Dome Donation Day is Saturday
10/14/2010 7:47:21 PM | Football
Orange fans can support the community while cheering on the Orange this Saturday. Salvation Army Dome Donation Day, a 30-year tradition, marks the official start of The Salvation Army's holiday drive that will help feed well more than 3,500 families in need in our community. It is the largest single-day canned food drive in the area.
Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable items or monetary donations to deposit in the barrels outside the Carrier Dome prior to attending SU's game against Pittsburgh (12:00 p.m.). It marks the University's homecoming/reunion weekend known as Orange Central. Tickets are available online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The 12th Man Ticket Package features 12 tickets, four Skytop parking passes, Block 'S' stickers for business locations and a football autographed by head coach Doug Marrone. The Tops $44 Family Package includes two adult and two youth tickets, two 'Cuse Kids Club memberships, a seat cushion, a coupon for a Pepsi 12-pack and a Tops Friendly Market sub coupon.
“We served a record numbers of families last year and have continued to see a significant increase in need this year,” said Major Dave Champlin, Area Coordinator at The Salvation Army. “We anticipate more families will be asking for assistance in order to have a Christmas meal at home together and enough food to feed their children during the school break.”
Continuing an annual tradition, CXtec, TERACAI, and its employees will help make the day both fun and successful by handing out commemorative pom-poms to the first 6,000 SU fans that drop off a bag of food in the donation barrels located outside the Dome. CXtec and TERACAI both contributed funding to offset the expenses for the event. Delaney Moving and Storage also sponsors Dome Donation Day.
“Our employees at CXtec and TERACAI look forward to Dome Donation Day every year because it's a great way to kick off the holiday season while helping those in need,” said William G. Pomeroy, Founder and CEO of CXtec and TERACAI. “Now more than ever, we feel it is important to support the work of The Salvation Army. Being the major corporate sponsor of Dome Donation Day is just one way we can help as the need for their services continues to grow.”
Food donation barrels displaying the red Salvation Army shield will be placed around the outside of the Carrier Dome on Saturday so that SU fans can easily drop off food before taking their seats. Salvation Army red kettles will also be placed around the Dome to collect financial donations. Volunteers from various community groups, including Syracuse University, will be standing ready at the drop-off sites.
The first Dome Donation Day was held during the 1980 football season, the year the Carrier Dome opened, and has taken place every year since that time.
Food collected at Dome Donation Day and other drives held throughout the holiday season will be used in more than 3,500 food baskets distributed to needy families during Christmas Distribution Day at the Oncenter on Dec. 22.
With 40 programs, The Salvation Army served a record number of people last year. From July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 The Salvation Army served 39,479 people. Food and monetary donations from Dome Donation Day are needed now more than ever.
For more information, please contact Peter Irwin, the Director of Development, at 479-1319.
