Over One Million Dollars Still Needed - Salvation Army Depending On Generosity Of Western Pennsylvanians To Reach Kettle Christmas Campaign Funding Goal In Final Days of Campaign

 

Carnegie, PA, December 21, 2016:  According to the Week 4 kettle campaign reports (which include totals through Saturday, December 16), The Salvation Army still has over $1 million to raise to meet the overall  goal of $2,730,000 for the 28-county Western PA Division’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.  However, historically speaking, it is quite typical for the campaign to raise 40 to 50 percent of the goal in the final week preceding Christmas.  The campaign is at 58 percent of goal as of the end of Week 4.

 

“We’ve always been blessed by the generosity of last minute shoppers in the past, and we are praying that this trend will continue.  However, we are a little concerned that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year.  We do not have kettle collections on Sundays, and Christmas Eve has always been a big day for us,”said Major Deb Sedlar, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Western PA Division.  Sedlar added: “We want to remind folks that when they contribute in a kettle in their community, those funds stay right there to help their neighbors in need and we ask people to be as generous as possible through Saturday the 23^rd.”

 

Major Thomas Lyle, Allegheny County Coordinator reported that although The Allegheny County locations are doing fairly well as a whole, certain areas are struggling.  Those include Braddock, Homewood, Pittsburgh Temple and Pittsburgh Westside.  “I am hopeful that people continue to feel the need to give through our kettles as generously as possible, or to send in checks before the end of the year.  Those who contribute for the added advantage of tax benefits only have until December 31^st to do so.  Depending on how individuals file their taxes next year, those benefits may no longer be available due to the tax reform laws that were recently passed,”said Lyle.  “However, we trust that there are many people who will give to organizations in which they believe, regardless,” he added.

 

If you don’t pass by an iconic red kettle, you can give online at:  redkettlereason.org  with a credit card over our secure site.  To help even more, individuals, corporations, clubs, and service organizations are being encouraged to set-up their own online kettles.  For more information on how to set up an online kettle, please contact Divisional Director of Fundraising, Lauren Brant at 412.446.1644 or lauren.brant@use.salvationarmy.org.

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.