The Salvation Army was founded in London, England, in 1865 by William Booth. It is now an international organization with divisions in 100 countries throughout the world. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.




Services and Programs
The Salvation Army, Empire State Division, oversees both the spiritual and social service programs of 47 corps and community centers in Upstate New York.

In most corps, Salvation Army officers, who are ordained ministers, direct the centers. Facilities often include at least a community center and chapel. Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo have larger commands known as Area Services. Additional staff and directors run programs at some of these larger facilities.

Volunteers, of course, are always in great demand in all communities -- to provide support for key programs and to help raise funds to maintain programs. Most corps have a volunteer advisory board made up of community leaders who make recommendations to help the Army in its day to day operations.

Each corps focuses on the specific needs of the community. Click here for a list of all Empire State Corps and Area Services with highlights of their programs. Service Units are located in small communities and are overseen by regional field reps.
Volunteers are the backbone of Service Unit programs. They are the front line respondents to family emergencies - the primary service of The Salvation Army in these areas. Assistance may take the form of food, travel expenses to doctors, heating expenses in a crisis.

Local service unit committees may also choose unique projects which could benefit their communities. Around the state, committees have recommended such projects as: emergency prescriptions, scholarships, school supplies for needy children, gifts for seniors alone during the holidays. Committees often choose to provide summer camperships to needy children. These children earn scholarships to Long Point Camp - a beautiful facility on Seneca Lake which is operated and maintained by The Salvation Army and the generosity of beneficiaries. Another camp is available in the state, Troutburg, run by Rochester Area Services.

The Red Kettle effort, which begins in mid-November and lasts until Christmas eve, is the primary source of funding for Service Unit projects and emergency assistance to local families, individuals and children.

The holiday mail appeal and other individual fund raising projects supplement the Red Kettle effort.

Extra volunteers to ring the bells are critical during the Red Kettle effort.

To volunteer as a bellringer in your community or to get more information about your local service unit, call The Kettle Center at 1-877-764-7259 or click here.

If you need assistance, you may contact The Salvation Army through the 800-836-7630 toll free or you may e-mail us.