The Salvation Army Western PA Division Christmas Kettle Campaign in the Red after Black Friday Weekend
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday… not kind to Kettles this year
CARNEGIE, Pa., Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the Christmas season, not just for shoppers looking for the best deals on Black Friday, but also for The Salvation Army's annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.
Throughout The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania's 36 Worship and Service Centers, 6 Service Centers and 108 Service Units, the campaign was out in full force last weekend, with volunteers manning kettles at a large number of retailers including grocery stores, big box stores and mall locations. The goal is to raise $2.5 million by Christmas.
The Kettle Campaign supports much more than just holiday programs and services, it provides the funds to help those in need throughout the year.
Each center sets an individual goal based on their annual budgets and anticipated needs for the year ahead. Of the $2.5 million goal, nearly $650,000 is needed to support the programs and services in Allegheny County; $328,000 is the goal in Westmoreland county, and other goals range from $28,000 in Kittanning to $160,000 in Erie.
"When you give to The Salvation Army, you can be assured that your donation is helping people right in your local community," said Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division, Major Raphael Jackson. "We provide a wide range of programs and services to assist those in need, not only during the holidays, but 365 days a year. That simply could not happen without the generosity of our donors and volunteers."
Right now, we are running behind by $70,000 compared to last year at this time. We need the help and support of the community and local businesses to help meet the needs of our neighbors in every community in western Pennsylvania.
Volunteer bell ringers and additional kettle sites are always needed. Please contact your local Salvation Army for more information. In Allegheny County, please call Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Brown at 412.446.1548.
You can also donate from the comfort of your home or office by contributing to our Online Red Kettle. To help even more, it's easy to set up your own red kettle and ask your contacts to contribute online as well. Corporations can host company kettles and set up departments as teams to organize a fun internal competition. Conduct your own kettle campaign or donate yourself at www.salvationarmy-wpa.org. For more information or help with Online Kettles, please contact Lauren Brant at 412.446.1644.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 129 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
SOURCE The Salvation Army Western PA Division
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