HALIFAX, September 1, 2010 – CIBC celebrated its $100,000 commitment to The Salvation Army in Halifax with a donation presentation at the CIBC Barrington and Duke branch. CIBC’s donation will go towards repairs and upgrades beginning this year to The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope on Gottingen Street. The funds will help restore The Salvation Army’s flagship social services facility including the Booth Centre, home to a 40-bed men’s shelter and a 19-bed rehabilitation program for men with addictions.

“CIBC’s outstanding gift to our Operation: Building Hope capital campaign has made a huge difference,” says Major Larry Martin, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army. “The critical repairs and renovations taking place this year at our Centre of Hope on Gottingen Street were made possible by leadership level gifts like the one made by CIBC. We couldn’t do this without their support, and we greatly appreciate CIBC’s partnership in making our community a better place for all citizens.”

Over the course of its lengthy history in Halifax, CIBC has made a difference by supporting a wide range of community-based organizations. In the past three years alone, the bank has contributed $650,000 to local organizations including the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation, capital campaigns for local universities and colleges, the YMCA and The Salvation Army, among others.

“At CIBC, we are committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients,
our employees and our communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of our employees,” said Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President of CIBC Retail Markets for Eastern Canada.

“Terry Gardiner, CIBC’s vice-president for the Atlantic region, is a great example of how our employees are involved in the community,” Vinet continued. “Terry has served on The Salvation Army’s capital campaign cabinet and is Chair of the Advisory Board, overseeing the work of transforming the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the community.”

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

Friday the 13th of August was blessed with beautiful weather – yet again – for The Annual Transcontinental “Tee Off For The Kids” at Granite Springs golf course near Halifax.

15 teams and 60 participants had a ball, beef buffet, and unbeatable golf while raising over $16,000 in support of sending kids to Scotian Glen Camp. Check out the on-line photo album of the fun HERE.

Terry Mounce and his Transcontinental team have now raised close to $60,000 over four years of organizing this extraordinary tournament – hosted once again by delightful duffer Bill Carr.

Golfers opened their hearts and their wallets on and off the course. Lori Smith, with Transcontinental customer service, had no trouble stuffing The Salvation Army course Kettle with an extra $400..!

Maritime Divisional Commander Major Larry Martin thanked all of the participants and accepted the funds on behalf of The Salvation Army’s Scotian Glen Camp.

Let there be no doubt about the value of these dollars – an investment in the spirit and development of children from across the Maritimes. Have a peek yourself. Click HERE and HERE.

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

Lionel Cann has been organising the Salvation Army’s daily soup run in Hamilton for more than a decade — but he still gets upset when he talks about the plight of the homeless.

Six evenings a week, he and his team of willing volunteers (he has more offers of help than he can accommodate) take their white van around the capital, stopping every few hundred yards to dish out sandwiches and hot soup to those in need.

“I never saw homeless people until I started working on the street,” says the community service worker. “They were out of sight. But they become a part of your existence and you know them and they begin to know you and they take on a whole different personality.”

Read more: http://www.royalgazette.com/rg/Article/article.jsp?sectionId=60&articleId=7da84b330030003

On June 11, 2010, The Salvation Army held the first annual Soup for the Soul event with the Emergency Disaster Services vehicle out on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary, serving up soup.  A $5.00 collectable mug was sold at the event, held to create awareness and raise funds, with all proceeds going to support the feeding programs.

The EDS vehicle meets the needs of the homeless population on the streets of Calgary, sending the vehicle out 3 nights a week and one Saturday morning, serving meals and providing a compassionate ear to those in need. On an average night, the vehicle will serve approximately 125 meals, and on an average Saturday morning, will serve approximately 60 meals.

For almost a year, the residents of the Abri d’espoir – a women’s shelter run by The Salvation Army – have had the opportunity to participate in a cooking workshop tailored to their needs. Read the full story

The Salvation Army cares about the homeless. Terri Williams shuffled from friend to friend after a violent attack left her unable to work and, therefore, unable to pay the rent. Eventually, she was on the streets, frightened and alone.

Ken Acker lived on a park bench. Addicted to drugs and alcohol, he could no longer feed, house, wash or clothe himself. Beaten down by shame and disgust, he was a step away from taking his own life.

Both Terri and Ken discovered a fresh opportunty for positive change at The Salvation Army’s Belkin House in the heart of Vancouver.

About Belkin House
More than 50 years ago The Salvation Army opened Dunsmuir House for men in the heart of Vancouver. In September 2004, the facility moved to a new location, was built as a multi-purpose centre, and renamed Belkin House.

This state-of-the-art facility provides a home to the homeless and those who are at risk of homelessness. It’s a place of healing where men women and children fight against homelessness, hunger and despair. Belkin House reaches out to help people whose lives are battered and broken. Programs are offered to help residents become well, whole and healed.

