The Salvation Army is celebrating 125 years in the Maritimes this year.

We’re planning a special celebration in 2010. Its centerpiece will be a six-string guitar crafted specifically for this occasion by renowned luthier George Rizsanyi.

James Taylor, Keith Richards, Sting and Peter Gabriel are among the performers who play unique, handcrafted Rizsanyi guitars. In addition, George built the iconic Six String Nation guitar from 63 pieces of Canadian history, including a piece of decking from the Bluenose II, a piece of Wayne Gretzky’s hockey stick and wood from Pier 21.

Now, George is turning his attention to finishing a beautiful guitar as a symbol of The Salvation Army’s history of giving hope in The Maritimes for 125 years.

Here’s where you can help. Do you know of an artifact of symbolic importance from the Salvation Army’s history in the Maritimes? Perhaps a piece of wood or brass - virtually any material that represents an exceptional part of Salvation Army history can be incorporated as a decorative element in this landmark instrument.

We want to hear from you. Please e-mail or phone Wendy Birt at Salvation Army Maritime Divisional Headquarters in Halifax with your suggestion by March 19th:

wendy_birt@can.salvationarmy.org
902-455-1201 X227

The Salvation Army is grateful and touched by this gesture and generous gift. Music is a large part of The Army’s history in the Maritimes and we can’t think of a better fit to mark 125 years of community service, rooted in hope.

CLICK HERE FOR A TOUR GEORGE’S SHOP.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

Halifax, December 9, 2009

Rain, snow or shine, The Santa Shuffle was held Saturday, December 5th in 35 cities across Canada for The Salvation Army in an ongoing partnership with The Running Room. Halifax, Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton all hosted events again this year.

The run in Halifax has grown so much that the 2009 event was relocated to The Port of Halifax…where over 600 runners, shufflers, pets and strollers turned out in their wildest Christmas gear… and in the Christmas spirit.

Across The Maritimes nearly 900 people participated raising about $50,000 for The Salvation Army. Across Canada, some 10,000 runners raised over $400,000. Thank you!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE OUR ON-LINE PHOTO ALBUM.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

Halifax, November 1, 2009

The Maritime Salvation Army was one of the chosen recipients of special grant funding provided by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. In response to the challenges created by the current economic downturn, the Foundation is providing additional support to more than 120 programs offered through registered Canadian charities.

The Weston Family owns George Weston Limited which today includes not only the family’s original baking company but also Loblaw Companies Limited.

The Salvation Army is encouraged by this practical demonstration of support. Programs at Salvation Army Centres in Summerside, Sussex and Spryfield will greatly benefit from this recent injection of resources.

The Foundation established this special one-time grant program to assist charitable organizations who provide the necessities of life to families struggling with basic human needs: food, clothing, shelter.

“Our family has had a close relationship with The Salvation Army and its colleagues for over 40 years. We are delighted to be able to support those in the Spryfield community”, said W. Galen Weston, President of the Foundation.

Mr. Weston was in Halifax touring the chain of Superstores and making personal contact with The Salvation Army to acknowledge their work within the community. A cheque presentation was made at the Lower Sackville Superstore in Lower Sackville.

“These funds are a much needed support to the new initiatives we have launched in Spryfield,” says Major Larry Martin, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Maritime Division. “Diverse needs are being presented and we need to be equipped to respond to the growing demands. Gifts such as this will enable The Salvation Army to continue to meet human need and be a transforming influence in our community.”

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

Halifax Mooseheads forward Gabriel Desjardins announced today his personal intention to raise funds for the Salvation Army this season. The 17 year old second year forward from Montreal has decided to donate $21 to The Salvation Army for every point he records this season. Desjardins wears the number 21 jersey for The Mooseheads.

“I spoke with Mooseheads management in the off-season and told them I wanted to help out in the local community. The Salvation Army is a great fit. They help so many families and kids,” stated Desjardins. “Hopefully I can have a good year, raise some money for a great cause, and help our team win some games.”

“The Mooseheads have been wonderful supporters of The Salvation Army over the years. However, this tremendous gesture by an exceptional role model not only raises money, it raises the profile of The Army’s work during the important winter-relief season,” said Diane van Der Horden, Public Relations & Development, Salvation Army, Maritime Division.

Desjardins has 2 assist through 2 games so far this season, adding up to $42 in contributions to The Salvation Army so far.
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For more information, contact:
Ron Zima
Fund Development & Public Relations
Cell: 902-456-2550
Ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

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 113 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 an addiction.

News releases, articles and updated national information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

Several more miracles were on display at The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Halifax recently. It was graduation day for recovering addicts. A truly inspirational report thanks to Global News. Click anywhere on the photo to launch the YouTube video.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

The Salvation Army’s Small Blessings Early Childhood Development Centre celebrates 20 years of remarkable service to Greater Moncton and New Brunswick this summer.

Witness the unsurpassed standards and passion of a facility dedicated to developing children, who have gone on to become exceptional human beings. Help us celebrate a generation of quality development with our video, HERE…and share the celebration events June 6 and 7 with our on-line photo album HERE.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

The Salvation Army, Maritime Division is partnering with The Children’s Clean Air Network to begin its IDLE-FREE education campaign this Earth Day. See The Army’s YouTube launch video here.

