The Salvation Army Launches Online Red Kettle Campaign; Wal-Mart is First Organization to Host Their Own Virtual Red Kettle to Benefit More Than 34 Million Needy Americans Recovering from All Types of Personal Disasters

Business Wire, Nov 23, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- The Salvation Army launched the first National Online Red Kettle Campaign with America's largest retailer, Wal-Mart -- the first national organization to participate in the new program. For the first time, individuals and organizations nationwide can help The Salvation Army raise funds for those in need this Christmas season by hosting their own "virtual" red kettles on their personal, group or company website. The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.

"We're making it easier for the growing numbers of people shopping and paying bills online to help the growing numbers of Americans in need of hope this holiday season," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "Funds donated to Red Kettles benefit people recovering from all kinds of personal disasters, ranging from unanticipated home heating costs to the loss of a job, more than any other social services charity."

"We're pleased to extend our long history of supporting The Salvation Army through this new Red Kettle program," said Betsy Reithemeyer, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Executive Director, Wal-Mart & SAM'S CLUB Foundation. "We hope others will join us in helping their neighbors by ringing the bell this holiday season both on and offline for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign."

The online Red Kettle campaign will enable individuals, groups, businesses and organizations to use the Internet's communication capabilities.

--Individuals will be able to customize and host a personal online kettle 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 an organizational goal.

--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 sign up to be a virtual bell-ringer and participate in the online Red Kettle program, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Last year's pilot program of The Online Red Kettle Christmas Campaign in West Coast states realized an average donation of $95 increasing online donations by 36%.

The Red Kettle campaign, first started in San Francisco in 1891, has traditionally been The Salvation Army's most prominent fundraiser. In 2004, the campaign raised over $100 million in communities nationwide, with the nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars all remaining in the towns where the money was deposited into the kettles. The funds raised help support many of the 37 million people in poverty who turn to the Army for food and toys at Christmas, utility and homeless assistance, senior and child care, drug abuse treatment and many other social service needs.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmysocal.org.