12.20.2007 - 12:57pm ET

(CSRwire) ALEXANDRIA, VA - December 20, 2007 - The Salvation Army announced today that Wal-Mart will donate $200,000 in gift cards to the organization for distribution in eight U.S. communities demonstrating a particular need for donations this season. The gift cards will enable thousands of underprivileged families across the country to purchase toys, clothing, food and other items this Christmas.

"We are delighted that Wal-Mart is making this extremely generous donation to help families in need this Christmas," said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, National Commander of The Salvation Army. "Wal-Mart has always been a very strong and very visible partner with the Army. These cards will help make Christmas a little brighter for those who might otherwise go without."

Wal-Mart will donate 500 gift cards totaling $25,000 to local Salvation Army corps in each the following areas: Anchorage, Alaska; Ashland, Ohio; Benton Harbor, Mich.; Camden, N.J.; Detroit, Mich.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Portland, Ore.; and the Northern West Virginia Panhandle. Announcement ceremonies will be held in each market and The Salvation Army will begin distributing the $50 gift cards to needy families this week.

"Wal-Mart takes great pride in being able to help The Salvation Army continue its important work in these communities," said Margaret McKenna, President of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "From Red Kettles in front of all of our stores across the country to partnerships like this one, we remain committed to giving back."

The Salvation Army is grateful to all of its national and local corporate partners for the support they provide. This assistance is critical in enabling the Army to serve nearly 5 million people at Christmas and 35 million people throughout the year. For more information on the Army’s partnerships with Wal-Mart and other corporations, or to donate or volunteer, visit 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 35 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.

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