Archive 2008
The Salvation Army Begins Kettle Campaign
Published Thursday, November 23rd, 2006
By Nathan Isaacs, Herald staff writer
The Salvation Army's red kettles are a holiday season tradition and the organization's largest annual fundraiser, with the money helping Tri-Citians in need throughout the year.
Between 30 and 35 kettles are strategically placed throughout the Tri-Cities on any given day between the Friday before Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, said Capt. Raymond Erickson-King, spokesman and manager of the organization's Richland facility.
He said the kettles would be out until Dec. 23 this year because the faith-based organization doesn't "ring on Sundays." He said the organization serves people without discrimination, including over 10,000 from the Tri-Cities in 2005.
Erickson-King said kettle donations last year added up to $143,000.
In 1891, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco wanted to provide a free Christmas dinner to the poor and used a large pot outside at a ferry landing to collect donations to pay for the food, according to the organization's Web site. That launched the kettles, which are now used worldwide. More than 6 million people nationally were helped by the Salvation Army between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year.
Erickson-King said the money helps provide counseling, rent and utility assistance, clothing, furniture, emergency shelters, toiletries, school supplies and haircuts for children as well as summer day camps for children. The money also pays for food baskets and toys during the holiday season.
The organization operates on a $1.3 million budget and relies on the kettle drive, as well as money from United Way, unsolicited donations, in-kind donations and other sources.
"We just like to the tell the community, 'Thank you,' " Erickson-King said. "We're trying to do the most good with people's time, resources and money."
For more information, call 943-7977 or visit www.salvationarmybf.org.
Red Kettles
In 1891, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco determined to do something about the poor people in the community by providing a free Christmas dinner. To pay for the food, he put a large pot outside at a ferry landing in a spot where those using the ferry boats could easily see it. This launched the tradition of the Christmas kettle which has spread all over the United States. Last year, The Salvation Army in the United States helped over 6 million people at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Additionally, Kettles are used worldwide, including Korea, Japan, Chile and Europe. Everywhere, public contributions to the kettles enables The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who otherwise be forgotten - the aged and lonely, ill, poor and disadvantaged, or inmates of jails and other institutions.
Being a part of the kettle effort is a way for each of us to help others in our community.
For more information, call (509) 943-7977.
Hurricane Katrina, 1 Year Later - 08/26/2006
[Salvation Army National Public Relations]
ALEXANDRIA, VA (August 28, 2006) - In the year since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army has undertaken the largest disaster response effort in its history, allocating donations of more than $365 million to serve more than 1.7 million people in nearly every state. By way of comparison, the amount donated is more than three times greater than the $86 million given after September 11th - - the Army's second largest mobilization - -and is more than twelve times greater than the $30 million donated for the Midland Floods.
"The unbearable devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina was met by the most incredible outpouring of support that we have ever seen from donors across the country and around the world," said National Commander Israel L. Gaither. "And, we continue to be amazed by the number of volunteers who are offering their dedicated support. But, there is still much work to be done."
The Army's immediate response to Hurricane Katrina included the mobilization of more than 178 canteen feeding units and 11 field kitchens which together have served more than 5.7 million hot meals, 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks & drinks. Its SATERN network of amateur ham-radio operators picked up where modern communications left off to help locate more than 25,000 survivors. And, Salvation Army pastoral care counselors were on hand to comfort the emotional and spiritual needs of 277,000 individuals.
Throughout the country, the Army's existing Corps have accepted countless survivors into their traditional social service network to help families relocate and transition their lives. As part of the overall effort, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have contributed more than 900,000 hours of service.
"This recovery is not over yet," said Major Dalton Cunningham, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army's Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Division. "One year barely covers the amount of time we'll need. Many people throughout the Gulf Coast are still recovering from the shock while trying to rebuild their lives and resume some sense of normalcy. They need more help and we will continue to do all we can."
For the long-term the Army has shifted to recovery and rebuilding the hardest hit areas along the Gulf Coast. Half-way through its two-year minimum commitment, programs include: · Volunteer villages in New Orleans, LA, and Biloxi, MS, to feed and house relief workers · A Community Capacity Fund that provides financial and material assistance, such as school supplies, to local community organizations for projects that broadly benefit the community's survivors · Community assistance centers which serve as the social service hub for survivors · Partnerships with a variety of non-profit organizations that specialize in repairing or rebuilding homes in the most devastated communities · Homeownership grants in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and · Employment education services through the National Business Service Alliance's Job Readiness Training Program.
Of the $365 million received in public donations, $297 million has been spent or allocated to be spent along the Gulf Coast. The additional $68 million is being used to help Katrina survivors who have relocated - particularly in Texas and the surrounding states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Florida. But this is truly a nationwide effort. In Kansas City, MO, for example, The Salvation Army has committed to helping over 300 Katrina evacuee families who have relocated to the area with practical assistance to help meet their daily needs.
Financial and in-kind donations were received from private donors throughout the country as well as many large gifts from a spectrum of corporations nationwide, including: Wal-Mart, BancorpSouth, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi Cola, among others.
