The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Partners with The Salvation Army to Improve Services for Women Who Struggle with Substance Abuse

For Immediate Release
Toronto – March 9, 2010 – Today at 3:30 pm, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation will present The Salvation Army Homestead (78 Admiral Rd, Toronto) a residential recovery program for women struggling with substance abuse, with a donation of $1.5 million for urgently needed building renovations.

The donation from the foundation will make a difference in the services The Salvation Army is able to offer their clients as they do the hard work of rebuilding their lives. The $1.5 million will provide much needed infrastructure renovations in the heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and the installation of an elevator which will enable the Homestead to support women with mobility restrictions.

“We greatly appreciate the generous support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. Because of their support, urgently needed renovations are underway at the Homestead which serves women in Ontario who struggle with substance abuse.” Says Major Elizabeth Price, Executive Director, Homestead. “The renovations will make our residential space cleaner, safer and brighter and will enable us to serve a broader population of women by offering new services as we give women new hope for recovery.”

“Over her lifetime, my mother dedicated herself to extending kindness and understanding to those in need. She would have been so pleased to know that through this donation made in her honour by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, she has helped The Salvation Army to provide shelter and treatment for women struggling with substance abuse. She followed my grandfather, Garfield Weston, and devoted 30 years of hard work as Chairman of the Foundation.” says Charles Burnett III, son of Miriam Burnett.

We invite media to attend the donation presentation:
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: The Salvation Army Homestead
78 Admiral Rd., Toronto

About the Homestead

The Salvation Army Homestead is a residential program for women who are dealing with substance abuse issues. Treatment options are: a ten-week residential program that houses 10 women at a time in one of the most beautiful areas of downtown Toronto; a ten-week day treatment program at the downtown site; a ten-week day treatment program located in the heart of Scarborough. Salvation Army programs are holistic and abstinence-based. Trained staff support women on their journey to recovery and self empowerment in an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance and safety. The Homestead was founded in 1955 in Toronto and since 1966 has been located at its present location of 78 Admiral Road.

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 119 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.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

For more information contact:
Neil W. Leduke
Director of Communications
Public Relations and Development
c) 416-578-7998

Captain John P. Murray, APR
Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
c) 416-998-0117

On May 1, 2010, the Heritage Brass will be taking part in a Tri-Band Festival at Scarborough Citadel featuring Jubilee Brass from London Ontario, the Legacy Brass from Ottawa and the Heritage Brass from Toronto. This is guaranteed to be an excellent evening of great Salvation Army music.

Tickets are available from Norm Ritson at 905-579-2468, cryotech@bellnet.ca, or any of the participating bandsmen.

Attention News Editors:

Salvation Army supports proposed changes to Disbursement Quota
Changes Will Provide Increased Flexibility in Meeting Needs of Canadians

OTTAWA, March 5 /CNW/ - The proposed changes to the Disbursement Quota announced yesterday in the 2010 federal budget are widely supported by The Salvation Army. The removal of the quota will provide The Salvation Army, one of Canada’s largest charities, with increased flexibility in meeting the needs of Canadians during a time when more and more people are turning to charities for help.

“We are very pleased with this announcement,” said Colonel Floyd Tidd, Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army. “The proposed changes will allow us to better respond to the needs of the people we serve in 400 communities across Canada.”

The Salvation Army was also encouraged by the federal government’s plan to introduce a Prime Ministerial award for volunteerism. The award, announced in Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne, will “recognize the enormous contribution volunteers make to Canada.” While the announcement of the new award was a small part of the speech, the initiative is hoped to have a considerable impact on encouraging volunteerism in the charitable and non-profit sector.

“Volunteers play a vital role in every corner of our organization from program delivery to fundraising to goverance, and we certainly support the government’s initiative to recognize the incredible contribution volunteers make to communities across Canada,” said Colonel Tidd. “Canadians generously give 1.3 million volunteer hours to The Salvation Army every year.”

As the largest non-governmental direct social service provider in Canada, The Salvation Army depends on thousands of volunteers every year. The iconic Christmas Kettle campaign, which raised more than $18 million in 2009 in Canada, relies on tens of thousands of volunteer hours to staff the red kettles across Canada.

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 119 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

For further information: Michael Maidment, Federal Government Relations, (613) 795-8898, michael_maidment@can.salvationarmy.org
Captain John P. Murray, APR, (416) 998-0117, John_Murray@can.salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board of Trustees has decided to close the Foundation and centralize the funds and fundraising operations within the hospital’s existing administrative operations effective March 2, 2010.

