The Salvation Army Western PA Division Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Official Kick Off

CARNEGIE, Pa., Nov. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- You've seen Black Friday deals before Black Friday, and many have seen The Salvation Army's Red Kettles already collecting donations at smaller retail establishments in many communities since early November.  The official kick off to The Western Pennsylvania Division's Annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, however, traditionally begins with its two largest retail partner locations, Giant Eagle and WalMart.  At most Giant Eagle stores in the region, kettles are out the day before Thanksgiving, and on Black Friday at Walmart stores all over Western PA.  Throughout The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania's 39 Worship and Service Centers, 10 Service Centers and 107 Service Units, the campaign will officially be in full force by November 24th.  The Salvation Army is hopeful to achieve the overall goal for the division, set this year at $2,780,000, which will help to enable meeting needs in each community in which it operates.  Allegheny County's portion of that goal is set at $731,000.  Goals are based on each of the facility's individual budgets and anticipated needs for the current fiscal year. 

"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 Deborah Sedlar.  "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."

Giving Tuesday, held this year on November 28^th, brings to the forefront what the holidays are really about for many generous people, and that is helping others in need.  After the mad rush of shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, it's time to set the commercialism of the season aside and celebrate the joy of giving to those less fortunate.  The Salvation Army and WISH 99.7 will be celebrating with an event for sponsors and clients involved in the station's first ever "12 Wishes of Christmas" program.  12 families who have had a tough run of luck and need some help this holiday season have been selected by The Salvation Army to have their wishes granted, and stories will be shared, one per day for 12 days.  Also on Giving Tuesday, The Salvation Army will be partnering with Entercom Communications (formerly CBS Radio), with a live broadcast with KDKA FM 93.7 The Fan during the afternoon of November 28^th, downtown in market square and will be rolling out new technology, allowing donors who aren't carrying cash to give very quickly and securely in about two seconds, using "Dip Jars". 

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.redkettlereason.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

Related Links

http://www.wpa.salvationarmy.org