FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Salvation Army - Portland Metro
8495 SE Monterey Ave.
Happy Valley, OR  97086

Major Don Gilger
Portland Metro Coordinator
719.201.3215

Teresa Engel
Director of Communications & Marketing
503.794.3283

The Salvation Army Kettles Return This Saturday Only to Raise Money for Veterans

(Gresham, OR) May 22, 2012 - For one day only, The Salvation Army red kettles are coming out of storage to celebrate and honor veterans this Memorial Day Weekend.  On Saturday, May 26, 2012, from 9am - 3pm, The Salvation Army will have red kettles out across Gresham raising money for The Salvation Army Homefront War Relief Program and the East County Veterans Stand Down.  Kettles will be at Gresham Ford, the Wood Village Walmart, the Gresham Farmer's Market, the Troutdale Chamber, and lined up on Main Street in Downtown Gresham.  

Homefront War Relief provides emergency financial assistance to dependents of deployed military personnel or returning veterans who have suffered a hardship as a result of deployment.  On average, 250 families are served each year through this program!

The East County Veterans Stand Down offers referrals, options, and resources to struggling, homeless veterans.  This year, the Stand Down will be held on October 20th, 2012 in Troutdale and will provide veteran's access to veteran's benefit counselors, health screenings, and local resources.  Donations designed to help improve local veterans' daily lives will be distributed as well.

If veterans have a special place in your heart and you would like to honor a special veteran in your life this Memorial Day, drop by one of the kettle locations listed above on Saturday, May 26, 2012 and help make a difference in a veteran's life.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army works in 124 countries worldwide.  For more information, or to make a donation, visit us online at www.salvationarmyportland.org.  People wishing to make monetary donations can do so by calling 503.238.GIVE (4483), or by mail, The Salvation Army, 8495 SE Monterey Avenue, Happy Valley, OR 97086-7844.

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