Media Contact: 
Caitlin Smith
For The Salvation Army
212-337-7331 caitlin.smith@use.salvationarmy.org

PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH AND FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH
HEED THE CALL TO RING IN THE SEASON FOR THE SALVATION ARMY

Former First Couple Pitches in as Volunteer Bell-Ringer Shortages Impact Community Fundraising In New York

[New York, NY] (December 18, 2006) –As many local communities across the country face volunteer bell-ringer shortages, President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush today joined the effort to ring in the final week of the 2006 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign to help those in need.  The Bushes rang a bell on behalf of the 115-year-old campaign outside a popular furniture store in Houston, TX, to help The Salvation Army raise funds and promote volunteerism nationwide. 

“Barbara and I are excited to pitch in and ring a bell to help The Salvation Army in its final fundraising push before Christmas,” said President Bush. “It is rewarding to see a child dropping a dollar in a kettle and learning about philanthropy. It is something to be passed from generation to generation.”

Locally, The Salvation Army in Greater New York’s bellringers are at approximately 300 kettle locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Hudson Valley and Long Island.  Last Christmas season, the Greater New York Division’s seasonal fundraising efforts raised $8.5 million, with $2 million coming from kettles.  This season the division hopes to raise $9 million, including $ 2.4 million in kettle donations. 

“This time of year when we give gifts to one another, it is especially important to remember those less fortunate,” said Mrs. Bush. “There are many people who have no food, no clothes, no money to pay the rent or heating bill. The Salvation Army is there for them because so many Americans get out to volunteer and donate throughout the year. Volunteering is a special gift almost anyone can give.”

The Salvation Army has reported a need for volunteers in more than 30 communities nationwide, including New York.  As late as of last week, two of the four Salvation Army territories were reporting that donations were down by as much as 11 percent, in part due to a need for bell ringers. For more information, prospective volunteers should call their local Salvation Army 212-337-7200.  Individuals, groups and companies can also host online Red Kettles, to invite their friends, employees, and others to donate, via www.salvationarmyusa.org.

“We absolutely need more bellringers in this region,” said Major Guy D. Klemanski, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army in Greater New York.  “I encourage all New Yorkers to take a turn at one of the city’s many kettle locations.  Bell ringing is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors and truly make a difference.” 

The Bushes manned the kettle stand in front of Gallery Furniture in Houston during an event at the store Monday. The Salvation Army was represented by National Commander Israel L. Gaither, Houston Area Commander Marshall Genser and a four-piece brass band, among others. Gallery Furniture owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, one of Houston’s biggest philanthropists, hosted the President and First Lady.  In addition, a huge, 7-foot-tall Red Kettle—one of the world’s largest—was on site.

From its humble beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers fan out across the country to ring bells and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2005, the campaign raised a record $111 million nationwide, with nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all being returned to help those in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army to provide assistance to more than 31 million Americans in need.

“We are honored that the President and First Lady continue to support The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign,” said Salvation Army National Commander Israel L. Gaither. “I hope their contribution and those of all our volunteers will be an inspiration to Americans across the country to look for opportunities in their communities to donate their time and talents to charity.  On behalf of the 30-plus million people we serve each year, I say, ‘thank you.’”

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