Archive for August, 2009

The New Jersey Newsroom is running a four-part series on the New Jersey Salvation Army.

The third installment talks about Camp Tecumseh, a sprawling, 400-acre facility in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Entitled, “Camp Tecumseh Brings Salvation to New Jersey Kids,” the article follows the experience of a 19-year-old Newark man who believes the camp saved his life.

“I had just completed my first year of high school, and 29 of my classmates were killed that summer, murdered,” Darell Houseton said. “Most of it was gang-related. But some people were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, innocent bystanders. Twenty-nine is a lot. And I like to think that since I was at camp, I wasn’t No. 30, ‘cause some of these people were my friends.”

In addition to its youth camp, Tecumseh also opens its doors to veterans and seniors throughout the year for camp experiences catered to their needs.

Indeed, Camp Tecumseh is a respite that the Army endeavors to share with as many as possible.

We all need a break from time-to-time.  Stress at work, the neverending responsibilities of home, and all of the stuff in the middle can wear anyone down.  The monotony of routines.  The auto-pilot we often find ourselves working and living in.  Every now and then we all feel the need for a break.

Now what if – for whatever reason – there was no break to be had from your worries?  No vacation days.  No partner to pick up the slack.  No support system to help get you through rough times.  No moment to just slow down, take a minute and breathe.  Then what?

For so many – especially those who are able to enjoy Camp Tecumseh and the hundreds of similar Salvation Army camps across the country – there is no respite from their troubles.

The homeless, the disadvantaged, the neglected.

Through our youth camps, Kroc and recreation centers, veterans and senior programs, and Community Cares programs, The Salvation Army offers thousands of opportunities to escape, if only for a moment.  The services that we offer echo our belief that only once people have inner peace – no worries for food, shelter or immediate needs- can that peace be reflected in their lives.

For those very reasons the work that the Army does is so much more than saving souls.  Sometimes people just need to be saved from one nightmarish week, one day.  So while eternal salvation is our ultimate goal, salvation from isolation, despair, frustration and being overwhelmed are equally as important.

The Bremerton Salvation Army in Washington state brought together the area’s homeless with elected officials for its “Lunch with Electeds.”

The Kitsap Sun writes that, over a lunch of  turkey and potatoes, “society’s downtrodden” got some face time with city council members, mayoral candidates and state representatives.

“The homeless told lawmakers about a number of daily challenges, like finding a ride when Kitsap Transit is reducing service because of budget issues. Others spoke of the difficulty in making themselves presentable for a job or job interview, with limited opportunities for showers and haircuts.”

“The things you just take for granted,” said Fred Chang, Port Orchard city councilman.

The Salvation Army is doing its part.  The article reports that the Bremerton Salvation Army is planning to open a hygiene center adjacent to its downtown location to help the homeless overcome cleanliness obstacles on their way to gaining employment.  They’ve also asked lawmakers for help on creating a winter shelter that homeless people could use during the cold-weather months and for continued communication between agencies that work with the homeless and lawmakers and police agencies.

One meal at a time, one story at a time, lives are being changed.

It can be easy to separate ourselves from the marginalized of our society; to explain away or justify reasons why our lives are so different.  But events like this remind us that no matter our station in life, we are all the same with the same fundamental needs: food, shelter, and access to opportunities.

Indeed, the Bremerton Salvation Army’s lunch is a great example of the Army’s goal to meet human needs wherever and however.  Although we’ve evolved from the years where “soap, soup and salvation” was our slogan, we are always mindful of our beginnings and how offering people the very basics can often open doors in their futures that were never options before.

Chef Cecil Morris Jr. serving. (Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army)

USA Today‘s story, “Homeless People Learn to Feed Others as Chefs,” talks about Cecil Morris, Jr., a once homeless, drug- and alcohol-addict who spent a year in The Salvation Army’s adult rehabilitation center and now works as the culinary arts director at The Salvation Army in his community.

Now a chef himself, Morris teaches the skills he learned from the chef in his rehab program to the unemployed he interacts with everyday.

There’s an old saying:  “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime” (author unknown).  Indeed Chef Morris, and the estimated 500 other trained chefs working full-time to feed the needy, are both giving men fish and teaching them to fish.

Many of the services The Salvation Army offers are created to fulfill the immediate, urgent needs of people, but to also give them the knowledge, training and connections to secure a better future for themselves.  From Sunday Corps services to disaster response and back-to-school supply drives, we believe in teaching a man to fish.

Chef Morris believes that he’s found his calling.   “I believe I was placed here for a reason,” he said.  “I’m a light to guys who knew me from the street. They see me now, and they see how far I’ve come.”

What skills do you have?  Could they help someone else make it to the next level in their lives? Use your talents to help others, show them how to help themselves, and you’ll be Doing The Most Good.

Check out photos of some more of The Salvation Army’s Top Chefs.

A Salvation Army thrift store in Houston, Texas, is displaying a strange ware – by thrift store standards.  According to the Houston Chronicle, the store is showcasing a small collection of artwork all attributed to renowned artist Salvador Dali – complete with certificates of authenticity.

