for the Greater Winston-Salem Area A Success Story in
Transcription
for the Greater Winston-Salem Area A Success Story in
Once again, the kindhearted, loving and committed people of the Greater Winston-Salem Area accepted the challenge and made sure that children attending The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs received the needed school supplies to begin another productive school year. If possible, I would love to have the privilege of sending pictures of the big smiles on each child’s face as they received their package of school supplies. As you read this letter, rest assured that children are productively engaging in their school work because of the school supplies you donated! Majors James and Lois Allison A Word from the Area Commander... The school bell has tolled and students, some eager and some not so eager, have returned to class. Some parents are fretting because their babies have gone off to school and gaze longingly at the bus stop awaiting their return. While other parents are doing the happy dance for a bit of “me” time until the bus returns with their little darlings by midafternoon. Yet, other parents are worried how in the world they are going to juggle the budget to fit in the extra cost of purchasing the “required” school supplies so their children can have a productive school experience. Long gone are the days of picking up a few pencils, maybe a Trapper Keeper, a couple spiral notebooks, a pack of paper and pens. Today, the average K-12 parent will spend $100 + per student on school supplies, up 12 percent from last year. Parents who are struggling to keep food on the table, the rent paid, and the lights on do not have the extra funds to afford these supplies. As the children arrive at the Army’s Reynolds Park Road and New Walkertown Road Boys & Girls Clubs to continue their learning experience, they will arrive happy and equipped to excel in their education experience. Our wonderful staff and tutors will invest in their continued learning experience as they participate in Power Hour, Smart Moves, specialized tutoring designed just for them and time spent in the Phoenix Learning Center, a computerized interactive learning experience. “The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of The Salvation Army is my new life...” T Major James Allison Area Commander he stories of many of our former Center of Hope Family Shelter residents remain untold once they move on, having been helped to get back on their feet and become stable. Former resident Anita McRae’s story is interesting and inspiring. Homeless, hungry, addicted and a victim of domestic violence, feeling like she had no place left to turn, Anita began her road back to stability at the Center of Hope. “The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of The Salvation Army,” says Anita, “is my new life that I got from being to Serve • International Corps 2850 New Walkertown Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105 PH (336) 499-1196 FX (336) 499-1198 Kernersville (Korean) Corps 770-D Park Centre Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284 PH (336) 993-8844 • FX (336) 993-8885 Lieutenant Karl Bush and Lieutenant Teresa Bush Become Our Fan on Facebook Progress Blessings! he Kernersville Corps welcomes new Corps Officers Majors Kwang Hee and Mee Sook Chang, graduates of The Salvation Army’s Evangeline Booth College for Officer Training in Atlanta. Their prior appointments include various Command Headquarters including the Maryland and West Virginia Division, the National Capitol and Virginia Division, and the Southern Territorial Headquarters in Atlanta. The Washington Park Corps welcomes Lieutenants Karl and Teresa Bush, active in ministry with The Salvation Army for several years as Youth Pastors at The Salvation Army in Greenville, NC, along with other areas of the Carolinas. Please welcome our new Corps Officers and help them feel at home here in the Triad. The Salvation Army Washington Park Corps 1411 South Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 PH (336) 725-9923 • FX (336) 722-2623 Follow us on @SalArmyWS Celebrating 108 years of serving Forsyth, Davie, Stokes and Yadkin Counties A Success Story in Welcome Our New Officers! T 4 FALL 2015 Newsletter Thanks to your continued support, The Salvation Army will remain a safe haven where learning and a child’s road to excellence continue at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs. Prepared Major Kwang Hee Chang and Major Mee Sook Chang for the Greater Winston-Salem Area Sign up to receive emails at www.SalvationArmyWS.org Progress continued on page 2... Annual Boys and Girls Club Dinner CEO Thompson Stresses Importance of Sweet Memories in Kids Lives F or many of us who grew up in North Carolina and the South, the childhood memory of times we were treated to Krispy Kreme doughnuts is indelibly etched in our minds. Krispy Kreme President and CEO, Tony Thompson, who has long been a Boys and Girls Club Dinner continued on page 2... “The Salvation Army is more than just the Red Kettle.” Tony Thompson, Krispy Kreme President and CEO 1 Emcee and Entertainer Damien Horne of the rising Nashville group, The Farm, performs. Boys and Girls Club Dinner continued ... staunch supporter of The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs, delivered the keynote address at the Boys and Girls Club Dinner August 20th in the Embassy Suites Grand Pavilion in downtown Winston-Salem. His message was one of the importance of creating fond memories through moments that stick with us throughout our lives – like the kind evoked from the