Salvation Army Bell Ringers Have a Lot More to be Happy About! - Salvation Army Receives Matching Pledge from Wal-Mart - Wal-Mart Will Match Red Kettle Contributions at its Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Clubs Nationwide

The Salvation Army announced today that it has received a matching gift commitment from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to benefit The Salvation Armys Red Kettle holiday fundraising campaign. Beginning Friday, December 17, the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club Foundation will match customers contributions made to Salvation Army Red Kettles at more than 3,600 Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, and SAM'S CLUBS nationwide through Christmas Eve, up to $1 million. The contributions will serve needy families in more than 9,000 communities across the country.

(PRWEB) December 18, 2004 -- The Salvation Army announced today that it has received a matching gift commitment from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to benefit The Salvation Armys Red Kettle holiday fundraising campaign. Beginning Friday, December 17, the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club Foundation will match customers contributions made to Salvation Army Red Kettles at more than 3,600 Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, and SAM'S CLUBS nationwide through Christmas Eve, up to $1 million. The contributions will serve needy families in more than 9,000 communities across the country.

This is a huge endorsement of what we do and how we spend our money. We are so grateful to Wal-Mart in Broward County for their support of our Red Kettle Campaign.," said Captain Steve Morris, Broward Area Commander.

The $1 million pledge builds on Wal-Marts ongoing commitment to helping The Salvation Army support needy families in local communities throughout the year. Wal-Mart and the Salvation Army work together on many activities including disaster relief efforts, feeding the hungry, and providing resources to address needs within the communities they serve.

Each year, thousands of Salvation Army Red Kettles serve as collection stations around the nation beginning the day after Thanksgiving, and continuing through Christmas Eve. Donations to the Red Kettles stay local, supporting programs in the communities in which they were received. Last year, $93 million was raised through kettles, including over $12 million raised in front of Wal-Mart and SAMS CLUBS, and helped The Salvation Army provide assistance for almost 33 million people in need throughout the United States.

Through 9,000 centers of operation in local communities, The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, companionship to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, opportunities for underprivileged children, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and many more services.

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