The Western Division of the Central Territory includes: Iowa; Nebraska and South Dakota. The Western Divisional Headquarters is located in Omaha, NE.
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Salvation Army Red Kettles Set New Record
$139 Million Donated to Nation's Longest Running Annual Fundraiser
Alexandria, VA (March 16, 2010) - Despite the continued economic recession, U.S. donors contributed a record-breaking $139 million in nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars to The Salvation Army's iconic Red Kettle Campaign, which now includes an increasing Internet presence, in addition to traditional kettles and bell ringers. The results were a seven percent increase over 2008's $130 million record, and were especially needed as demand for social services skyrocketed. The Salvation Army embraced several new outreach methods in 2009; again relying heavily on volunteers, celebrity endorsement and corporate partners for the nation's longest running annual fundraising campaign.
"America is an incredibly generous nation and philanthropy is alive and well, despite the current economic conditions impacting so many," said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, National Commander of The Salvation Army. "We are grateful for every donor, volunteer and corporate partner for supporting The Salvation Army's mission by giving more than ever during a time when some have so little to give."
The Red Kettle campaign was launched on Thanksgiving Day, during the Dallas Cowboys nationally televised football game, with a performance by rock band Daughtry. Red Kettles were set up in front of retail stores and in shopping malls in an estimated 25,000 locations across America. Bell ringers encouraged donors to support a broad array of programs and services for people in need, including providing food, shelter, rent, substance abuse treatment and Christmas assistance for more than 28 million Americans The Salvation Army serves each year.
"Our local Corps units are reporting demand for social services that is more than 400 percent above normal in some cases," said Commissioner Gaither. "We needed help this year and Americans, as well as corporate partners responded in a big way."
Hundreds of other retailers allowed Salvation Army bell ringers to set up kettles in front of their stores, including several corporate partners. Red Kettles located at Walmart and Sam's Club stores accounted for as much as 29 percent of the total given to Red Kettles. The Walmart Foundation also made a direct donation of $1.25 million to the Red Kettle Campaign.
Kroger stores also hosted Salvation Army Red Kettles at nearly 2,000 stores in 2009. Donations at Kroger stores raised approximately $11.3 million or eight percent of the campaign's physical Red Kettle total.
Target continued its support for The Salvation Army by donating more than $1.25 million to the organization in the form of cash and in-kind donations during the Christmas season. New to its support, Target collaborated with Hasbro, Inc. for a special promotion with Hasbro giving five percent of the purchase price of select Hasbro toys bought exclusively at Target from December 6 to December 12 directly to the Army.
In addition to hosting kettles at its stores, JCPenney in partnership with The Salvation Army, launched the first-ever Online Angel Giving Tree Program, at www.jcp.com/angel. The program allowed individuals to "adopt" Salvation Army "Angels" from across the country and deliver their requested gifts via the Internet.
Through the first year of implementing this online program, more than tens of thousands of children and seniors in need were adopted.
In addition, The Weather Channel promoted a compilation CD featuring a Salvation Army-themed single entitled, "Please Don't Forget," performed by Grammy Award winner Aaron Neville.
"Christmas wouldn't be the same without this element of compassion and charity towards others," said Commissioner Gaither. "And, we simply couldn't help millions of Americans during the season without the support of so many people and organizations."
The Salvation Army also developed a free application for the Apple iPhone that featured a virtual Red Kettle bell. More than 59,000 applications were downloaded in 47 countries, allowing users to ring a digital bell in a variety of tones by shaking their phone.
In Detroit, an anonymous donor sponsored, "Coin Catch," a web-based video game that made micro-donations to the organization based on player's success. It was available to anyone around the world at:
www.salarmycoincatch.com.
For the fifth year, The Salvation Army empowered donors to raise money with family, friends and colleagues through an Online Red Kettle (www.onlineredkettle.org) system. More than $1.9 million was donated through this method, a 100 percent increase over 2008. This amount is in addition to the money raised in physical kettles at retailers. Other online donations in November and December, not through the Online Red Kettle system, totaled $9.6 million, a 5.6 percent increase over the $9.2 million raised in 2008.
Across the Internet, The Salvation Army took advantage of Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networks to promote volunteerism and encourage giving. "By improving our digital outreach strategy, The Salvation Army is adapting to the changing ways in which people interact," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "The Red Kettles have been a remarkable success for more than a century, and we are building on that for a new generation of donors," he said.
From its humble beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable outreach efforts in the United States.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to
www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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Robotics Championship of the Americas
March 19-20th, 2010
Teams from North and South America have been invited to meet in robot-to-robot competition March 19 - March 20 at Omaha's Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y Street, for the second annual Robotics Championship of the Americas.
Approximately 100 teams are expected to compete in divisions for 4th & 5th grades, middle schools and high schools. Each team brings a robot that they have created for the games. The teams are paired in alliances that test not only their technical skills and understanding of technology, but also the ability to collaborate. There will be an opening ceremony from 10:45 - 11:05 am on Friday morning at the Kroc Center followed by the qualifying rounds.
On Saturday, the competition continues with exciting playoffs culminating in the final head-to-head competition deciding the tournament champion in each division. The event closes with an awards ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of these young innovators, followed by a team celebration..
