One of Toronto’s working poor – homeless in his final moments – died last year at St. Michael’s Hospital, unnoticed by the greater world around him. Read the full story

OTTAWA, March 5, 2010 – 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 governance, 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

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For further information please contact:

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

Every night, for more than 10 years, The Salvation Army’s mobile feeding unit has been a beacon of hope to the hungry and needy in Hamilton’s downtown core. Read the full story

Winter weather is no joke. According to Environment Canada, bitter cold and winter storms kill more than 100 people in Canada every year. That is greater than the number of Canadians killed by tornadoes, thunderstorms, lightning, floods, and hurricanes combined. Read the full story

“Renovations, thanks to generous donors, are underway at The Toronto Salvation Army Homestead, which serves women in Ontario who struggle with substance abuse. As we bring the facility into the 21st century we will serve a broader population of women and offer new services as we give women new hope for recovery, Read the full story

At The Salvation Army Sutton, Ontario, Youth Shelter, male and female clients receive a hand up rather than a hand out.
The shelter’s emergency and transition housing for homeless youth has served more than 800 people, ages 16 to 26, since its doors opened in March 2006. Read the full story

“The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre is an important and integral part of the healthcare network within the Toronto Central LHIN and The Salvation Army is pleased to share in this important announcement today with the Minister of Health and Long-Term care, the Honorable Deb Matthews.

The Salvation Army is pleased to confirm our commitment to own and operate The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre thanks to the commitment of Minister Matthews in announcing funding for the required infrastructure upgrades that are required for the safety and security of the patients, staff and volunteers of the Toronto Grace Health Centre.

The Governing Council of The Salvation Army is grateful to the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Centre LHIN under the leadership of CEO, Matt Anderson for their commitment to the excellent healthcare programs and services that the Toronto Grace Hospital provides.

This is an exciting day for The Salvation Army and our patients and their families as well as our staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army looks forward to working through the infrastructure upgrading process that has been announced today. We thank the community for their partnership and understanding as we work through the process in the months ahead.”

Presented by:
Commissioner William W. Francis
Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory
Toronto, Ontario

On Thursday January 28, The Moose 99.5 FM, in conjunction with Muskoka Lumber, The Bracebridge Examiner and the Canadian Government, opened up its phone lines and broadcast live to raise funds for the survivors of the Haitian earthquake.

Over 200 calls flooded the station’s phone lines. Every dollar donated was matched up to $50,000.00 through the support of Muskoka Lumber, and that was matched by the Canadian Government. More than $200,000 was raised and donated to The Salvation Army for its relief efforts in Haiti.

The Salvation Army says thank you to all the people of Muskoka who opened their hearts and partnered with us to help the hundreds of thousands affected by this terrible tragedy.

TORONTO, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - In response to the Extreme Cold Weather Alert issued by the City of Toronto The Salvation Army has opened an additional 40 emergency shelter beds in the downtown core. The following facilities have opened extra beds: The Gateway - 10 extra beds, Evangeline Residence - 2 extra beds, Florence Booth House - 4 extra beds, Hope Shelter - 14 extra beds, Maxwell Meighen Centre - 10 extra beds.

“The extremely cold temperatures pose a significant risk to people on the streets” said Captain John Murray, spokesperson for The Salvation Army. “We will continue to monitor the situation in an effort to keep our community’s homeless safe from the extreme cold.”

The Salvation Army provides over 1,200 shelter beds for the homeless each night in the GTA with a combined total of 443,000 bed nights. At the time of writing, The Salvation Army Gateway Shelter has outreach teams in the community checking on the vulnerable to make sure they are safe from the extreme elements. The Salvation Army’s Street Youth Van will also be on its regular patrol this evening providing meals and a warm place for homeless youth.
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 further information: Captain John P. Murray, APR, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development, c) (416) 998-0117; Neil W. Leduke, Director of Communications, c) (416) 578-7998

OTTAWA, Jan. 27 /CNW/ - Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Services staff were on hand for the second time this week to welcome Haitian evacuees and children bound for adoption by Canadian families upon their arrival at Ottawa International Airport. The flight touched down in Ottawa just before 2:00 p.m. carrying approximately 52 orphans and 71 evacuees.

Salvation Army staff and volunteers provided winter coats, snowsuits, scarves, winter boots, hats and mittens to evacuees, many of whom were wearing summer clothing when they arrived. The Salvation Army also served evacuees a hot meal and tea and coffee from its Ballard Vehicle, which contains a mobile kitchen and washroom facilities.

“The evacuees were very thankful to receive a hot meal and coffee after such an incredible ordeal,” said Michael Maidment, spokesperson for The Salvation Army. “Its amazing the impact a cup of coffee and a warm winter coat can have on a family who has just been through one of the worst disasters in Haiti’s history.”

The Salvation Army has been working in Haiti since 1950 and its personnel who were affected by the earthquake are now working to assist others in need. The Salvation Army in Haiti operates three medical facilities, schools that serve at least 10,000 children, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities.

Please support The Salvation Army’s relief effort in Haiti. Financial contributions can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), by visiting our website, www.SalvationArmy.ca, or by texting HAITI to 45678 for most carriers in Canada, including Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, Telus and Virgin Mobile to make $5 donation. You can also give by mailing donations to The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4H 1P4, or dropping off financial donations at the closest Salvation Army unit in your area. Donors should specify their gift to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.

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

For further information: or to arrange interviews, please contact: GTA: Captain John Murray, APR, The Salvation Army, (416) 998-0117, john_murray@can.salvationarmy.org; NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: Michael Maidment, Area Director, Public Relations and Development, Federal Government Liaison Officer, The Salvation Army, Ontario East Division, P (613) 233-8428 ext. 226, C (613) 795-8898, E michael_maidment@can.salvationarmy.org; www.SalvationArmy.ca