/R E P E A T -- Salvation Army Still $8 Million away from Christmas Kettle
Campaign Goal in Final Week/

As Christmas Season Winds Down, Kettles Only Half Full

TORONTO, Dec. 20 /CNW/ - With Christmas only days away, The Salvation Army is calling on Canadians nationwide to support the Christmas Kettle Campaign. To date, The Salvation Army has collected $9.7 million in the nearly 2,000 kettles on street corners and at retail outlets nationwide, a little more than half of the campaign's $18 million goal. Kettles will remain on the street until Christmas Eve.

"The week prior to Christmas is always extremely important to the campaign, but we're asking Canadians to dig especially deep this year if we are going to reach our ambitious goal," said Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development for The Salvation Army in Canada. "Demand for Salvation Army service continues at record levels in many areas, so we're hopeful that giving will pick up in this final week."

The Salvation Army launched the innovative "Fill the Kettle" program this year, enabling donors - for the first time ever - to track donations at physical kettle locations across Canada throughout the season. Using Google technology, visitors to www.FilltheKettle.com can locate and even make a secure online donation directly to an individual kettle in their community. 

"Donations to The Salvation Army are critical for us at Christmas time, with many communities relying heavily on Christmas fundraising to operate programs throughout the year," said Moore. "With the money we collect in this year's Christmas Kettles, we will continue to work to restore hope and dignity for vulnerable individuals during the Christmas season and throughout 2011."

The 2010 Christmas Campaign helps The Salvation Army provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.6 million people in Canada each year, restoring hope and dignity to the most vulnerable in society. The Salvation Army's annual Christmas Campaign has grown into one of Canada's most significant and recognizable annual charitable events. Last year, more than $18 million was raised in the kettles nationwide, an all time record. The Salvation Army relies on the support of numerous corporate partners, including WalMart and Loblaw Companies Limited, which allow Christmas kettles to be placed at their stores each year.

Donations to the 2010 Christmas Campaign can be made at www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), at your local kettle, or via mail to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON M4H 1P4. Donors can also give by texting "HOPE" to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

For further information:

Andrew Burditt
Territorial Public Relations Director
416-845-8231
[email protected]
www.SalvationArmy.ca