PRESS RELEASE
Can The Salvation Army Raise a
Half-Million
Dollars in One Day?
Anonymous donor helping offset $2 million loss by providing
$250,000
in matching funds for donations made Dec. 23
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – December 22, 2008 – Of all the days people can give this Christmas season, The Salvation Army is begging Twin Cities residents to donate on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
The reason? A Salvation Army donor has provided $250,000 in matching funds for all donations made that day.
“That means a $100 donation will be worth $200, a $1,000 donation will be worth $2,000, and so on,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “If the community donates a total of $250,000, we will have raised $500,000 in just one day.”
The donor has issued the match to help The Salvation Army offset a
$2 million decline in Christmas Campaign donations. As of today, The Salvation Army has raised $4.51 million, compared to the $6.54 million it raised a year ago. The overall Campaign goal is $8.5 million.
Giving to The Salvation Army on Dec. 23 is easy:
● Donate online.
● Call 800-SAL-ARMY. Designate your gift “Dec. 23 Twin Cities Match.”
● Donate at any of 400 metro area kettle sites.
● Mail a check postmarked Dec. 23, 2008 to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113.
● Donate stock or IRA funds by calling 651-746-3504.
● Watch Fox 9 News broadcasts at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Each show will include a Salvation Army phone-a-thon encouraging viewers to join in the $250,000 challenge.
“The success of our Christmas Campaign hinges on Dec. 23,” said Leedom, adding that red kettles vanish Dec. 24. “The thousands of people we serve are depending on the Twin Cities community to come through.”
In addition to the $250,000 challenge, local sponsors will triple-match donations made Dec. 23 at more than a dozen kettle sites across the Twin Cities metro area. Click here for a list of these kettle sites.
As of today The Salvation Army has provided Christmas gifts to nearly 36,000 children. It has also provided gifts to 600 seniors and has made 3,200 visits to nursing homes and other facilities.
The Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in the Twin Cities and is a safety net for those with no place to turn. We serve 2,100 hot meals every day and house more than 850 people every night. 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.