Belkin House hosts a variety of residential progrmas and houses up to 224 men, women and children. It is a clean, safe, secure and comfortable accomodation for those who have met with hard times.

Terri’s story
In her late teens, Terri attempted to end a relationship with a boyfriend and was raped. She became pregnant and, fearful for her life and that of her unborn baby, she stayed with the father. He was physically abusive, an alcoholic and drug addict. She would eventually move, with her son, from Ottawa to Vancouver where family support was available.
In 2008 Terri, age 55, suffered a vicious attack that left her with a concusssion, and unable to walk or talk. In an attempt to protect her 23-year-old son during an apartment robbery, Terri took a blow to the head with a hammer, was chain-whipped and beaten. She could no longer work and was unable to pay the rent.

Now homeless, Terri shuffled from friend to friend while she tried to heal. Eventually she found shelter at The Salvation Army Belkin House. “I was in a desperate state physically, emotionally and spiritually,” says Terri. “At Belkin House I felt safe and cared for. The shelter gave me peace of mind and the stablilty I needed.”

Although Terri continues to heal from her wounds, she is able to work part-time and pay her rent. She values the ongoing encouragement and support she recieves from staff at Belkin House.

Ken’s story
Ken’s parents both died when he was two years old. At age three he was adopoted. His grief and loss resulted in feelings of anger, abandonment, lonliness and fear. He was withdrawn and struggled to come to grips with his new environment. In his early teens Ken turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. “This was the beginning of my self-destructive path,” says Ken.

“My addictions became so powerful I couldn’t stop.”

For years Ken lived in hostels, cheap hotels, and on the streets. The deeper he fell into addiciton, the more worthless and hopeless he felt. When he found himself in jail, he wanted to end his life.

“The drugs had total control of me,” says Ken. “A park bench became home where I would sit with no hope. When I could no longer feed, house, wash or clothe myself I turned to The Salvation Army for help.”

In October 2009 Ken came to Belkin House. “Belkin house staff really care,” says Ken. “They didn’t abandon me. Trained counsellors and chaplains enabled my to find peace, contentment and purpose in my life.

“I have flourished under the guidance of The Salvation Army.”

About The Salvation Army
Last year, across the country, The Salvation Army provided 6,370 shelter, addictions, detox and mental health beds for vulnerable men, women and families. That’s one-quarter of all shelter beds in Canada. As well, more than 2,500 people completed addicitons and rehab programs. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of Canadians, many lives have been healed and transformed.

Rising housing prices have forced more men to seek shelter at The Salvation Army’s Waterston Centre in Regina.

The Salvation Army Waterston Centre reaches out to people who face multiple barriers in a very difficult world. 

The Centre provides/offers residential support and counsel to marginalized, displaced, and distressed men through the options of temporary, transitional and long-term lodging.

Lynn Jensen, hostel co-ordinator, provides a tour in an exclusive video below (shown after the 30sec ad*).

*The ad that appears in this video is provided by leaderpost.com and is not associated with The Salvation Army

Toronto, ON May 26, 2010 –The Salvation Army is reporting today that donations to its 2010 National Red Shield Campaign are approximately $1.15 million short of the $2.75 million goal needed to provide social services helping Canada’s poor and homeless. The campaign has collected an estimated 60 percent, or $1.6 million, of its goal going into its final week. The decline in giving is part of a larger trend seen most recently at Salvation Army centres and shelters across the country.

“In this final week of the Red Shield Campaign, we are asking the public to consider making a donation that will impact millions currently facing homelessness and poverty,” said Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “All contributions go to work in the local community, where our services are needed more and more each day.”

The Salvation Army currently has 462 units providing social services within local communities across Canada. Most of these are small and operate with limited resources. In fact, 63 percent have a budget of less than $500,000 and more than 20 percent finished the 2009/2010 fiscal year with a deficit. Current projections put this year’s Red Shield Campaign on track with results from 2009, when The Salvation Army saw an 8.5 percent drop in donations from the previous year.

A report on homelessness and poverty, released at the beginning of May, revealed that close to one in nine adults in Canada has either experienced or come close to experiencing homelessness. The report also revealed that demand for general social services at The Salvation Army increased by more than 25 percent since 2008.

“Since the financial fallout, we’ve seen a larger national trend where request for social services have outpaced donation rates,” said Graham Moore. “We’ve seen a number of cases where the demand for service has led to fiscal uncertainty for local Salvation Army units.”

For more than 90 years, The National Red Shield Campaign has raised funds to support Salvation Army programs, aimed at the more than three million people living in poverty today. During this month, The Salvation Army is running several public service announcements that spotlight the issue of poverty. The advertising campaign’s message, that “Poverty shouldn’t be a life sentence,” has appeared in-print, online and on-air. Also, on May 19th, The Salvation Army hosted its largest single-day event, opening several shelters and outreach centres to the general public as part of its National Open House Day.

