Doing The Most Good

The Salvation Army broke ground  today on The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for Augusta, Georgia! The impressive 85,000 sq. foot facility will be built on a 17+ acre campus and feature a social service center; arts, education and worship center; and an indoor aquatics and recreation center.

The Salvation Army’s Kroc Community Center in Augusta is part of a great vision held by Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. She desired to build state-of-the-art facilities in underserved communities throughout the nation with the highest quality recreational and arts facilities so that all children would have equal opportunities to build their natural gifts and talents. In 2003, Mrs. Kroc passed away, and entrusted to The Salvation Army the largest gift ever given to a private charity for the express purpose of building and endowing Kroc Centers. The first Kroc Center was completed in San Diego, California in 2001.

In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, The Kroc Center in Augusta will provide facilities, programs and services to encourage and enable children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors.

Members of the Augusta area will hardly be able to wait until its anticipated 2011 opening! The facility will feature anything one could ever want. The recreation center will house a full size fitness center, as well as an aquatic center with waterslide, splash park, and lap lanes – perfect for exercise and play.

The arts, education, and worship center also has plenty to offer. In this center will be located The Salvation Army’s chapel, offices, 400-seat theater, and computer lab. There are also classrooms for education, art , dance, and music rehearsal. Drop-off childcare will also be offered with an outdoor playground for kids.  In addition, there is a 270-seat Banquet Center and teaching kitchen to enable job skills training.

Furthermore, a full continuum of services will be provided in the Kroc Center, including a food pantry, rent and utilities assistance, and VA services.

On top of these incredible features that will benefit the local community, the Kroc Center will create approximately 102 full-time and part-time jobs.

The Salvation Army is excited that construction on the Augusta Kroc Center has begun! For more information, visit The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory page here.

For more information on the Joan Kroc’s vision for The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, visit The Salvation Army’s national website here.

The Groundhog saw his shadow today, and if the rodent’s predictions are accurate, that means we have six more weeks of bitter winter weather.

Some people prefer the cold season, and others might find the chilly temperatures an inconvenience, but for the homeless, such a forecast could have severly grim consequences. Without knowing where their next meal will come from, and living without roof or bed, the lack of the most basic necessities turns icy temperatures into a matter of life and death for the homeless.

“I probably wouldn’t have survived,” recalled Herbert “Herb” David Gardner of Chattanooga, Tennessee, referring to the long, frigid nights sleeping on docks and living inside a tent before he found the local Salvation Army warming shelter about a month ago.

Another homeless man told Salvation Army Captain Bob Mullins “I would have died if you didn’t have this shelter to come to,” referring to a unit in Huntington, West Virginia, where temperatures have plunged into the lower teens.

Salvation Army shelters across the country are on the front lines battling this years’ exceptionally harsh winter, opening their doors to homeless people seeking refuge from the blistery elements. Within these safe havens, those in need have found a warm place to sleep, hot meals, winter clothing and blankets, and other items that will help keep them safe through the dangerously cold nights.

Passing through the shelter doors are young and old, families and individuals, those who have spent much of their life on the streets and others who are seeking help for the first time in light of a difficult economy. The size and amenities of each Salvation Army shelter vary and are tailored to the needs of each community, but all share the mission of meeting the needs of those they serve.

According to Captain Mullins, the organization’s shelter in Huntington averages more than forty men, women, and children each night, and within one day they recently served more than 600 meals and 1,000 drinks. They’ve also handed out numerous blankets, hygiene kits, shoes, and winter clothing items, all which are direly needed by the shelter’s patrons.

This week a rescue squad brought a couple into the Huntington shelter that was found in the subfreezing temperatures with nothing but a cardboard box as protection. Another man who came in had developed frostbite after holes in his shoes left his feet exposed to the elements. At the shelter these people and others were finally able to have their physical needs cared for, as well as their mental and spiritual needs through opportunities to participate in activities such as Praise and Worship and a Bible study, programs offered in one form or another by many Salvation Army shelters across the country.

Thanks to generous donations from local community members and organizations, Salvation Army shelters are able to provide much needed supplies and support for the homeless. However, with the long cold spells and significant crowds entering their doors, shelters are continually seeking and gratefully accepting donations, including monetary contributions, clothing and outerwear, bedding, heaters, and volunteer help, so that they may continue to faithfully serve vulnerable individuals and families.

“We watch the news and weather hoping and praying there will be a break in these extremely cold temperatures, but we are prepared to remain open until it is safe for those who have become like family to return to those places they call home,” said Captain Mullins.

And as Salvation Army staff and volunteers work tirelessly to mitigate the dangers of the cold weather, the diligent efforts of those in Chattanooga have inspired their homeless patron Herb Gardner. After seeking shelter with The Salvation Army almost two months ago, Herb says he is motivated to get off the streets and get his life back on track. Not only is he involved with The Salvation Army shelter program to outline weekly goals, find a job, and hunt for his own apartment, he also spends many days volunteering at a local community kitchen.