The Army also participated in the Katrina Aid Today program, serving more than16,000 households, or 42,000 individuals with clothing, food, shelter and other relief through in-depth case management. The Army, one of many non-profits participating, was funded by a $12 million grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and was supplemented by $24 million from the Armys own disaster relief fund.
The Salvation Army continues to accept donations to benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Those wishing to make a gift may call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Hallelujah!
Published Saturday, July 15th, 2006
By Sara Schilling, Herald Valley bureau
Three hundred voices filled the arena at TRAC in Pasco.
Todo a Cristo yo me rindo, Con el fin de serle fiel, the crowd sang in Spanish at the start of Thursday's Christian service, which kicked-off a three-day campaign aimed at buoying believers and reaching out to people who don't usually show up to church.
Some of the men, women and children gathered closed their eyes and bowed their heads to pray, while others waved their hands in the air and swayed to the music played by a band and booming from the stacks of speakers that lined the stage.
By night's end -- after hours of worship and a message from Pennsylvania-based evangelist Moises Alicea -- at least four people had turned their lives over to God, an organizer said.
That kind of transformation is the campaign's goal.
"The idea behind this was to bring people back to God," said Efrain Flores, 28, of Hermiston, who attends the Salvation Army Pasco Temple, which put on the event.
"Everyone is welcome, no matter who you are," he said. "(It's) sort of bringing the community together to God."
The services -- all of which are in Spanish -- started Thursday and wrap up today, with morning and evening sessions focused on young people. More than 20 churches from across the Mid-Columbia helped with event, which is free and packed with chances to connect with spiritual counselors, said organizer Anet Medina.
"You see domestic violence, gangs, drugs, (and ask) 'How can we as Christians help?'" she said. "That's our main goal. There are people who don't have a place to go, even for (someone) to talk to. These pastors are there, these congregations are there for that purpose."
Thursday's service included plenty of music -- from soft melodies like Todo a Cristo, to the rocking band Grupo Llamada Divina, to a Mariachi duo, which drew cheers from the crowd with its tight harmonies and traditional dress. Organizers expect to draw 3,000 people over the event's three days.
And Salvation Army Capt. Andreas Espinoza hopes the campaign becomes an annual event.
"My goal, my emphasis, is going to be to touch the community through the years," he said. "In one year, you cannot do too much, but establish something for the future."
This year, people should come to the campaign ready to be impacted, Flores said. He attended Thursday's service and believes he saw people changed as a result, especially through intercessional prayer.
"If you don't have an open heart and don't want to receive anything, you won't," he said. "Come with an open heart, and I'm sure God will talk to (you)."
Today's sessions are at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call 547-2138.
Tri-City Food Banks Shelves Get Re-Stocked
Published Saturday, November 4th, 2006
By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer
New parents often have a lot to worry about. One thing 20-year-old Nathan Potvin can cross off his list is where his family's next meal will come from.
Potvin, a part-time employee of Round Table Pizza, is thankful the Tri-Cities Food Bank in Richland is helping him supplement his budget through a rough patch until his job becomes full-time.
"For young parents starting out, it's hard to make a living to support your family," he said.
Food banks go through their own rough patches, and in turn must look to the community to get by.
Six area food banks got a boost on Friday from the Pasco Autoplex dealerships. The dealerships raised $11,600 in October as part of an annual food bank fundraising drive.
That money, along with contributions from customers of area Yoke's Fresh Market stores, was converted into about 40,000 pounds of food that were divided up among the Tri-Cities Food Banks, The Salvation Army, Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank, Golden Age Food Share and Harvest Outreach Northwest.
The bounty came just in time for Tri-Cities Food Bank in Richland.
"At the beginning of this week, the shelves on our warehouse side were the emptiest I've seen them in two years," said Bob Zinsli, operations manager.
Thanks to community donations, things were looking better before the truck left from Yoke's in West Richland.
Zinsli was giving away boxes of peaches donated by a local farmer on Friday morning, and the shelves were stocked with breads, cans of chili and macaroni and other items. Bananas were being rationed because the supply was low.
The contribution from the Autoplex dealers means the food bank will be stocked through the end of the year, said Executive Director Art King. That's a worry he can cross off his own list.
The Tri-Cities Food Banks in Richland, Kennewick and Benton City collectively give away about eight tons of food per week, King said. In 2005, he estimated, about 23,000 people made 81,000 trips through with shopping carts and took home healthy foods for their families.
King hopes they also found a helping of dignity.
He explained that the Tri-Cities Food Banks are set up to resemble grocery stores. Food bank clients push a cart around and pick items from boxes on shelves. They can take what they like, and leave behind things they don't want or need.
"We don't just hand people a box," King said.
Potvin doesn't feel embarrassed about asking for help for himself, his wife and their 5-month-old son.
But he does make an effort to pay it forward by helping friends who are in need.
"I know a lot of people who think getting assistance is a hurt to their pride," Potvin said. "I have no problem with getting help as long as people remember to return the favor in some other way."
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