$3 Million Critical to Maintain Programs & Services

Wauwatosa - The Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee is at 73% of its $3 million Christmas Campaign goal. To date donations total $2,265,808. Although Red Kettles will not be seen or heard again until next Christmas, Milwaukee residents still have an opportunity to give through January 31, 2010. Donations can be made on line at www.SAmilwaukee.orgor by mailing your donation to: The Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee, P.O. Box 26019, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or text a $10 donation to SALARMY at 52000.

“The money donated during our annual Christmas Campaign will help to keep critical programs and services in place for those most in need. We’ve seen a 30% increase in basic needs in 2009. In order to continue to address emergency requests we must meet or surpass our $3 million dollar goal,” said Major Jesse G. Collins, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander.

“More than 1,400 individuals a month received assistance from our food pantry in 2009, compared to an average of 1,200 a month in 2008. On Christmas Day we served 7,750 people more than 4,500 pounds of turkey at our 20th Annual Christmas Family Feast. One of the most enjoyable and rewarding services we provide is giving toys to children. In 2008 we registered 13,822 children to receive toys. In 2009, we registered an alarming 15,344 children for toys at Christmas. Every child received toys. These numbers speak volumes to the many individuals and families who are in need in Milwaukee County,” said Debra Lewis, Salvation Army social service director.

Donations will help to sustain vital programs and services. In Milwaukee County, The Salvation Army provided 742,059 instances of service in 2009 and operates 42 on going programs. Those programs and services include, emergency housing, food and clothing, utility and rent assistance, employment services, summer meal programs for children and disaster relief.

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 87 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.SAmilwaukee.org.