PRESS RELEASE
The Salvation Army Needs 2,600 Volunteers
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – October 22, 2009 – With the holiday season almost here, the Twin Cities Salvation Army needs 2,600 more volunteers – excluding bell ringers – to help with dozens of activities across the metro area from now until Christmas. So far, only about 1,800 volunteers have signed on.
Volunteer activities run the gamut: serving meals, wrapping gifts, organizing toys, data entry, fielding phone calls, giving toys or coats to children in need and much more.
Right now the biggest hole to fill is for Salvation Army Toy Shop, a program that provides toys to tens of thousands of families in crisis through distribution centers around the Twin Cities.
About 1,300 volunteers are needed in Roseville Nov. 9 – Dec. 22 to register families for Toy Shop. Activities include fielding calls, data entry and more.
Another 450 volunteers are needed Dec. 16 – 23 at Toy Shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Activities include stocking shelves, registering families and helping families pick out toys.
“The Salvation Army makes volunteering fun and easy by offering a host of activities at convenient locations across the Twin Cities metro area,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “We encourage the Twin Cities community to join our mission as we reach out to people in need during the season of giving.”
The Salvation Army also needs plenty of volunteer bell ringers. More than 100,000 hours of bell ringing are available Nov. 13 – Dec. 24 at 400 kettle sites across the Twin Cities. Shifts typically last two hours.
“Bell ringing is one of the simplest, most effective ways for volunteers to make a difference in the lives of people in need,” Leedom said.
For more information about Salvation Army volunteer activities, or to register, please click here or call 651-746-3400.
Families needing Christmas assistance may call 651-746-3595 from Nov. 9 – Dec. 10.
The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people a year through its 25 local centers of operation. Daily it serves 2,000 hot meals and shelters 850 people. More than 14,000 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide a multitude of services, from child daycare to senior housing. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
