Ontario Reign/Salvation Army day at Citizens Business Bank Arena

I got a call from a very excited Jim Zitterkopf, from the Salvation Army in Ontario today. Turns out, Zitterkopf is helping organize Ontario Reign/Salvation Army day at Citizens Business Bank Arena Nov. 14.
With the help of members of the Ontario Parkway Kiwanis officials with the Salvation Army will be kicking off their red kettle "bell ringing" campaign
Members of the Colony High School and Ontario High School  Key Club will help sell programs for the Reign game as part of the fundraiser for the organization.
"The Reign have been glorious," he said. "This is such a big event for the army."
As part of the day the Salvation Army is sponsoring 250 disadvantaged kids in the community to watch the game, he said. Zitterkopf said they were able to sponsor so many kids and their family because the Reign offered them the tickets at a discounted price.
Money raised from that night will go back to the local community to fund community outreach programs the Salvation Army puts on, Zitterkopf said.
As part of their community outreach programs, Salvation Army prepared 225 meals a day, they also hand out 1,200 prepackaged food a week, he said.
With the woes in the economy, Zitterkopf said they have seen a downturn in gift giving and despite that organization "they are on a shoestring budget and yet here they are giving back."
If you are interested in donating to the Salvation Army contact Naomi or Malena at (909) 986-6748.

Here is some background information about the campaign: 

From its original beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2007, the campaign raised more than $118 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public's nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to nearly 29 million Americans in need. In addition to physical kettles, donors can also contribute online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or through a virtual red kettle on any number of corporate or individual websites and Facebook pages.

-courtesy The Salvation Army