The Salvation Army Reaffirms Commitment to Serving All Without Discrimination
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Dec. 3, 2018) – Local Red Kettle volunteers are the backbone of The Salvation Army’s fundraising. Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to serve more than 23 million of the most vulnerable Americans throughout the year.
Recently in Valparaiso, Indiana, Red Kettle volunteers were found wearing “Aryan” patches. Social media posts suggested that the volunteers were members of the white supremacist group the Aryan Brotherhood. Representatives from the local Hells Angels, of which the volunteers are a part, have confirmed that they are not linked to the Aryan Brotherhood. They had been Red Kettle volunteers for many years and had never previously promoted discriminatory practices.
The Salvation Army has zero tolerance for any remarks or actions that could be perceived as hateful or racially discriminatory. Furthermore, Red Kettle volunteers are not allowed to wear any symbol, marking, or lettering that promotes any form of hatred or discrimination. The patches were deemed a violation of The Salvation Army’s non-discrimination and Red Kettle volunteer dress code policies, so local Salvation Army leaders informed the volunteers that they are no longer allowed to ring bells for The Salvation Army.
As discussed with volunteers, store management and local community members, The Salvation Army loves and serves all, without discrimination – and that commitment will be practiced wherever you see the red shield.
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 135 years in the United States. More than 23 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: 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. Eighty-two cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army are used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to salvationarmyusa.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.
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