Province Helps Salvation Army Capital Campaign

The government is partnering with the Salvation Army to support the Operation: Building Hope capital fundraising campaign.

Premier Rodney MacDonald and Community Services Minister Judy Streatch were at the Salvation Army's Booth Centre in Halifax today, May 26, to donate $825,000 to the Maritime division's first capital campaign.

"Government is pleased to be partnering once again with the Salvation Army to bring hope and relief to Nova Scotians," said the premier. "We are providing $825,000 to the Salvation Army to help them concentrate on repairing lives rather than fixing roofs."

The Salvation Army launched its Operation: Building Hope campaign in February, committing $1.7 million of its own toward the goal of $4.7 million. The money will address infrastructure needs at the Booth Centre on Gottingen Street, the Spryfield Family Resource Centre, and Scotian Glen, a summer camp for kids in Pictou County.

"The Department of Community Services and the Salvation Army are long-time partners in helping improve lives for Nova Scotians," said Ms. Streatch. "When times are tough, we are there for each other."

More than half of the province's financial assistance will help make energy efficiency improvements at the Booth Centre, including a furnace conversion to natural gas, electrical upgrades, and new windows and doors.

Addressing the facility deficiencies in the centre will not only bring the building up to standard, but it will also introduce green initiatives and significantly reduce operational costs.

The province's donation is the largest contribution to the campaign to date.

"This investment in the Building Hope campaign shows the government's understanding of the need to help disadvantaged people, and that the Salvation Army is both caring and cost effective in providing that support," said campaign chair Bill Black.

In February, the province donated $200,000 to the Good Neighbour Program which helps low income Nova Scotians buy heating oil. The 2008-09 budget commits to double the province's contribution to $400,000.