The Salvation Army Calls for Volunteers to Participate in 2008 Online Red Kettle

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, November 14, 2008 – Memphians can participate in one of the largest and most visible Christmas programs in the world from the comfort (and warmth) of their own home or business by setting up an Online Red Kettle. The Salvation Army's Online Red Kettle provides a convenient way for people to support the organization during the busy holiday season, while capturing the iconic feel of bell-ringing.

Local individuals, businesses and organizations can host their own "virtual" kettle through The Salvation Army's national Web site. Online kettles can be personalized with photos, descriptions of why an individual or a group is "ringing," and provides a very easy way to track who has donated to the kettle.

As part of the Online Red Kettle, virtual bell-ringers can download widgets to add to Web sites or blogs, as well as add their Online Red Kettle to the popular social networking site Facebook.com.

"The Online Red Kettle provides a way for individuals, businesses and organizations that don't typically have time to physically ring the bell for us, to still support The Salvation Army," said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander, The Salvation Army. "It is a very easy and simple way to participate in one of the country's longest running Christmas campaigns. Whether people want to host their own Online Red Kettle, or just donate to a friend's, their support is greatly appreciated."

Some of the features of the Online Red Kettle program include:

Donors can contribute to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign from the comfort of their own home.
E-gift receipts are provided for every online donation and can be used to verify tax deductions.
Individuals are able to customize and host a personal online kettle, set a fundraising goal and automatically e-mail friends and family members asking for their support in filling their kettle with online donations.
The new Facebook component allows individual Kettle hosts to easily encourage their network of friends to give to the virtual Kettle on their Facebook profile.
Group Red Kettles allow civic-minded organizations and businesses the ability to pool their donations for an enterprise-wide goal. They can also track and view an up-to-date snapshot of giving totals.

The Salvation Army volunteers and employees will still be ringing the bell outside various retail stores throughout the Memphis-area. The Online Red Kettle is meant to compliment the traditional bell-ringing efforts.

All the money raised locally through both the traditional kettles and the Online Red Kettles will go to the Memphis Salvation Army to fund year-round programs such as homeless shelters, emergency family services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and children's programs. As the economy tightens, more people are turning to The Salvation Army for help. Every donation enables The Salvation Army to work with these people to get them back on their feet.

Anyone interested in setting up an Online Red Kettle can do so at www.onlineredkettle.com.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army's work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

In 2007, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 17,855 people, provided more than 65,000 nights of lodging, and served 208,251 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.

CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130