Contact: Annette Bauer (651) 238-8210 cell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2010

The Salvation Army Collecting Donations for Haiti Relief at Metrodome Before Vikings Game

ROSEVILLE, Minnesota – Christmas may be over, but Salvation Army bell ringers are coming back this Sunday for a special two-hour effort to raise money for Haiti disaster relief.

Eight Salvation Army kettles will be placed around the Metrodome on Jan. 17 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. before the Minnesota Vikings playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. The kettles will be staffed by local youth from the volunteer organization Kids to the Rescue.

The Salvation Army’s 8-foot-tall kettle, Big SAL, will be on hand to attract attention as thousands of fans gather for the big game.

One hundred percent of all donations received will be used to fund The Salvation Army’s massive relief effort in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Salvation Army staff are on the ground in Haiti providing, food, water, medical attention and spiritual support to thousands. Hundreds of volunteers in El Dorado, Kansas are working through the weekend to prepare and package one million ready-to-eat meals for immediate distribution.

The Salvation Army has been in Haiti since 1950 and currently operates 60 outreach centers there.

The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people a year through its 25 local centers of operation. Daily it serves 2,000 hot meals and shelters 850 people. More than 14,000 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide a multitude of services, from child daycare to senior housing. To volunteer or donate call 800-SAL-ARMY or visit www.thesalarmy.org.

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