ALEXANDRIA, VA - May 12, 2008 – This week The Salvation Army is celebrating the 55th annual National Salvation Army Week, which was first declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 as a time to honor the organization’s work done on behalf of the poor.  This year, the Army has again planned a series of events across the country to encourage volunteerism and donating to charity. With many leading economists predicting challenging economic times ahead, the Army is preparing for potential increased need.

“The fact is that the slowing economy often hurts those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder first,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “Those are exactly the type of people The Salvation Army serves in communities nationwide 365 days a year – and that’s what this week is really all about.”

National Salvation Army Week will be commemorated with events around the country, including:

• Gulf Coast, USA: The Salvation Army will be supporting Habitat for Humanity during the 25th annual “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project” in southern coastal cities still recovering from the devastating 2005 hurricane season. About 400 homes will be built or rehabilitated during the 5-day event in cities including Biloxi, MS; Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA. The Army will provide $7.2 million in home-ownership grants for the project and manage food service to hundreds of volunteers at the multiple building sites.

• Detroit, MI: The Salvation Army will promote a city-wide “Doing the Most Good” day to encourage people to do something nice for someone else. This could be anything ranging from volunteering in the community, buying breakfast for someone, or even just saying “hi” to the person you pass on the street.

• Fairfield, CA: The Salvation Army will roll out the iconic Christmas red kettles during the week to raise money to support programs and services in the area.

• Kansas City, MO/Lincoln. NE: Both areas will host separate community picnics with activities and food for the whole family.

• Minneapolis, MN: Salvation Army “doughnut lassies” will hand out traditional Salvation Army doughnuts to commuters and others throughout the city during the week, just as they did for U.S. soldiers during World War I and World War II.

• San Diego, CA: In addition to numerous other activities, The Salvation Army will award prominent local philanthropists with the Most Valuable Philanthropist (MVP) Award for the year at a special dinner. This year, the Army will honor the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres and Channel 8 (KUSI) for their work and support during the October 2007 wildfires in southern California.

• Sacramento, CA: Multiple service organizations will provide information to the public on educational opportunities, affordable housing, job training, and health coverage at the third annual Salvation Army People Overcoming Poverty (POP) event at Ray Robinson Oak Community Center. The event has proven successful in years’ past; attracting more than 800 people to learn about breaking the cycle of poverty since 2006.

“The Salvation Army is eager to get out in the community and encourage people to give back – to the Army or to other organizations – by volunteering or donating,” said Major Hood. “We’re pleased to continue this great American tradition.”

Since 1954, National Salvation Army Week has been observed every year in the United States. In a proclamation recognizing the celebration in 2001, President George W. Bush said, “During this week, I encourage Americans to express their appreciation for the Salvation Army's good works and to follow their example of serving a cause greater than themselves.” Today, The Salvation Army serves more than 28 million Americans in need each year.

More information about National Salvation Army Week and The Salvation Army’s service programs in more than 5,000 areas nationwide is available online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 127 years in the United States. More than 28 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.