“Accountability and integrity are the hallmarks of Salvation Army ministry” says, Captain John Murray, Foundation Chair. “We believe the best decision for those that we serve is to centralize fundraising operations within the existing hospital infrastructure thus ensuring all donations have maximum impact on patient services.”

“The Toronto Grace Health Centre is an extraordinary healthcare facility dedicated to serving the needs of our patients, their families, and our community” said Mildred Jarvis, TGHC President and CEO. “Our goal is to reduce administration costs and maximize all donations, and I support the decision of the Foundation Board of Trustees.”

The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Foundation Board is committed to the long-term operation and viability of the hospital, and is sensitive to the impact of the Foundation’s closing. Salvation Army officials will be working with Foundation staff members to ensure a smooth transition and suitable career opportunities moving forward.

Appreciation is expressed to donors who may continue to support the hospital by making donations directly to the Toronto Grace Health Centre, 650 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G5, marked to the attention of Ian Farmer, Director of Finance.

Following Chile’s devastating earthquake on February 27, the immediate need is still food, water and medicine.

The Salvation Army has been working in Chile since 1909 and its emergency services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort. Salvation Army personnel are fine, but a lot of Salvation Army properties were damaged.

Concepcion is one of the hardest hit areas and tents have been set up to house 60 displaced families on the patio of a nearby Salvation Army church. The Salvation Army is also carrying out relief work in the city of Os Valparaiso, on the west coast of Chile.

The Salvation Army will provide financial assistance and ongoing relief in the medium and long term.

Donations in support of the relief effort in Chile can be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or at you nearest Salvation Army facility. Please specify that your donation is for the Chile Earthquake Relief Fund.

A 40′ container packed and sent on November 30 has arrived safely at The Salvation Army’s Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe. The Howard Hospital continues to be one of the only fully operational public hospitals in the country, providing medical services for 155,000 patient visits a year.

The shipment took three months to arrive. The container was filled to capacity. It included an ultrasound machine, ECG machine, fetal monitor, 3,000+ boxes of medicine and medical supplies, crutches, canes, an electric scooter, toilet paper, scrubs, used clothes, 700 pairs of shoes, educational supplies and more…

The Salvation Army in Canada has a working relationship with a group of people from the Trillium Hospital in Mississauga. This group (headed up by Dr. Michael Weinberg and his friend Bert Amato) solicit donations of money and goods on behalf of Howard Hospital. The Salvation Army holds the funds they raise. When they have gathered enough material to fill a container, The Salvation Army provides volunteers to load it, and then pays the shipping invoices from the funds held for this group.

Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February), affecting around two million people, Salvation Army emergency services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort.

International financial assistance is already on the way from The Salvation Army international headquarters in London.

The earthquake epicentre was approximately 90 miles (150 kilometers) north west of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile which is approximately 350 miles (approximately 600 kilometers) from the capital of Santiago, ‘nevertheless, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region’, says the Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army South America West Territory, Lieut-Colonel F. Bradford Bailey .

The area most affected by the earthquake was between the cities Os Temuco and Chillan, with Concepcion hardest hit, reports the South America West Territory Secretary for Business Administration Lieut-Colonel Maria Alarcon. She adds, ‘I have never seen such destruction here before, though I have worked in many disaster situations - they don’t compare with this’. The Lieut-Colonel says the immediate need is still food, water and medicine.

Lieut-Colonel Alarcon also reports that tents to house 60 displaced families have been set up on the patio of the Hualpencillo Corps near Concepcion and that Salvation Army officers are travelling from Puerto Montt and Osorno, in Southern Chile, to Concepcion to join The Salvation Army emergency relief response team.

‘Our officers are all fine, but a lot of Salvation Army properties are damaged especially the older ones made of adobe bricks. The worst damage in Santiago has occurred at Quinta Normal and Lo Vial Corps, and El Faro Men’s Residence,’ adds the Lieut-Colonel.

Territorial Commander for the South American West Territory, Commissioner Jorge A. Ferreira (currently in Ecuador) reports that The Salvation Army is also carrying out emergency relief work in the city of Os Valparaiso on the west coast of Chile. The Commissioner adds that it had been planned to dedicate a recently arrived mobile Salvation Army emergency services canteen (a donation from USA Southern Territory) on 4 March, ‘however, this is now already being used to serve those in need’.

