PRESS RELEASE
National Salvation Army Week Coming to Twin Cities
May 12 – 18 events include Twins ceremony, barbecues, donation drives
May 8, 2008 –TWIN CITIES – Next week the Twin Cities Salvation Army will celebrate the 54th annual National Salvation Army Week by holding community events throughout the region.
The importance of The Salvation Army has been underscored by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who has declared May 12 – 18 as Salvation Army Week in Minnesota.
“This year’s National Salvation Army Week comes at a time when gas and food prices are at record highs,” said Major Paul Fleeman, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “It is the perfect time to encourage people in financially stable households to help the less fortunate.”
The Salvation Army has planned community events to encourage charitable donations of time, money and resources. The events include:
● Donations of new or gently used cell phones, books and shoes will be collected May 12 - 17 at 28 book stores, cafés and coffeehouses throughout the Twin Cities. For a list of donation sites click here.
● The Minnesota Twins will honor dozens of Salvation Army volunteers on the field before their May 14 home game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.
● Free doughnuts will be distributed to businesses along Payne Ave. in St. Paul the morning of May 13 as part of the Army’s 120th anniversary of serving on that block.
● Free barbecues will be held May 13 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Riverdale Cub Foods in Coon Rapids, and May 14 at the Coon Rapids Wal-Mart, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
● Donations of clothing, household goods and furniture will be collected on May 17 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Lakeville at Hope Community Church, 9623 162nd St. W., and in Victoria at St. Victoria Catholic Church, 8228 Victoria Dr.
● The Salvation Army will serve homeless veterans May 12 – 13 at Fort Snelling during Stand Down, an annual event by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
● The world’s largest red kettle will be displayed all week in Minneapolis at 2727 Central Ave.
The Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in the Twin Cities and is a safety net for those with no place to turn. We serve 2,100 hot meals every day and house more than 850 people every night. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
