Alexandria, VA (November 5, 2003) – The Salvation Army, one of the largest charitable and service organizations in the world, today announced that two of the most popular holiday fundraising programs – the Red Kettle and Angel Giving Tree – are now available online through www.salvationarmyusa.org. Donors who wish to help their neighbors in need this holiday season can do so with just the click of a mouse.

“Several years of economic uncertainty are leading more and more people to request help from The Salvation Army, some for the first time in their lives,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary, The Salvation Army. “We hope these new online campaigns will make it even easier for Americans to support The Salvation Army’s efforts to help people in need.”

After logging on to www.salvationarmyusa.org, individuals can become online volunteer bell ringers for the Red Kettle campaign and collect donations from family, friends and co-workers through their own customized Web site. Each site is equipped with a tracking device that informs the bell ringer how much money they have raised for The Salvation Army.

Those wishing to buy a toy for a needy child can visit the online Angel Giving Tree, also accessible through www.salvationarmyusa.org. Visitors to this site will see the familiar image of the Angel Giving Tree and will be able to purchase gifts online for needy children described on tags on the tree.

With both programs, cash and gift donations go directly to The Salvation Army center nearest the donor’s local community.

“We created these programs to respond to the very busy lifestyles of Americans, and to address the growing popularity of online shopping during this time of year. The donations we receive during the holiday season are critical to The Salvation Army’s mission of providing help to the people who need it most,” added Hood.

In addition, Yahoo! will be supporting the Angel Giving Tree program by donating advertising, designed to drive traffic to and raise awareness for The Salvation Army's Web site. The ads promoting the Angel Giving Tree will run through the end of the holiday season and will be supported by several other Yahoo! Shopping holiday programs that will roll out through the month of November.

With generous donations from the public, last year The Salvation Army served a record number of Americans – more than 42 million – with food, shelter, financial aid, disaster relief and other basic social services.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. One of the largest charitable and service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865, supporting those in need without discrimination.

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