The collection, the article continues, was the second of its kind “donated by an anonymous woman who deeply believes in the Salvation Army’s mission, said assistant store manager Carl Roberts.”

The first donation was sold on eBay, Roberts told the reporter.  “But this time,” Roberts said, “we wanted to give our community here something different, something to see.”

Isn’t that what the work of The Salvation Army is about?  Offering hope, changing the seemingly smallest of circumstances, so that someone can see…see their way clear of a difficult time…see the silver lining in the midst of a storm…see the hope in their despair.

The display of valuable Dali items will soon be rehomed.  The thrift store is accepting written bids for the collection now.  But in the meantime, they are available for viewing, showing something different to folks coming into a second-hand store and perhaps expecting the same ol’, same ol’.

…And that’s what’s refreshing about this story, and about the mission of the Army, even when people come looking for the same ol’ stuff, expecting nothing special, the Army offers them something different, something to see in themselves, in their communities, and in their future.

Linda Haskins, places a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle in front of Farmfresh located at 30 Town Center Way. (Karen Hymes, Daily Press / July 25, 2009)

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about how many local Salvation Army units across the country are putting out red kettles a bit early this year for special summer fundraising efforts. The New York Times even blogged about the effort a few weeks back and NBC mentioned the campaign on the Nightly News.

As Nightly News anchor Brian Williams put it:

“While they may seem out of season, for the first time since the recession back in the ’70s, they have been forced to fan out early in 25 cities, from New York to Cleveland to Lawrence, Kansas, because they need the money for those they care for.”

While it’s not unheard of for a local community to put out kettles “off-season,” it is unusual and we’ve definitely seen more of it this year during the economic slowdown.

Now some areas have completed the campaign (for the summer anyway) and had a chance to count up the money that will go to help people in need. The public’s continued generosity, even during these difficult times, is truly impressive. In Hampton Roads (Tidewater), VA, for example, The Salvation Army raised more than $17,000 during the month-long campaign.

As always, this money will go directly back to the community to support local programs. In the Tidewater region, fundraising will support Veterans Transitional Housing program for military veterans:

“More than $2,700 of that money will go toward the Veteran Transitional Housing program run by the Virginia Peninsula Command, which represents Newport News, Hampton, Gloucester and lower York County. The program provides housing for homeless veterans, said Matthew Pochily, spokesman for the Tidewater Command, which serves Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. He said the remainder of the money will go to programs in the Tidewater Command.”

Read more from the local Daily Press newspaper here.

An anonymous woman who spent £5,200 (more than $8,500 US) in a Wandsworth charity shop has been dubbed “the mystery angel” by volunteers.

The woman, who begged her identity remain a secret, strolled into the Salvation Army in Wandsworth High Street just before closing time last Friday and almost bought up the shop.

Six exhausted workers stayed until 8.30pm helping her pack up the goods, which included everything from designer clothes to children’s desks.

Shop manager Richard Baggaley said: “We were a bit worried that she was a lunatic who was just going to say goodbye and leave, but she has paid.

“She’s gone from being the barmy lady to the mystery angel.”

The woman, a church-goer in her 60s, said she was collecting items for a school she was setting up in Kingston, Jamaica.

According to workers, she did not give details but simply said: “You have helped me in the past and I hope to make good use of these things for the future of those less fortunate than me.”

She bought an estimated 1,000 brick-a-brack items, including about 100 pencil sets, a leather reclining chair and several paintings.

She also cleaned out the designer rail, buying Ralph Lauren shirts for all of her new teachers.

The goods completely filled the Salvation Army’s three and a half tonne truck used to deliver the load later in the week.

Soon they will be shipped over to Jamaica in a giant metal container to start a new life.

Mr Baggaley said: “The first batch of customers who came the next day asked if we were closing down, because there was so little stuff on the shelves.

“The call from the Salvation Army now is, we need more furniture again – although people have already been very generous.”

By Eleanor Harding
Your Local Guardian.uk.com
United Kingdom

Tom Uden, writing for The Korea Herald, talks about The Army’s impact in a country on the other side of the world.

It is a tricky thing to claim, and an even harder thing to do, but the Salvation Army really does God’s work. “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination,” according to their Web site.

Known universally for its charity work, the “sally army,” as it is unofficially known, was started in the late 1800s by British preacher Charles Booth.

In Korea the Salvation Army uses thrift stores to help support their various shelters for some of the disadvantaged members of society, including drug addicts and alcoholics.

The Adult Rehabilitation Centre is the institute the Army uses to aid those that need help and it receives all the money raised from its stores.

The ARC works in a tier program; upon entering the program, addicts receive a six to 12 month medical program to physically cure them of their dependencies.

Then they undergo counseling to help them mentally overcome their addictions and they receive management counseling to enable them to become productive.

The final step is working at a recycling plant run by the Army. The Army states that, “By working at the center’s recycling factory, people will not only learn to work but also learn to cooperate with others, and ultimately get a salary of 800,000 won.”

The Salvation Army really cares about helping. They do not only want to provide the less-than-fortunate with a place to sleep or a full belly, the Army wants to help people help themselves, and to provide them with the tools to do that.

