/R E P E A T -- Tents for Haiti: Salvation Army Thrift Stores Fundraise for
One Thousand Temporary Shelters/

Donations to buy United Nations approved tents for earthquake survivors

TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - The Salvation Army has launched a new program to raise money for temporary housing in Haiti. Starting today, Canadians who visit one of the hundreds of participating Salvation Army Thrift Stores locations nationwide can donate funds at the cash-register that will be used to purchase more than 1000 tents for Salvation Army relief camps in Haiti.

"Right now, the focus of our work is shifting and the Tents for Haiti program is a unique way that Canadians can stay involved," said Commissioner William Francis, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada & Bermuda. "We continue to serve immediate needs, but we're also beginning to address longer-term issues, like housing, especially in the lead-up to Haiti's rainy season this spring."

Right now, in Haiti there are more than 200,000 homes severely damaged or destroyed and 1.2 million people homeless or displaced by last month's earthquake. The Salvation Army has signed an agreement to purchase tents, approved by the United Nations, for temporary housing. These tents will be used at relief camps in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and surrounding areas.

Many of the tents provide sufficient housing for a small family or group of four people. In Canada, each participating Salvation Army Thrift Store has set an individual goal to raise a minimum of $500 which is enough money to buy at least one tent.

"This program allows our Thrift Store shoppers to make a concrete contribution to the on-going crisis in Haiti," said John Kershaw, Managing Director for The Salvation Army's National Recycling Operations. "A gift can be designated either as a point of sale or cash donation, and the money will be used to purchase tents for Salvation Army relief camps."

In January, the United Nations designated The Salvation Army as a "lead agency" for Haiti's disaster relief work. Since then, the organization has set-up a number of operations providing basic care, including housing, clean water, medical services and basic hygiene products.

"Our work in Haiti has never stopped," said Commissioner Francis. "On the same day that the earthquake struck, The Salvation Army began providing disaster relief services. We've worked in country for 60 years, and we'll continue to serve Haiti through its rebuilding and redevelopment."

To date, The Salvation Army has $5.0 million in donations from the Canadian public, and more than $200,000 in donations were raised through the Army's Text-to-Donate program.

General donations to The Salvation Army's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund can be made by visiting www.tents4haiti.ca, calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), or by mailing your donation to The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1P4.

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 119 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, [phone], [email protected], www.SalvationArmy.ca