Quad Cities, USA - This Saturday at The Salvation Army Community Center in Davenport, a

class will be presented to prepare local volunteers for deployment during a disaster. The class,

called "An Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services," is open to all interested. Included in this

course are: jobs to be accomplished, command structure, and getting ready for deployment. This

is a hands-on, down-to-earth, no-nonsense class with the basics.

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00am - 3:00pm

WHERE: Davenport Salvation Army Community Center, 3400 W. Central Park Avenue, Davenport,

IA 52806

If you would like to attend or have any questions, please call Steve Garrington at 309-569-0660.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His

name without discrimination since 1865. 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. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000

communities nationwide.

The Salvation Army is overwhelmed by the community's generosity!

Quad Cities, USA -Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator for The Salvation Army, would like the community to know that the organization is simply blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm shown this year. The goal of $700,000 was achieved, and $717,625 is the final total for this fund raising Major Felton said, "The Quad Cities heard our cry for help, and responded! It feels good to know that we have the community's support as we help people tackle some very tough issues.

"To every Quad Citian that donated at the kettles, directed checks our way, and volunteered to ring bells or work an event, our hearts are filled with gratitude - Thank you!"

During this Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army also packed and distributed 2,300 food boxes to over 2,000 local households. The 3,000+ children in those households received toys Christmas morning because of the generosity of the community at the Angel Trees.  Major Felton continued, "Because the goal was reached, our largest programs at the Family Service Center -- Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Meal Site -- will remain strong. Last year we saw a 35% increase in the number of residents living at the Center. 32,000 nights of lodging were provided to the families, and over 43,000 meals were served from this facility to our residents and the community."

Felton extends his gratitude to The Salvation Army's community business partners. Felton said, "I'd like to thank every one of our community partners for giving The Salvation Army the opportunity to ring our bells in front of their establishments."

"And a special thank you to VON MAUR for their match days on December 23rd and 24th. The goal still seemed out of reach, but when we saw a 26% increase for those two days over last year's kettles - a record breaking two days - those additional donations brought us within sight of the $700,000 target."

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Quad Cities, USA: The Red Kettle Campaign is still $65,000 away from making its 2011 fund raising goal.

To assist with final donations of the year, NorthPark and SouthPark Malls will allow The Salvation Army to continue collecting donations in the four-foot tall red kettles through the end of the year. The kettles can both be found at or near Younkers Court.

Holly Nomura, Development Director states, "Please help us make this goal. If you make your tax-deductible, year-end gift to The Salvation Army by check or credit card, you can trust that your donation will doing the most good assisting people who have lost hope. I witness it every day."

The 2011 Red Kettle Campaign goal is $700,000. This may not be The Salvation Army's final plea to the community for red kettle donations.

There are many ways to share your blessings with others:

An online gift to: www.usc.salvationarmy.org/quadcities

Call to 1-800-SAL-ARMY for a credit card donation.

Quad Cities, USA: With red kettles wrapping up on Christmas Eve, the Red Kettle Campaign is still $200,000 away from making its 2011 fund raising goal.

Major Gary Felton states, "With a significant portion of our annual fundraising revenue collected during the Christmas season, the donations collected throughout the Red Kettle Campaign set the tone for the upcoming year and allow us to serve thousands of individuals with critical programs and services. We have raised a significant amount so far, but there is still a long way to go."

The 2011 Red Kettle Campaign goal is $700,000. As of December 20^th, the donation total is $500,000. The Salvation Army is compelled to make another plea to the community.

There are many ways to share your blessings with others:

An online gift to: www.usc.salvationarmy.org/quadcities

Call to 1-800-SAL-ARMY for a credit card donation.