The funds for these programs come from shops operated by the Army members and their families. Most of the shops sell donated clothes, appliances and furniture.

However, some have associated food outlets, the main purpose of which is to aid those such as the elderly, the disabled and young homeowners who may not be able to obtain the basic foods they need on a daily basis.

Sally’s coffee outlet is another source of funds which enables the Salvation Army to aid others.

The Army also relies on donations from philanthropists including Fiona Uden, the wife of British Ambassador Martin Uden, who tries to help in her own way.

“Every Christmas I do something I call the ‘warming tree’. It is where I ask for members of our staff at the embassy to donate gloves, hats, and winter scarves that we peg onto a Christmas tree and give to needy and homeless people.

“Also whenever somebody from the embassy leaves, I ask them if there are any of their belongings that they will not need at their next posting and if they would not mind donating it,” said Uden

Uden has volunteered at the Army’s Bridge Centre which provides food to the homeless.

“The work the Salvation Army does is imperative. There are more and more young people in need of help. In the financial crisis they are losing their jobs, they are losing their homes, they end up on the street and many turn to substance abuse. The Salvation Army is there, they care and they help,” added Uden.

Currently there are nine family-run Army stores in the Seoul area: The Namdaemun Store at Hoehyeon station exit 4; Seongdong at Sangwangsimni station, exit 4; Ahyeon Store at Aeogae station, exit 4; Daehak-ro at Hyehwa station, exit 4; Mapo #1 Store at World Cup Stadium station, exit 1; Mapo #2 Store at Gwangheungchang station, exit 4; Bugahyeon Store at Ahyeon station; Seodaemun Store at Seodaemun station, exit 1; and Yeonhui Store at Hongje station, exit 3.

Bellaire, OH — As you can imagine with a fire like this, many families are left without the essentials.

And that’s when the Salvation Army kicks into high gear.

As soon as they learned the fire had started, the Salvation Army’s mobile canteen truck was on site to aid, not only the families, but the firefighters, as well.

Now, they need your help in getting needed supplies to those left homeless. The Salvation Army is asking for everything from clothing to money to aid these families.

Bellaire Salvation Army Captain Louis Patrick said, “we have a forty two bed shelter, here and we only have twenty seven people staying here so I have room for them to stay right here which will help alleviate some of the costs if they have to stay in a hotel or somewhere else. In addition, we’ll help them with clothing.”

If you would like to donate items, you can drop them off at the Salvation Army headquarters in Bellaire at 315 37th Street.

By Jim Forbes
The State Journal Newspaper
Belmont County, Ohio

(Beaumont, TX)- The Salvation Army of Texas has been busy this summer as in years past, preparing to respond to any potential storm threats during the 2009 Hurricane Season. “Yesterday, we were called to respond to a different kind of natural emergency in Beaumont, Texas” said Major James Taylor. “Hurricane season may be in full swing, but we are also ready and prepared locally to meet the needs of other storms and emergencies like this one, year round” he finished.

The Salvation Army was quick to deploy yesterday in response to the unexpected EF-1 tornado that ripped through a busy shopping area in Beaumont, Texas. A mobile feeding unit was sent to the most affected location, beside the local Wal-Mart and Kohl’s stores. Service to cleanup and repair crews began right away.

Major Floiran Estrada, The Salvation Army Officer who oversees the Beaumont area said that service will continue today to responders as needed. “Fortunately there were no fatalities or damage to residential areas,” he said. The Salvation Army will continue focusing services towards supporting cleanup crews and workers on site who are in need of refreshment.

Please visit www.salvationarmytexas.org to continue following Salvation Army response to the Beaumont Tornado. The number of individuals served through the mobile feeding unit will be posted later today.

Matthew Pochily of the Tidwater (Virginia) Command tells the Daily Press how their summer fundraising will benefit the Army’s efforts for the rest of the year.

Salvation Army branches throughout Hampton Roads raised nearly $17,400 during their first Christmas in July campaign last month, officials said Tuesday.

The economic downturn prompted the philanthropic organization to bring out its iconic bell ringers and red kettles, which are usually reserved for the Christmas season, during the summer to raise money.

Each branch recruited volunteers to stand in front of Farm Fresh stores on each Saturday last month to ring bells and collect donations. The money raised was to go toward a program designed by each branch.

Salvation Army branches in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Hampton raised $8,660 during the campaign.

More than $2,700 of that money will go toward the Veteran Transitional Housing program run by the Virginia Peninsula Command, which represents Newport News, Hampton, Gloucester and lower York County. The program provides housing for homeless veterans, said Matthew Pochily, spokesman for the Tidewater Command, which serves Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. He said the remainder of the money will go to programs in the Tidewater Command.

Williamsburg’s branch raised about $5,300 for its Apple Tree program, which provides clothing and school supplies for underprivileged children, Pochily said.

Meanwhile, Gloucester raised a little more than $3,400 for a variety of programs, officials said.

by Tyra M. Vaughn
Daily Press Newspaper
Newport News, Virginia