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GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Become a Bell-ringer for The Salvation Army and Help Raise Money for Those in Need in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, November 20, 2009 –The Salvation Army is asking people to give the gift of their time this holiday season and volunteer as a Red Kettle Campaign bell-ringer.
Every year, The Salvation Army serves thousands of people in need – sheltering the homeless and feeding the hungry. Ringing a bell at a Salvation Army kettle is an easy and fun way to give back to the community. It is a small action that has a huge impact for The Salvation Army.
“The Red Kettle Campaign is our largest single source of public support each year and the volunteer bell-ringers help make it all happen,’ said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander, The Salvation Army. “The bell-ringers help us raise enough money to fund our programs through the year. Their support is critical to our organization.”
In 2008, The Salvation Army in Memphis raised more than $372,000. This year, The Salvation Army hopes to raise $400,000.
“We have seen the need for our services grow by 21 percent in the last two years,” said Major Woodcock. “In order for us to meet these needs, which are at the core of our work, we have had to make difficult decisions elsewhere in our organization, including closing our daycare and laying-off staff. We are relying on this year’s Red Kettle Campaign volunteers to help us raise enough money so we can continue to do the most good for the people who come to us for help.”
The Salvation Army is asking for volunteers, companies and civic groups to become day captains for just one day during the Red Kettle Campaign. These day captains will be responsible for finding enough volunteers to ring the bell in shifts on that specific day. A typical day lasts 10 hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A day captain can structure the day in a variety of different ways – five individuals ringing in shifts of two hours, or 20 individuals ringing in pairs for one hour shifts. At the end of the day, Salvation Army officers will come to pick up the kettles at 6 p.m.
The Red Kettle Campaign runs Monday-Saturday, from Friday, November 20 through noon on Christmas Eve. The Salvation Army does not ring the bell on Sundays.
For more information, prospective volunteers or day captains should contact Elizabeth Duncan at (901) 260-9130. Additional information is available at www.salvationarmymemphis.org.
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 2008, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 20,700 people, provided more than 67,000 nights of lodging, and served 209,462 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.
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CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry
(901) 786-8221
Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260-9130
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