Posts Tagged ‘Community Service’

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.

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.

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?

The Salvation Army of Jamestown (New York) received a $97,900 grant from the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County for 2009-10.

The Post-Journal reported that the Army will use the money to fund four support services programs: the Comprehensive Financial Assistance Program, the Children and Family Outreach Program, the Non-Residential Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, and the Residential Domestic Violence Shelter.  Learn more about each program here.

Individuals may contact The Salvation Army at 716-664-4108 for even more information.

The United Way’s grant to the Jamestown Salvation Army is but one example of social service organizations uniting and supporting one another to do good.  Often, especially during disaster response efforts, the Army works side-by-side with The United Way, The American Red Cross and others to achieve one common goal: serving and supporting victims and survivors of tragedy.

The Salvation Army is fortunate enough to have new partners join in their work to serve others daily.  Citizens across the country – and even the world – are always donating of their time and talents to the Army.

When they heard that their local Salvation Army was in need, members of the Sabine Federal Credit Union in Texas sprang into action.

According to The Record Newspaper, in just over a week’s time, the employees had collected over 380 food items. They also contributed and received monetary donations from board of directors totaling $175.  On top of these contributions, a corporate donation of $1,000 was made. Way to go!

So, if you’re concerned that, alone, what you do isn’t making a great enough impact, take a cue from The United Way and the Sabine FCU: don’t recreate the wheel.  Recognize the good others do and join them.  This is Doing The Most Good.