FALLING SHORT OF CHRISTMAS GOAL WILL BE CRITICAL TO PROVIDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED

Wauwatosa, WI (February 26, 2010)- The Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee announced today the organization’s 2009 Christmas Campaign raised $2.6 million, $400,000 short from the $3.0 million goal.  

Major Jesse G. Collins, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander said, “Meeting the Christmas goal was critical to helping families through the economic crisis and although Christmas is over donations may continue to be made to help us help families in Milwaukee who are still in great need. We are thankful to all of the caring people in this community who gave so selflessly in these trying times at Christmas.  The requests for assistance currently far outweigh our available resources.   We will have to make tough decisions about critical programs and services we provide to those most in need.  Our mission is not to turn families away. We are committed to providing assistance to as many families and individuals throughout Milwaukee as we can.  This can only happen with on going support of donations.  We are hopeful those that can give will do so in the coming days, weeks and months, as we continue to meet the daily emergency requests of the hungry, the homeless and the troubled throughout the year.”

The campaign kicked off on November 7, 2009. Generous donations were received from across the Milwaukee area through the traditional Red Kettle Campaign, direct mail contributions, on-line and text donations.  The donations received will be used for an array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, assistance for the disable and the ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for under privileged children.  Donations can be made to: The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters, 11315 W. Watertown Plank Rd., Wauwatosa, WI  53226 or call 1-800-264-6412.

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 84 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.