During the Christmas holiday season, there are millions of out-of-office (OOO) emails sent. For the most part, these OOO messages contain the same boring message. But The Salvation Army wants to use them to help the one in seven Canadians living in poverty who likely can’t afford to take time off.

“We’re hoping that Canadians will embrace this challenge to be generous instead of generic with their OOO emails,” says John McAlister, national director of marketing and communications. “We see this as an opportunity to help The Salvation Army feed, clothe, shelter and empower those in need.”

The premise is simple and easy to implement. Just copy and paste the text below into your OOO message: 

Thank you for your message. I am out of office on holiday. But 1 in 7 Canadians struggling to make ends meet can’t always afford to take time off. While you wait for me to return, please donate to The Salvation Army and make this holiday season a happy one for everyone.

Donate Now: www.salvationarmy.ca/ooo

If you’re also going to be away, donate your own out-of-office email by copying and pasting this one.