The Salvation Army Western PA Division's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Off To A Slow Start Compared To Last Year - Hoping for "#GivingTuesday" Boost Today

CARNEGIE, Pa., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just as retailers are feeling a little nervous after the results of the biggest shopping weekend of the year, The Salvation Army is concerned about the slow start of its Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, which is currently at only 15% of the divisional goal of $2,812,732.  And, as much as retailers look to Black Friday and Cyber Monday for boosts in their numbers, The Salvation Army is hoping that today's "#GivingTuesday" push for donations will spark its campaign.

#GivingTuesday is an international day of generosity that empowers individuals to make donations to important causes on the Tuesday following the shopping frenzies of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Last year nonprofit organizations collected more than $116M (up from $45M in 2014) fueled by the power of more than 1.5B media impressions with collaborations from the likes of Google, Facebook, Twitter, the White House, and news outlets around the globe.  And following the trends of online shopping, online giving, and easy mobile options are being provided by The Salvation Army this year.  Donors can text: GiveWPA to 71777 to give an online donation of any amount of their choosing using their credit card, and if they are inspired to help even more, they can very easily set up their own online red kettle to solicit donations for The Salvation Army from their contacts.  From their computers, they can access the online red kettle at wpa.salvationarmy.org.

"The Salvation Army provides critical services to the most vulnerable among us, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.  As needs continue to grow, we pray that the good people of Western Pennsylvania will continue to feel the call to support their local communities through The Salvation Army.  I believe they know they can trust us to do the most good," said Major Deb Sedlar, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania.  

"In Allegheny County, we are currently behind where we were for the same time period last year by over $25,000, so I'm asking Pittsburghers in particular to please be as generous as possible when they see a Red Kettle or to give online," urged Major Tom Lyle, Allegheny County Coordinator.   Three of the eight Allegheny County Salvation Army Centers that are currently at single digit percentage of goal are Pittsburgh Temple, McKeesport and Steel Valley.  Outside of Allegheny County the areas of Bradford, Butler, Greenville, Meadville and Warren are furthest behind their goals.    

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 128 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.

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SOURCE Salvation Army Western PA Division

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http://wpa.salvationarmy.org/