Salvation Army Kettles $6 Million Short of Goal as Christmas Campaign Enters Final Week

With Christmas a few short days away, The Salvation Army is calling on Canadians to help “fill the kettles” on street corners, store fronts and online as fundraising is still $6 million short of the $19 million goal. To date, The Salvation Army has collected $13 million in the nearly 2,000 kettles across the country, but Kettles will continue accepting donations until Christmas Eve.

“Many families are still struggling and we’re seeing that reflected in donations this year,” said Andrew Burditt, National Director of Marketing and Communications for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “With a significant portion of our annual fundraising revenue collected during the Christmas season, donations collected throughout the Christmas Campaign set the tone for the upcoming year and allow us to serve more than 1.7 million people with critical programs and services. We have raised a significant amount so far, but there is still a long way to go.”

Donors to The Salvation Army have a variety of ways to give this Christmas season. To donate online, Canadians can visit www.FilltheKettle.com to locate one of the nearly 2,000 kettle locations across the country. Using Google Maps technology, donors can make a secure online donation to a specific kettle in their local community. Donors also have the option to host their own personal iKettle at www.FilltheKettle.com/iKettle. This easy-to-use online tool allows supporters to become virtual bell-ringers for The Salvation Army, collecting needed funds for the local community. If supporters prefer to give in person, as always, they have the option to donate to the physical kettles that appear on street corners and at retail centres across the country.

“We recognize that times are tough, but we know that we can count on Canadians to dig deep,” said Burditt. “There has never been a more important time to give than now. Demand for Salvation Army programs and services continues to increase and we know we can count on the generosity of our donors to help meet the need.”

The 2011 Christmas Campaign helps The Salvation Army provide direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.7 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 $19 million was raised in the Christmas kettles nationwide. The Salvation Army relies on the support of numerous corporate partners, including Loblaw Companies Limited, Walmart Canada and many more, all of which allow Christmas kettles to be placed at their storefronts each year.

Donations to the 2011 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 support the 2011 Christmas Campaign by texting HOPE to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada. A $5 donation will be added to your monthly mobile bill.

 

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 please contact:
Andrew Burditt
National Director of Marketing and Communications
The Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org
www.SalvationArmy.ca