Western PA Salvation Army Red Christmas Kettle Campaign Misses Goal By More Than $270,000 - Public Can Still Help

CARNEGIE, Pa., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With 24 of its 39 facilities in deficit, the Western Pennsylvania Salvation Army Division has missed its Red Christmas Kettle Campaign goal by more than $270,000.  The 2012 bar was set at $2,827,216.99 but only achieved a total of $2,553,893.38.  "Although we missed this year's goal, we did thankfully manage to do better than 2011," said Divisional Commander Major William H. Bode.  The 2011 goal was $2,994,619.58 and raised $2,496,785.33.  Within the 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division, $561,735.47 was donated at Walmart stores and $381,815.18 at area Giant Eagle markets.

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The most significant deficits are $60,608.51 in Pittsburgh's Northside and $46,203.84 at the Mt. Lebanon Pittsburgh Temple Corps.  Others include, Altoona, Beaver Falls, Corry, Dubois, Erie, Franklin, Greensburg, Huntingdon, Indiana, Johnstown, Meadville, McKeesport, Monessen, New Castle, New Kensington, Punxsutawney, Sharon/Mercer, Warren, Washington and Pittsburgh's Homewood, Steel Valley/Homestead, and Westside.  Allegheny County overall had the largest cumulative goal miss at nearly $150,000.

Kettle income is boosted by a few additional fundraisers including: Wendy's Restaurant Junior Frosty keytag promotion; KDKA Radio's Fred Honsberger Memorial Kettle; 3WS Radio's Annual Live Broadcast and Online Kettle; and the Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland Kettle Challenge which is still accepting donations via www.salvationarmywpa.org. Salvation Army fundraising, including the Red Christmas Kettle Campaign, and delivery of service are segmented according to zip code.  That means each facility in every community is independent of one another.  Money raised within a neighborhood remains there to support families specifically in that area.  Social support services are provided according to the resident's home address, minimizing duplication of service and stretching the donor dollar further.

Major Bode concluded, "The Salvation Army is grateful for every gift, no matter the size and we are truly humbled and appreciative of the generosity.  But, we would still warmly welcome any additional support."  Contributions can be made via web at www.salvationarmywpa.org.  Checks can be made to The Salvation Army with "Christmas Campaign" in the memo section and mailed to the facility of your choice or directly to Western Pennsylvania Divisional Headquarters at PO Box 742, 700 North Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106 and the funds will be credited back to the local community of your choice.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 126 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 onto www.salvationarmy-wpa.org.  The Salvation Army … Doing the most good . . . for the most people . . . in the most need.                                                            

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division