Community Commitment

Foreclosures, Financial Stress & Families In Need

For more than 200 years, The Salvation Army in Westmoreland County has been a shining light to those who desperately need its services. With dignity and respect, they deliver assistance by responding to emergencies and helping people gain a sense of self-sufficiency in their lives. Now the human service agency is facing a crisis of its own... and First Commonwealth's Sue Nelson has gotten involved to help.

The Red Shield Campaign

As a result of the recent economic downturn and consecutive cuts in funding from the United Way, The Salvation Army in Westmoreland County has implemented an independent fundraising campaign. Called 'The Red Shield Campaign,' it is designed to maintain and expand current programming that ultimately benefits the needs of Westmoreland County's low-income youth, families, individuals and seniors. The fund-raising effort will be directed by a committee of leading Westmoreland County business people who have pitched in to help offset The Salvation Army's serious financial losses.

The Chairperson for the 'Red Shield' committee is our own Sue Nelson, Senior Vice President & Senior Trust Executive, First Commonwealth Bank. Under Sue's leadership, the Red Shield Campaign hopes to generate $150,000. This is just a small part of the more than $2 million dollars needed for The Salvation Army to operate in Westmoreland County, but every little bit helps. According to Sue, more than 100,000 instances of services were provided to area needy families in 2008 alone. And the need continues to grow while funding continues to shrink.

Contact Information

To support the Westmoreland County Salvation Army Red Shield Campaign or to learn more, call 724-216-8033.

About The Salvation Army

Today, the Salvation Army provides critical services in 117 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. Congratulations to Sue Nelson for her generous contribution of time and energy to the Salvation Army's 'Red Shield' Campaign

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