The Honourable Loretta Butler-Turner, Minister for Social Development and the wife of Honourable Earl Deveaux, Minister of the Environment- Mrs. Barbara Jean Deveaux to help Launch Program at Mall at Marathon

Nassau, The Bahamas - Although a lot of Bahamians think that Christmas will be anything but "merry". The Salvation Army is committed to help brighten this Christmas-and lives- of many this yuletide season. On Saturday, November 21^st, The Salvation Army will kick off its annual Christmas Kettle Drive at the Mall at Marathon. The festivities will begin at 2pm, inside the mall in the Food Court and will feature The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. The Honourable Loretta R. Butler-Turner and Mrs. Barbara Jean Deveaux will be officially launching the kettle drive.

The 2009 Christmas Kettle Drive will run from November 21st through December 24^th and the bright red kettles can be found at most shopping malls and major supermarkets, including most City Market and Super Value locations. Last year, the drive raised over $112,000 thanks to the generosity of the community and the many service clubs and church groups that volunteered their time and energy. Divisional Commander, Major Lester Ferguson, stated that the goal is to raise $125,000 this Christmas. "With the increasingly rough economic climate, The Salvation Army is receiving more and more requests for assistance from all of its social service programs, including local food banks. As The Salvation Army helps more people in need, it in turn needs more help from the community. I know that Bahamians will again rise to the occasion and help us to help many individuals and families this Christmas."

The red kettles manned by volunteer bell-ringers, including Rotary, Kiwanis and other service club members, help to raise much needed funds that provide special meals for needy individuals and families, toys and clothing for disadvantaged children, personal care products for the elderly and institutionalized, and vital funding for year round programs. Donations of any amount and can be placed in the red kettles, or sent to The Salvation Army's headquarters on 31 Mackey Street.

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. The Bahamas Division of The Salvation Army provides assistance through a wide array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, schooling and employment for the blind, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information, go to www.salvationarmvbahamas.org.