In the early hours following the earthquake Lieut-Colonel Bailey said that the immediate Salvation Army response included providing food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies.

He added that people had flocked to the streets ‘as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel’ the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.

Water, gas and electricity were immediately cut off in areas affected by the earthquake and will stay disconnected until relevant emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritise immediate needs.

Lieut-Colonel Bailey said that it has been extremely difficult to communicate with Salvation Army centres throughout the country as all phone lines (mobile and land) have been disrupted. ‘Some computer based communication, especially Skype, has been providing an alternative way for those in other countries to communicate with people in Chile.’

The emergency services coordinator for The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, Lieut-Colonel Mike Caffull, reports that IHQ has already agreed to provide financial assistance for the Chilean Salvationists relief response. He says assistance coordinated by the IHQ emergency team will also be provided regarding ongoing relief in the medium and long term.

Please pray for the people of Chile.

For Immediate Release

Toronto – February 28, 2010 – Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday, February 27, 2010, Salvation Army emergency services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort.

Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army in South America West, Lieut-Colonel F. Bradford Bailey says that the immediate response is to provide food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies. A recently arrived mobile canteen (a donation from the USA Southern Territory) is one of the key relief vehicles.

The earthquake epicenter was approximately 90 miles (150 kilometers) north west of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile. Lieut-Colonel Bailey says that this is approximately 350 miles (600 kilometers) from the capital of Santiago, ‘nevertheless, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region’. He adds that people have flocked to the streets ‘as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel’ the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.

Water, gas and electricity have been cut off in affected areas and will stay disconnected until relevant emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritize immediate needs.
The colonel says that in these early hours after the quake it has been extremely difficult to communicate with Salvation Army centres throughout the country as all phone lines (mobile and land) have been disrupted.

‘However, preliminary reports are reassuring in terms of Salvation Army personnel.’

Donations in support of the relief effort in Chile can be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or at you nearest Salvation Army facility. Please specify that your donation is for the Chile Earthquake Relief Fund.

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Chile since 1909 and operates schools, day-care centers, senior housing, children’s and foster youth homes, churches and provides a myriad of other services to the people of Chile.

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 119 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.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

For more information contact:
Captain John P. Murray, APR
Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
c) 416-998-0117

Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February) Salvation Army emergency services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort.

Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army in South America West, Lieut-Colonel F. Bradford Bailey says that the immediate response is to provide food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies. A recently arrived mobile canteen (a donation from the USA Southern Territory) is one of the key relief vehicles .

The earthquake epicenter was approximately 90 miles (150 kilometres) north west of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile. Lieut-Colonel Bailey says that this is approximately 350 miles (600 kilometres) from the capital of Santiago, ‘nevertheless, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region’. He adds that people have flocked to the streets ‘as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel’ the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.

Water, gas and electricity has been cut off in affected areas and will stay disconnected until relevant emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritize immediate needs.

The colonel says that in these early hours after the quake it has been extremely difficult to communicate with Salvation Army centres throughout the country as all phone lines (mobile and land) have been disrupted.

‘However, preliminary reports are reassuring in terms of Salvation Army personnel.’

Donations in support of the relief effort in Chile can be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or at you nearest Salvation Army facility. Please specify that your donation is for the Chile Earthquake Relief Fund.

Trenton Salvationist prepare to participate in the Military Appreciation Rally

Trenton ON – When Mayor John Williams and the members of Council for the City of Quinte West announced a Military Appreciation Rally would be held on February 20, Captains Steve and Tina Manuel of The Salvation Army in Trenton were quick to come on board. “The military is a proud and valued part of our community,” says Captain Manuel. “The Salvation Army will do whatever we can to support these men and women, and their families.”

Rally participants appreciate a warm drink from the Oshawa EDS team

Salvationists from Trenton Corps joined with the estimated 1500 military supporters participating in the rally. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services vehicle from Oshawa was also deployed to the rally site. Approximately 500 cups hot chocolate and coffee were served to appreciative participants and military personnel on the cool and breezy February morning.

The warm response to the Army’s presence and support was evident from both the military and civilians. “This was a wonderful way for The Salvation Army to join with the local community and show our appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice made by our military,” concludes Captain Manuel.

Captain Steve Manuel meets with CFB Trenton Base Commander Colonel David Cochrane. Quinte West Mayor, John Williams (far right) looks on.