“This is a wonderful opportunity. We can demonstrate leadership on the environment, save donor dollars, and clear the air for children, all with the turn of a key,” says Larry Martin, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army, Maritime Division. “Our goal is to save at least $5,000 dollars in fuel and cut hundreds of tons in CO2 annually.”

“Children are our most vulnerable clients, and we often provide services where needless vehicle exhaust can pose a threat to their health, and certainly their environment,” says Martin.

In addition to a division-wide education campaign for its officers, employees, volunteers and supporters, The Salvation Army will be promoting key children’s facilities as IDLE-FREE zones.

“We’ll be helping The Army promote places like Small Blessings Day Care in Moncton and Scotian Glen Camp near New Glasgow as IDLE-FREE kids facilities,” says Ron Zima, founder and Executive Director of The Children’s Clean Air Network.

“We partner with organizations that embrace the effort to go IDLE-FREE themselves. In addition to our images and messages from children, it’s leadership by example that we think really influences the public on this issue,” says Zima. “The Salvation Army is in a unique position to influence hundreds of officers, employees, volunteers, donors and corporate partners.”

Based on Statistics Canada numbers on vehicles and fuel consumption, hypothetically, tens of millions of dollars could be saved from going up in smoke across The Maritimes each year if drivers all went IDLE-FREE as a habit.

“IDLE-FREE also cuts thousands of tons of green house gas and improve air quality dramatically,” Zima says. “The number-one reason kids miss school or are admitted to emergency rooms in this region is because of asthma. And a leading asthma aggravator is poor air quality, often from needless emissions from cars and trucks around schools and public spaces.”

For more on The Children’s Clean Air Network, visit www.IDLEFREE.org

The Salvation Army has expanded its heating assistance in the Maritimes thanks to significant government support based on the success of The Army’s partnership with Nova Scotia Power.

Good Neighbour Energy Fund:

Nova Scotia - Entering its 12th year, the Good Neighbour Energy Fund will provide for Nova Scotians struggling to heat their homes. In partnership with Nova Scotia Power, the Canadian Oil Association and the Province of Nova Scotia, The Salvation Army will be the agency through which families can apply for heating assistance during January to April. Application forms will be available in January from all Salvation Army locations in the province. This program will potentially embrace over 2000 families this winter.

For more information: www.heatsmart.ca

Warm Heart and Warm Homes:

New Brunswick - A new initiative targeted at the working poor will be launched in January in the Province of New Brunswick. This program, funded by the Province of NB and the Private Sector will provide for heat assistance to families struggling to make ends meet. Up to $450 dollars worth of fuel will be delivered to each successful applicants residence. The Government has pledged to match donations up to $500,000. Potentially, this fund will embrace over 2000 families in a significant manner.

For more information call: 1-877-217-9090

Click anywhere on the photos above to see our short video.

The Salvation Army has been like a strong thread woven throughout maritime society for 123 years now. Holding towns and families together through thick and thin.

The Army today is a major presence in the Maritime region; with over 300 staff, about 6,000 volunteers and over 90 community-based programs & services. In 2007, more than 100,000 Maritimers turned to The Salvation Army for support, assistance and hope.

In towns like Springhill, The Army has been there at the best of times and at the worst of times, generation after generation. From the Great Depression and the mining disasters of the fifties, to assisting the most vulnerable in the 21st century, The Salvation Army has been a shoulder to lean on.

Recently, grateful Springhill townsfolk felt it was time to have a day to celebrate the ongoing presence of The Salvation Army. I was there to capture some of the stories and emotions. And, it was pretty emotional. Click anywhere on the image above to launch the video.

by Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
The Salvation Army - Maritime Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org
DIRECT: 902-456-2550

As many parents can tell you, shopping for back-to-school can blow a hole in any budget.

But, what if you’re a single parent, juggling expenses and trying to raise four or five kids? The expense of back-to-school can be a nightmare.

So, The Salvation Army recently celebrated back-to-school with a children’s carnival and distribution of backpacks and school supplies at its ‘Open Arms’ location in Uniacke Square.

Imagine the relief and the excitement of both kids and parents when that burden is lifted. You don’t have to imagine – visit our web photo album below left and the video HERE.

In a community-partnership spearheaded by Linda Elliott of Investors Group, over 70 backpacks and hundreds of dollars of school supplies were provided.

Bonnie Hill, Salvation Army program coordinator for Uniacke Square was grateful. “These school supplies went to single-parent families with limited budgets and multiple children. It was a huge boost to these families.”

“It was a very emotional experience,” says Linda Elliott. Her angel-partners, Maureen Beattie and Marla MacDonald were inspired by the atmosphere of Open Arms and the spirit of the kids.

Uniacke Square is a vibrant and close-knit community. They care about their kids deeply. It’s just that a “hand-up” and not a “hand-out” can make a huge difference in a kid’s life at critical times like the start of a school year.

We’re looking to grow partnerships like this one, to make an even a bigger difference next year. To find how you can help, contact Linda Elliott at:
linda.elliott@investorsgroup.com 902-423-8294 X246