Salvation Army Kettle Takes on Technology; Online Giving Opportunities Meet a Changing Lifestyle

Salvation Army Kettle Takes on Technology; Online Giving Opportunities Meet a Changing Lifestyle

WPXI TV Channel 11/PCNC Take the Challenge

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Dual-career families, busy social lives and the increased demand for fundraising since Hurricane Katrina have all helped to push The Salvation Army into the fast lane of the information superhighway. The organization has launched a nationwide electronic campaign, encouraging individual donors, community groups and businesses to take the kettle challenge.

"While online giving is not a new idea," said Major Robert Reel, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander, "the approach that we are using has changed dramatically." The Online Red Kettle Campaign provides users with a simple way to customize and host a personal online kettle and challenge others to do the same. America's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, is the first national organization to participate in the new program. Locally, WPXI-TV Channel 11/PCNC is signing on locally to host their own page. "We are grateful that our local businesses are beginning to take the kettle challenge and be a part of this effort. Our hope is that others will follow their lead and do the same," said Reel.

Private individuals will also be able to customize and host a secured personal Internet page and automatically email friends and family members asking for their support in filling their kettle with online donations. Group Red Kettles offer civic organizations the ease of setting up their own kettle, enabling individuals within the group to fundraise, while pooling their donations for a combined goal. Local businesses can host their own online kettle and place the link on their Internet or Intranet site with up-to-date snapshots of their campaign totals.

100% of transactions are tax deductible and will stay in the communities where they were raised. Individuals will automatically receive an e-gift acknowledgement once a donation has been processed. To learn more about the online Red Kettle program, please visit http://www.salvationarmy-wpa.org/.

The Red Kettle campaign, first started in San Francisco in 1891, has traditionally been The Salvation Army's most prominent fund-raiser. In 2004, kettles generated more than $100 million in communities nationwide. In Western Pennsylvania, nearly two million dollars was raised. Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 109 countries worldwide.

Source: The Salvation Army

CONTACT: Ginny Knor, Divisional Director, Marketing-PR of The Salvation
Army, +1-412-394-4864

Web site: http://www.salvationarmy-wpa.org/

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