“As the largest provider of social services, outside the government, The Salvation Army is calling for new donations to help deliver critical services,” said Andrew Burditt, Territorial Public Relations Director for The Salvation Army. “We are calling on Canadians everywhere to dig deep and consider a donation that will go to work immediately within their local community.”

Money raised throughout the National Red Shield Campaign directly supports those living in poverty through Salvation Army services like emergency shelter care, substance abuse counselling and employment training.

Financial contributions can be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), by mailing donations to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H1P4 or by dropping off financial donations at the closet Salvation Army facility in your area.

Donors can also support the Red Shield Campaign By texting HOME to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada. A $5 donation will be added to your monthly mobile bill.

About The Red Shield Campaign:

The National Red Shield Campaign is an annual fundraising and public awareness campaign held annually throughout the month of May. The Salvation Army utilizes online, phone, direct mail and door-to-door appeals to solicit donations from generous Canadians. Giving to The Salvation Army offers an opportunity to invest in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community. 86 cents of every dollar raised by The Salvation Army goes directly to support those in need.

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 120 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.

- 30 -

The Salvation Army’s report on homelessness and poverty, and other news and information can be found online at www.SalvationArmy.ca

For further information please contact:

Andrew Burditt
Territorial Public Relations DirectorThe Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org

Toronto, ON May 26, 2010 –The Salvation Army is reporting today that donations to its 2010 National Red Shield Campaign are approximately $1.15 million short of the $2.75 million goal needed to provide social services helping Canada’s poor and homeless. The campaign has collected an estimated 60 percent, or $1.6 million, of its goal going into its final week. The decline in giving is part of a larger trend seen most recently at Salvation Army centres and shelters across the country.

“In this final week of the Red Shield Campaign, we are asking the public to consider making a donation that will impact millions currently facing homelessness and poverty,” said Graham Moore, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “All contributions go to work in the local community, where our services are needed more and more each day.”

The Salvation Army currently has 462 units providing social services within local communities across Canada. Most of these are small and operate with limited resources. In fact, 63 percent have a budget of less than $500,000 and more than 20 percent finished the 2009/2010 fiscal year with a deficit. Current projections put this year’s Red Shield Campaign on track with results from 2009, when The Salvation Army saw an 8.5 percent drop in donations from the previous year.

A report on homelessness and poverty, released at the beginning of May, revealed that close to one in nine adults in Canada has either experienced or come close to experiencing homelessness. The report also revealed that demand for general social services at The Salvation Army increased by more than 25 percent since 2008.


“Since the financial fallout, we’ve seen a larger national trend where request for social services have outpaced donation rates,” said Graham Moore. “We’ve seen a number of cases where the demand for service has led to fiscal uncertainty for local Salvation Army units.”


For more than 90 years, The National Red Shield Campaign has raised funds to support Salvation Army programs, aimed at the more than three million people living in poverty today. During this month, The Salvation Army is running several public service announcements that spotlight the issue of poverty. The advertising campaign’s message, that “Poverty shouldn’t be a life sentence,” has appeared in-print, online and on-air. Also, on May 19th, The Salvation Army hosted its largest single-day event, opening several shelters and outreach centres to the general public as part of its National Open House Day.

“As the largest provider of social services, outside the government, The Salvation Army is calling for new donations to help deliver critical services,” said Andrew Burditt, Territorial Public Relations Director for The Salvation Army. “We are calling on Canadians everywhere to dig deep and consider a donation that will go to work immediately within their local community.”

Money raised throughout the National Red Shield Campaign directly supports those living in poverty through Salvation Army services like emergency shelter care, substance abuse counselling and employment training.

Financial contributions can be made by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), by mailing donations to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H1P4 or by dropping off financial donations at the closet Salvation Army facility in your area.

Donors can also support the Red Shield Campaign By texting HOME to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada. A $5 donation will be added to your monthly mobile bill.

About The Red Shield Campaign:
The National Red Shield Campaign is an annual fundraising and public awareness campaign held annually throughout the month of May. The Salvation Army utilizes online, phone, direct mail and door-to-door appeals to solicit donations from generous Canadians. Giving to The Salvation Army offers an opportunity to invest in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community. 86 cents of every dollar raised by The Salvation Army goes directly to support those in need.

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 120 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.

- 30 -

The Salvation Army’s report on homelessness and poverty, and other news and information can be found online at www.SalvationArmy.ca

For further information please contact:
Andrew Burditt
Territorial Public Relations Director
The Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org

This year, through a series of true and false questions, The Salvation Army is releasing data to illustrate the public’s perception on homelessness and poverty. By releasing this data, our goal is to illustrate the realities, and lay to rest some commonly-held misconceptions, about homelessness and poverty. Read the full story