As we celebrate Canada on July 1, its wealth and diversity, we recognize the courage and will to survive of those who chose Canada as a place of protection, peace and quality of life because they are subject to danger in their own country. Read the full story

From January to April, 1,077 Czech Roma citizens have flooded Toronto, Peel and Halton Regions, to escape fire bombings and beatings in their country. They arrive with only their luggage and the hope that Canada will allow them to stay for good. Read the full story

The Salvation Army on Monday put out a call for new donations to make up for a marked drop in its annual spring fundraising campaign, noting that receipts fell 30 per cent in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the North.

It attributed the decline to financial woes facing contributors due to the economic downturn.

Nationally, the Salvation Army reported that it has raised $2.47 million, considerably short of its $3-million goal for 2009. Read full story…

Source: CBC

Boston, U.S. – Behind the YMCA, The Salvation Army ranks second in the Who’s Who of some of America’s most beloved and recognizable organizations. Read the full story

Edmonton, AB – June 29th – Employees of the RTL-Westcan Group of Companies sorted through their closets this May for a Spring Cleaning Clothing Drive, the fifth Challenge in the group’s Well Workplace series. Divided into teams by location, employees competed to bring in the most new or lightly used articles of clothing per capita. After weeks spent eagerly collecting and counting, Westcan’s Saskatoon Terminal proudly claimed their first Challenge win with an outstanding 1,765 items. As a group, a total of 8,866 items were collected in support of the clothing drive. With the goal of making a local impact, the Group of Companies elected to donate the clothes to Salvation Army programs in their communities.

“The Salvation Army is extremely grateful to RTL-Westcan for their generous support of our important work,” says Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development of The Salvation Army. “Quality clothing is not just something to wear. In many cases, it provides a fresh start and will give hope to many throughout western Canada.”

About the RTL-Westcan Group of Companies:
The RTL-Westcan Group of Companies is comprised of RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd., Westcan Bulk Transport Ltd., Arctic Sunwest Charters and Capital Transit Mix. Together, we are one of the largest niche commodity haulers in Western Canada and the major Alberta – NWT transportation/infrastructure company. Operating out of 14 locations, we specialize in dry and liquid bulk transportation, freight hauling, air charter and construction services. For more information please visit:
www.rtl.ca | 
www.westcanbulktransport.com | www.arcticsunwest.com

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 118 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, provides shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to addiction. News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

Media Contact:

Ashley Edwards Scott

Communications Coordinator

RTL-Westcan Group of Companies

C: 780.242.1889

aedwardsscott@westcanbulk.ca

Toronto, ON June 29, 2009 – The Salvation Army today released the results of its 2009 Red Shield fundraising campaign, reporting an 8.5 percent drop over 2008. The month-long annual campaign held each May raised $2.47 million in 2009, versus $2.7 million last year. The campaign came up short of its $3 million goal which was the estimated amount needed to serve an increasing client base nationwide. The decreased totals were attributed to personal financial woes donors are experiencing due to the severe economic downturn. As the largest provider of social services outside the government, The Salvation Army is calling for new donations to help the organization deliver critical services to the poor.

“I want to recognize and thank donors who generously gave nearly two-and-a-half million dollars which will do a lot of good in our efforts to reduce poverty,” said Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “But, we also want to renew our effort to meet the goal we have set as the need will not go away. Unfortunately, this is a double-whammy for us, as these declines are hitting just as demand for service is up during these challenging economic times.”

This year’s Red Shield campaign total is the lowest achieved since at least 2005, and comes on the heels of an already poor year for gifts of securities in which the Salvation Army reported a decrease of $5.8 million, or 83 percent, in stock gifts.

Of the 10 Salvation Army Divisions fundraising during the Red Shield campaign, only three reported higher donation totals for 2009 as compared to 2008. The Manitoba & Northwest Ontario Division reported the highest overall increase in donations, with a significant rise of $37,000 (21.9 percent) over the 2008 campaign. The Ontario Central East Division and the Maritime Division reported increases of $34,000 (4.2 percent) and $1,000 (0.8 percent) respectively.

“A few Divisions came through with major improvements. I can tell you we are all very grateful for all of the donations that people were able to make across the country,” added Moore. “We recognize that it’s not easy for people to give in these challenging times, but it shows the goodness in people’s hearts.”

Marked declines in giving were noted in the Prairie Division consisting of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northern Territories where the area saw a 30 percent, or $183,000, fundraising drop as compared to 2008. Two Salvation Army Divisions in Newfoundland also suffered fundraising declines of 20 percent or more – losing 23 percent or $18,000 – collectively versus 2008 levels.

May Red Shield Division Total Raised (in thousands)

“It’s not easy to run a major campaign in this environment, but this isn’t devastating – it’s just the reality of tough times,” said Graham Moore. “And I can assure you of this – the Army has been through difficult times before and our commitment to serving others has never faltered. We are firmly committed to serving those in need and always will be.”

The Red Shield fundraising campaign has been a May tradition in Canada for 90 years. In 2009, The Salvation Army kicked off the campaign by releasing a report – “Poverty Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence” – illustrating the realities of extreme poverty and homelessness in Canada and offering policy prescriptions to combat the problem. The Army also released a documentary short “One Day of Hope,” directed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker Hubert Davis and featuring a day in the life of multiple Salvation Army shelters across the country. On May 22, the Army opened its doors at 15 shelter facilities across the country to give the public an opportunity to see, first-hand, the social service programs it provides to more than 1.5 million Canadians in-need each year. For more information or to donate, please visit http://www.salvationarmy.ca.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 118 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.
News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca.

Media Contact:
Andrew Burditt
Territorial Public Relations Director
The Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org

June 25^th marks exactly one half of a year since Christmas, 2008, and one half of a year to go before we reach December 25^th-Christmas 2009!

Indeed, it is time to start thinking about Christmas. And more importantly, what you’re going to do this Christmas to help those in need in our communities.

The Salvation Army 2009 Hope in the City Breakfast is an opportunity for you and your business to join The Salvation Army and Vancouver’s business community in bringing in the Christmas season. All proceeds from the event support The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, bringing Christmas joy to those in need over the Christmas season, and throughout the rest of the year.

For sponsorship and more information, visit the Hope in the City Breakfast website here.

Medicine Centre pharmacies have come up with a unique way to support The Salvation Army and other charities, while celebrating kindness in the workplace.

Submit your story of someone making a difference in their workplace, and if your story is selected, Medicine Centre pharmacies will make a visit to your workplace with a bag of goodies, make a $1000 donation to The Salvation Army, and a $1000 donation to the charity of your choice.

Three stories will be selected, and you have until August 21^st to submit your story!

For more info and to submit your story, CLICK HERE.

Moira Brown, co-host of 100 Huntley Street, interviews Major Winn Blackman of The Salvation Army to discuss the issue of human trafficking Read the full story

Toronto is under an extreme heat alert as temperatures are expected to soar to 29 degrees by Wednesday afternoon.

The city’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown said the alert will be in place until further notice.

Despite a civic strike in the city, Toronto has opened a number of cooling centres for public use:

* Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W
* North York library, 5120 Yonge St.
* Parkdale Library Branch, 1303 Queen St. W.
* Richview Library Branch, 1806 Islington Ave.
* Salvation Army Cedarbrae Community Church, 2085 Ellesmere Rd.
* Salvation Army Yorkwoods Community Church, 20 Yorkwoods Gate
* Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel Church, 2021 Lawrence Ave. E.

Read full story…

Source: CTV