“I try to give back for people that’s given to me,” Herb said. “I’m trying to look forward and change my life. And without this place I would have never been able to do it, I don’t think. The Salvation Army is such a great place. It’s a blessing from God for this place even being here.”

If the Groundhog is correct, we hope at least that it is a mild six weeks for the sake of those who are left vulnerable to the wintry elements, but, whatever the weather, The Salvation Army’s shelter doors will continue to remain open for those in need.

Target's Super Love Sender online campaign is a creative, free way for people to support a charity of their choice while getting in the Valentine's Day/Super Bowl Spirit.

Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl Sunday are only a week apart, and Target is celebrating with a two-week-long online giving campaign through their Facebook page at facebook.com/Target!

Their ‘Super Love Sender’ campaign, which runs from January 31 through February 14, 2010, combines football and romance just in time for these special days. Participants will decide how 5 national charities will receive a portion of $1 million donation from Target to fund educational programming. The charities are:

• The Salvation Army
• Kids In Need Foundation
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• United Way
• United Through Reading® Military Program

Through Super Love Sender, participants can send a funny, football-inspired valentine video card to significant others, friends, and family in support of the charity of their choice. Best of all, the cards are free to participants!  Every time an online video card is sent, the selected charity will receive one vote.  The total percentage of votes will correlate to the charities’ portion of the $1 million received in a one-time donation from Target.

I won’t tell you who to root for during the Super Bowl, BUT, I will, of course, encourage you to select the Salvation Army when sending out your Super Love Sender cards. The Salvation Army will use funds to support the educational enrichment of children and families during the back-to-school timeframe.

When I checked out the Super Love Sender and made my own card, I was truly impressed by Target’s creativity! You can customize your online card by selecting from 3 themes: a song, dance, or poem, all performed by goofy football players on a stage of plush pink. These athletes may not be the most macho guys in the huddle, but they will score a laugh.

If you’re thinking about a significant other, the poem theme may be the way to go (the football player’s cougar growl is worthy of provoking a smile), and the dance theme would be great for anyone ( the ‘freestyle scrimmage’ and ‘man in motion choreography’ are just a few examples of the dance moves to choose from).

Participants can send a maximum of 10 video cards per computer per day, throughout the campaign.  All votes and dollars allocated will be updated in real time on the Target Facebook Page, and the final donation allocation will be announced on February 15, 2010.

And thank you to Target for creating a fun and innovative campaign to support charities and education. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week for education, the arts, social services and volunteerism nationwide.

Once you create a card for someone special, be sure to leave a comment on our blog about how you chose to personalize it and your tips for other participants!

Can you make a mean red velvet cake? Or have you perfected your downward facing dog? Do you even know what that means?

If baking or yoga isn’t your thing, no worries. Whatever your hobby or talent, you can use your skills to support the ongoing reliefs effort in Haiti. Concerned citizens are getting creative to find ways they can help, from holding auctions to giving haircuts to hosting bake sales, and donating the financial proceeds to aid organizations.

USA Today reports on a few ways individuals across the country  have done what they do best and made it work for Haiti:

Beverly Grubbs of  Terre Haute, Indiana  helped arrange an auction and potato-bar lunch at Indiana State University’s Cunningham Memorial Library, raising more than $1,200.

Terra Sky Center for Wellness in Summit, New Jersey is offering free yoga and fitness classes in exchange for donations of $25.

Patti Christopherson of  Sedalia, Missouri enlisted volunteers to make delicious lasagna and garlic bread  for delivery  to local businesses at a suggested $5 donation.

The Men’s Club barbershop in Wilmington, Delaware will donate the $23 each customer paid for haircuts last week.

And remember, it’s not about how much you raise but the effort put into it. Major Hood, The Salvation Army National Headquarters’ National Community Relations Secretary, affirmed in the USA Today article that every little bit helps, describing small donations as our “bread and butter.”

So, the question is, what ordinary skill or task can you use to help make an extraordinary difference?

If you need a little more time to brainstorm, or have already raised proceeds for Haiti relief, consider donating to The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in the island nation since 1960 and is actively working with the community to support relief and reconstruction. You can make contributions by:

• Visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
• Calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Texting the word HAITI to 52000 and confirming with the word, “yes.”
• Sending a check or money order to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

As The Salvation Army continues to coordinate efforts with the UN, local government, and other relief agencies in Haiti to provide the most assistance to the neediest of the disaster survivors, our team provided an update on their latest efforts.

