Western PA Salvation Army 2008 Red Kettle Campaign Just Misses Goal - More Than Half...

Western PA Salvation Army 2008 Red Kettle Campaign Just Misses Goal - More
Than Half of All Locations Down - Clients Increased

CARNEGIE, Pa., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army's Western
Pennsylvania Division just missed its $2,445,000 goal by $44,258.10. More
than half of The Salvation Army's forty-one Worship and Service Centers and
facilities failed to meet their 2008 kettle goals and/or lagged behind 2007
figures. Nineteen of the organization's locations both superseded goals and
2007 kettle income. However, thousands more needy sought assistance, placing
a strain on all facilities. "More than 10,000 individuals over and above
2007's rolls sought food and other social service assistance this Christmas
season," said Major Robert Reel, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania
Divisional Commander. He continued, "In Allegheny County, our toy requests
alone rose by 12,000. We assumed there would be an increase, but never
imagined the high volume."

Kettles that are behind 2007 figures and did not meet their set goals include
the following fourteen areas of service. Allegheny Valley; Beaver Falls;
Corry; Dubois; Ellwood City; Erie; Greenville; Johnstown; Latrobe; McKeesport;
Meadville; Steel Valley (Homestead); Uniontown; and Allegheny County General
Services. Deficits range from a low of $707.77 in Latrobe to a high of
$32,564.77 in Erie. Although eight locations met their goal, they raised less
funds than 2007. They include: Bradford; Butler; Chartiers Valley (Carnegie);
Kittanning; Monessen; Oil City; Punxsutawney; and Warren. Nineteen areas that
both exceeded their goals and 2007 kettle income are: Aliquippa; Altoona;
Braddock; Franklin; Greensburg; Huntingdon; Indiana; Jeannette; Kiski Valley;
New Castle; New Kensington; Pittsburgh'sHomewood, Northside, downtown Temple
Corps, and Westside; Ridgway; Rochester; Sharon/Mercer; and Washington.

Online giving totaled $84,196.78. 1-800-Sal-Army phone donations brought an
additional $6,214.05. In 2007, the Wendy's keytag promo landed an additional
$23,000. It is expected that this year's figures will surpass that total. "We
are in the process of sorting through these donations and directing them to
the appropriate geographic location," said Major Reel. He continued, "It is a
tedious process, but our hope is that these three funding streams will help to
ease the strain in our deficit communities."

Salvation Army Red Kettles account for roughly 10% to 20% of each local
Worship and Service Center's budget. In smaller communities with fewer
resources, they play an even larger role in fundraising. Money raised within
a neighborhood stays in that location and supports families specifically in
that area. Fundraising through Red Kettles is segmented or dedicated to the
communities in which it is raised. "We are deeply grateful to the public
because we know everyone is hurting," said Reel. He continued, "Despite the
financial downturn, our kettles brought in $134,000 more than 2007. We are
blessed no matter how you look at the numbers."

Founded in 1865 in London, England by William and Catherine Booth, The
Salvation Army is both a social service organization and a church. It
provides valuable support programs in 111 countries worldwide. The Salvation
Army . . . Doing the most good for the most people in the most need.

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

Ginny Knor, Divisional Director, Marketing/PR of Salvation Army Western
Pennsylvania Division, +1-412-446-1642