For a complete schedule of events visit the Robotics Championship of the Americas event page at: http://www.create-found.org/RoboticChampionship.php
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The Salvation Army in Haiti
Bringing Healing, Wholeness, and Hope
The Salvation Army continues to be a beacon of hope for individuals and families whose lives were devastated by the earthquake. While the Haiti Relief Team maintains support and provides assistance for 20,000 individuals in an area adjacent to their compound in Port-au-Prince, they have reached out to other areas of the country - diligently meeting needs at the point of need at the time of need. There has been a steady, marked improvement in the overall situation in the four weeks since the earthquake. Our own operation has been refined with improved local logistics, communication, accommodation. In addition, better coordination of air traffic means transportation for freight is improved, as well. Relief ministries include the following:
· The Salvation Army Relief Team has established service compounds in three communities - Port-au-Prince, Petit Goave (Satellite), and Jacmel (Satellite). In addition, services are provided to the communities of Croix-des-Bouquets (6 mi east of PAP) and Balan (18 mi east of PAP).
· After being alerted by personnel from the Canadian Military, The Army's Jacmel Assessment Team investigated Decouze, which is a rural site between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. The team discovered 500 families who had been completely without outside help since the earthquake. The community was clearly in shock but grateful that, finally, "someone from a foreign land had noticed their plight." A determination of future service will be made in the coming days.
· The Salvation Army is being recognized internationally as an expert in effectively and efficiently handling this crisis. WORLD Magazine published an article on February 2nd highlighting this phenomenon. Excerpts include the following: "The UN estimates that as many as 1 million people are homeless, and UN emergency coordinator John Holmes acknowledged that aid delivery remains painfully slow. But in other parts of town, private aid groups are quietly getting work done...[The Army distributed] an estimated 552,000 meals [in] less than four hours...While the UN grapples with the maddening conditions of delivering aid in Haiti, groups like The Salvation Army are proving a point: Some of the best aid is coming from the groups with long standing connections on the ground...Despite the damage, within days Salvation Army staffers formed a plan to be the lead group providing care for a crowd nearing 20,000 people near their compound. At a UN meeting last Monday, The Salvation Army was one of just five non-governmental organizations with a concrete plan for managing a camp."
· In order to increase efficiency, a UPS Trackpad Project is being developed. The Trackpads, provided by UPS, are laptop/handheld scanner/laminated ID cards with barcodes, which will monitor which families receive food at the Point-au-Prince distribution point. This project is expected to begin within the coming weeks.
· The Salvation Army distributed food, blankets, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, and hygiene kits to 600 families from the Jacmel compound.
· In collaboration with World Concern, The Salvation Army distributed hygiene kits at the Port-au-Prince distribution point.
· Well over 200 people being treated each day.
THE SALVATION ARMY PRESENCE IN HAITI (PRE-EMERGENCY)
The Salvation Army has been officially working in Haiti since 1950. Our present assets in the country include:
· 63 Commissioned Salvation Army Officers
· 161 Employees
· 39 Corps and 23 Outposts (Worship and Community Centers)
· 5 Social Institutions (Clinics, Children's Homes)
· 46 Schools with 443 Teachers
INITIAL EMERGENCY PRIORITIES
The Salvation Army's initial Emergency Assessment has confirmed the following priorities, in order of immediate importance:
1. Water - Safe drinking water
2. Nutrition - Food
3. Medical Assistance - Medical supplies and treatment
4. Shelter
5. Trauma, grief, and spiritual counseling
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950 and its personnel who were affected by the earthquake are now working to assist others in need
· The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.
About The Salvation Army USA
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
For more information on the Haiti relief effort, click here
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SALVATION ARMY OFFERS HOPE IN TIMES OF STRESS
With today's economy, just making it through the day can be tough. That's why The Salvation Army provides an array of mental health programs and services. Last year, The Salvation Army helped more than 540 people in the Omaha area manage their mental health challenges.
The Salvation Army Transitional Residential Program (TRP), focuses on assisting individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The program offers workshops in self empowerment, stabilization and transition into community based services. The Salvation Army also offers an Emergency Community Support Program (ECSP), a 90-day program designed to help individuals control their behavioral health issues with advocacy, crisis management and service coordination.
Another Salvation Army service, known as the Peer Support Program, allows individuals facing mental health problems to talk with someone who has been in their shoes. Tom Rundall, a peer specialist for The Salvation Army, was once a participant in ECSP and TRP. He said that the Peer Support Program can make recovery from mental illness a reality.
"Having lived through similar experiences as the people I'm serving, we are able to relate to each other in ways that other service providers are not," Rundall said. "The changes that have taken place in my life serve as evidence of what can be accomplished when hope, support and encouragement are provided."
For more information on The Salvation Army programs and services, visit www.givesalvationarmy.org.
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The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center
Omaha, Nebraska
The Salvation Army in Omaha, Nebraska has an established history of providing high quality comprehensive care to people needing assistance in the Omaha area. Currently, The Salvation Army operates a multi-service campus located at 3612 Cuming Street, providing a variety of services to individuals and families across all life stages and circumstances. This facility is unique in the nation in terms of the variety of diverse programming offered on-site: including child and youth care; material assistance; case management and community support; behavioral health services; transitional housing programs; socio-educational and support groups; jail outreach, senior services and spiritual care if requested. The Lied Renaissance Center campus is a micro-comunity with more than 200 people living on the campus on any given day. Such an array of residential care and services provide unparalled access within a holistic, integrated, and caring community environment. Below are some of the faces that have travelled through one of our programs.
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