Here’s a breakdown of important numbers highlighting the hard work of our personnel on-the-ground in the Port-au-Prince area:

• 260 + – The number of people provided medical treatment each day by Salvation Army medical teams.
• 802 – The total number of patients who have received treatment by medical professionals at The Salvation Army compound as of Thursday, Jan 21.
• 10,000 – The capacity in liters of a water bladder installed near The Salvation Army Port-au-Prince compound, along with a water purification filtering system to provide clean water to distressed Haitians.
• 10,000 – The amount of MRE’s (Meals Ready-to-Eat) distributed by the Salvation Army on Thursday with the help of UN security personnel. MRE’s were provided by the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP).
• 4,000 – The number of pairs of light-weight shoes provided to disaster victims on Thursday.
• 5.75 million – Dollars raised as of Wednesday morning by The Salvation Army for relief efforts in Haiti.
• 42 – The total amount of international emergency disaster responders deployed to Haiti by The Salvation Army.
• 14 – The number of medical professionals assisting Salvation Army personnel.
• 75+ – The number of Haitians who have decided to commit their lives to Christ and are being encouraged through The Salvation Army’s spiritual counseling and church-related activities.
• 700 – The amount of Salvation Army officers and staff permanently stationed in Haiti who are responding to the needs of people there.
• 60 – Years The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti operating schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through community centers across the country.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, you can donate through :
•     Online Credit Card Contributions or PayPal
•    Text ‘HAITI’ to 52000
•    Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
•    Mail a check or money order to:
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

People Magazine is celebrating 35 years and they’re giving you a chance to give away some gifts.

Once you register and tell People what your favorite charity is, 35 people will be chosen at random to win $1000 for that charity.   That’s a possibility of $35,000!

Do some good for the Army: learn more and register today and help The Salvation Army!

It’s easy to support an organization that you know to be doing good in the community.  It’s not difficult to send a check or say a prayer to support good deeds.

Ultimately the greatest reward is seeing the faces of those impacted by your time, talent and donations.

The Salvation Army National Headquarters is highlighting a series of ads done by The Richards Group that introduces you, the supporters of the Army, with the people you’ve helped.

The first of the five-ad series is below and discusses the Delaware job-finding program.

All of the ads, and additional videos, can be found on the Army’s YouTube channel.

Now through October 1st, shoppers at Kroger Supermarkets can “round up” the balance of their purchases to help those affected by floods in Georgia.

WTOC News in Savannah, Georgia, reported that through “The Round Up” Program customers can give money to benefit the flood victims by “rounding up” their purchases to the nearest dollar. Customers can also make a monetary donation at any Kroger in Georgia to help provide food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies and other necessities.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 families have been affected by the nearly $250 million of weather-related damage that has ravaged north Georgia.  To better assist the Salvation Army in providing aid to those affected by the severe weather and floods, Kroger’s Atlanta Division will also donate $50,000 in gift cards to the organization and will also provide two truckloads of water to those in need.

Remember those affected by the floods as you shop at Kroger and donate your change to do some good in the lives of those recovering from this natural disaster.  You can also donate – no matter how little or much – online on the national Salvation Army website, by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or by mailing a donation to your local Salvation Army.

This weekend another Kroc Center will open; this time in Salem, OR.

The centers, funded by the estate of Ray and Joan Kroc, are planned for multiple, diverse communities across the country and will help bring jobs and needed resources to families and children awaiting help.

Stephen Carpenter, director of the Kroc Center in Memphis, Tennessee, wrote a column in the Commercial Appeal sharing some of the personal testimonies of those anticipating the help the Kroc Centers will offer.

In his column, Carpenter shares stories of how the Krocs’ generosity – the largest such in the history of the US – will personally impact the community in which it stands.

Is your city getting a Kroc Center?  Is it already open?  Tell us how the opening of a Kroc Center in your community has or will impact your life.

The Salvation Army knows that need knows no season.

Unfortunately, in a troubled economy with more people than ever before seeking help from social service agencies, the Army – and many similar organizations – has found itself in need of help.

Food kitchens and pantries across the country have seen exponential increase in the community’s need for their services.  However, as need continues to rise, donations are becoming few and far between.

However, for one Salvation Army Food Pantry in Austin, Minnesota, the calvary has arrived.

The Austin Daily Herald reports that the United Way’s board of directors in that locale will make a $15,000 donation from their Emergency Fund to assist the Salvation Army in paying its bills.

According to the article, the Army had sent out a plea for help to the community and all of its major donors for help.  The United Way, recognizing the Austin Salvation Army as a sponsored partner, awarded the grant from its Emergency Fund.

Sadly, the story of the Austin Salvation Army is commonplace the nation over.  While are generous during the Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at Christmas, donations of time, talent and money are less plentiful throughout the year when the funds are still needed to support daily social services to the community.

You can help the Army in your area, too, by making a donation.  Online donations can be made here or you can call 1-800-SAL-Army.  You can even mail donations to your local Salvation Army using the National Website’s zip code locator, located in the upper right-hand corner of the site’s homepage.

Be a hero…do some good!

(photo by Eric Johnson) Lori Blanton, case manager for the Salvation Army, stands in the a store room at the Salvation Army that sits low on food items. The Salvation Army, a source for those in need, has now found itself in need, partly because of the struggling economy.