Archive for September, 2009

When it comes to Ben Stein – his monotone voice, dry humor and sarcastic wit – most people either love him or hate him.

The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command is hoping for the former.

The Houston Business Journal reported that the Command will host Ben Stein as its keynote speaker at its annual luncheon fundraiser.

Though perhaps most famously known for his role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and as the dry spokesvoice for Visine ads, Stein is also a noted economist, bestselling author, comic, and former New York Times columnist.

The luncheon is scheduled for Nov. 3rd at the Hilton-Americas Hotel and the proceeds will benefit the Army’s programs in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties.

To learn more about the event or to get tickets, refer to the Greater Houston Area Command’s website.

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.

Today, the Daily Commercial reported that The Salvation Army in Leesburg, Florida, honored all current, retired and fallen members of the fire, police and EMS departments in the area.

According to the article, the third annual Public Safety Sunday began as a way to “remember the tragic losses of 9/11.”  Now, every emergency responder who attends – many come on fire trucks and in police cruisers and ambulances, vehicles of the trade – receive prayers and words of thanks from those gathered.

“We just felt that we needed to get together as a family because public safety is really a big family,” Salvation Army Chaplain Steve Griswold said.

Even though the anniversary of the September 11th attacks has passed, kudos to the Leesburg, Florida, Salvation Army, and all those who have taken time to honor the legacy and enduring work of the nation’s first responders.

I’m a huge fan of the television show “The Amazing Race.”  I enjoy watching the wacky team challenges and the team dynamics each week.  It’s a fascinating show simply because you get to see human communication and teamwork at its best – and sometimes its worst.

While I doubt I’d ever be brave enough to tryout for that show…or find a partner crazy enough to pair up for me for the weeks-long, globetrotting expedition, the Western Pennsylvania Salvation Army’s “The Most Amazing Race” looks like it’s going to be just as much fun.

Beginning with a qualifying event today, and the real, scavenger hunt-like challenge tomorrow, 25 teams will race around the city of Pittsburgh, completing zany physical and mental tasks along the way, for a chance to win a prize package that includes $5,000 for first place, two 32-inch flat screen televisions, four Steelers tickets and more.

All they had to do to earn a spot in the race was fundraise a minimum of $500 in the name of The Army.  The team that fundraised the most money will also win a cash prize at the race’s conclusion.

For those of you in the Pittsburgh area who’d like to cheer on the Army’s Most Amazing Racers, an itinerary of tomorrow’s events can be found here.

If you aren’t in the immediate Pittsburgh vicinity, but would still like to participate, consider making an online donation to the Army instead.

I was in high school, maybe college, before I realized that there was something known as a vintage doll community.  In it, the most avid of collectors often pay top dollar to add old Barbies and baby dolls to their collections.

By the time I was graduating college, some of the dolls I’d played with as a child were increasing in value.  Certainly though, after the many home haircuts and make-up experiments I’d put my dollsthrough as a child, they wouldn’t be worth anything to a collector.

But for those who held on to their childhood toys, keeping the packaging sometimes and ensuring their pristine condition, it can be an opportunity to do some good for others.

A Times Union article tells the Seventh Annual “Every Doll Needs A Home” Doll Auction.  The event supports The Salvation Army’s Evangeline Booth Miracle Home in New York, an emergency homeless shelter for women and their children, and this year 110 different dolls will be auctioned off.

Scheduled for next week, Thursday, September 24th, dolls are expected to go at prices anywhere from $2 to $200 and the proceeds go directly to maintaining upkeep at the Booth home and educational programs to help the women who stay there improve their lives.

I hadn’t the foresight – or the patience – to preserve my dolls as a child, but it’s encouraging to see that others are putting their collections to good use.

Do you have a unique collection or talent that you think could do some good for The Army?  Put it to use and do some good for someone else!

Captain Jolinda Shelbourn, Women's Ministries Director, left, talks with member of Women's Ministries Priscilla Boothe, right, of Bloomington, while playing bingo during The Salvation Army Women's Ministry in Bloomington Sunday late afternoon, September 13, 2009.(THE PANTAGRAPH/B MOSHER)

Being able to serve others efficiently means knowing the unique needs of your audience.

While The Salvation Army prides itself on its ability to help meet the basic needs of all men, women and children, it also knows that sometimes, special attention is a need all of its own.

The Salvation Army in Bloomington, Illinois, sought to meet that need for 25 girls and women as it hosted a Women’s Day event Sunday, September 13th.

Pantagraph.com covered the all-female party that offered everything from bingo to health screenings and certificates for free haircuts at the local cosmetology college.

“We’re hoping to touch the community,” said Capt. Jolinda Shelbourn, director of women’s ministries for the Salvation Army in McLean County.

“Women are working, teaching, raising their kids, and they need some time away, and we provide that. Sometimes, they just want something clean, free and fun that they can do with their families. We are trying to uphold women in society and let them know that there is a lot of good things they can do together or without anyone else.”

The Army intends to hold similar events once or twice per year.

Today, the national headquarters of The Salvation Army debuted its first-ever paperless annual report.  The innovative, interactive document is completely online and features compelling, first-person stories of the work the Army does.

“The digital annual report captures the work of The Salvation Army – and the stories of those we help – in a way that a paper report can’t,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army, in a statement about the annual report’s launch. “As more and more donors move online to learn about charities, this is one more way to quickly and easily learn about how charitable contributions are being used to help those in need.”

Utilizing Flash technology and dynamic design, the reader is encouraged to flow seamlessly from testimonials to financial statements without the necessity of flipping through a number of printed pages.

In addition to their cutting-edge  annual report, The Army also officially launched its social networking sites.  From the homepage visitors can quickly and easily visit The Army’s Twitter feed or Facebook fan page.  They can also browse photos on their Flikr page and watch more stirring videos on their YouTube Channel.

The roll-out of its new interactive communications arm is a sign of the times as The Army continues to look for ways to reach new audiences to tell the story of its work.

“The interactive format engages and educates current and potential donors in a more meaningful way,” said Stan Richards, founder and principal of The Richards Group, the company responsible for the new annual report format. “Audiences can now actually see where and how The Salvation Army is investing its time and money and hear directly from the beneficiaries.”

So, how will you choose to follow all of the good that The Salvation Army is doing?

Mrs. Deena Burnett Bailey, widow of Flight 93 victim Tom Burnett, wasn’t alone when she challenged the audience at the “God Bless America” luncheon to “do something.”

WDEF 12 News in Chattanooga, Tennessee, reported that the government also hopes people will remember the victims of 9/11 through service on a National Day of Service.

The United Way in Chattanooga sent volunteers out in honor of the day to serve throughout the area for their “Day of Caring”.

Local Ace Hardware owner, John Rutter, and his employees volunteered to build a garden for their local Salvation Army.  The Ace Hardware team installed three planters to house fruits, herbs and various vegetables.

The Salvation Army’s Major Jim Lawrence was hopeful that the produce from the garden could be used in the kitchen for its community feeding program.  They’ll also be used in the new culinary school the Army is establishing that just recently was granted approval.

The garden build at The Salvation Army was but one site where volunteers were able to serve in honor of the 9/11 victims.  In all, 51 projects were tackled in the Chattanooga area by 480 volunteers and nearly 2000 hours of service.

The work of a few people, over just a few hours, produced products and tools that will benefit the community for years to come.  What will you do to impact the future, in honor of the past?