promising sight of a Krispy Kreme Doughnut “Hot Now” sign or life lessons learned at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs create special moments for children through play, learning and worship. Thompson urged the audience to remember that “The Salvation Army is more than just the Red Kettle.” And, The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs need the community’s support to continue creating positive opportunities and memories for our local kids. The evening was made extra special thanks to the talents of Emcee and Entertainer Damien Horne of the rising Nashville group, The Farm. Horne, a Hickory native, survived a tumultuous childhood that saw two of his brothers die on the streets and two others serve time in prison. Horne performed and spoke, crediting his success to the years he spent in The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. As a member, later an employee and now as a Worship Leader, Horne learned the lessons of his special moments at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club and now shares his memories at the Clubs and with audiences as he performs. Horne is truly a talent who is giving back. W The Counties Count! e can get caught up in focusing on Winston-Salem and Forsyth County alone when we consider the great work being done by our local Army. It IS The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem, but vital services are also provided in Yadkin, Davie and Stokes Counties. In Yadkin County, Volunteers Change Table centerpieces at the Dinner featured Club members enjoying Krispy Kreme treats. • • Progress continued ... 2 a minor in Human Resources. I’m gaining the skills to better myself so I’ll be able to help others.” Anita is now living on her own, attending class and volunteering at the Food Pantry at The Salvation Army Emergency Assistance office. She’s on the road back from a time spent in the depths of despair. “I’ve been so down that I could not even imagine getting back up. I’ve been addicted, I had been stabbed by an ex-boyfriend. I couldn’t see my life getting any better. The Salvation Army put a lot of effort into me. You know... they loved me until I learned how to love myself again.” When asked where she sees herself in five years, Anita laughs and says, “Working with The Salvation Army, trying to help others.” Anita McRae is truly a success story in progress. • despair into Joy! A • To be a blessing by volunteering this Christmas, please call (336) 245-2083 • • Christmas Assistance Registration October 12-16, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm & 17, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Volunteers 18 years and older interview families who apply for assistance. Spanish speaking volunteers are especially helpful. Christmas Data Entry October 13-16, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, 17, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, & 19 - 30, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Monday - Friday only Enter Christmas applications into the database. Red Kettle Bell Ringers November 6 – December 24, 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Wonderful volunteer opportunity for businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals. Adopt A Child for Christmas November 6 – December 7 This is a great opportunity for businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals. Adopt a child and/or children and give them a Christmas to remember. Assistance was distributed to our neighbors in their seasons of need. So when you choose to make a donation to The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem, remember, not just Forsyth, but Yadkin, Davie and Stokes counties also count! • “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” s we head into the fall, we look ahead to the holidays and that wonderful season — volunteer season! Odds are, when you think of Salvation Army volunteers, you picture the many Bell Ringers at our Red Kettle locations. And yes, we always need your help to fill those Kettles, so consider getting your business or group together for Battle of the Bells Week, November 30 - December 5; Youth Day at the Kettle on Saturday, December 12; or Church Day at the Kettle, Saturday, December 19 and you can help change a life. This is the time of year our Volunteer and Resource Coordinator, Abigail Linville, puts together her small army of caring, compassionate helpers to assist The Salvation Army in the many Christmas programs and services we provide to the Greater Winston-Salem Area. Dr. Ken Carlson with COR365 President, Andy Brown, winner of the the Inaugural Dr. Ken Carlson Award of Excellence. introduced to The Salvation Army. I’d probably be dead right now if it wasn’t for The Salvation Army.” Upon entering the Center of Hope, Anita was provided help to evaluate what she wanted to do with her life, given the chance to set goals and encouraged to take the initiative to push forward. Now, she says, “I’m at Forsyth Tech working on a degree in Computer Information Technology with from October 2013 – July 2015, The Salvation Army provided assistance to over 150 families and individuals to help pay their utility bills; 25 families and individuals received needed assistance to make rent and mortgage payments, help that kept them from becoming homeless. And, over $170,000 of Christmas • • • Helen Keller “No truer words have been spoken, than these by Helen Keller (1880-1968),’Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,’” Linville says about the volunteer effort. “Together we, but for a brief moment, can change a landscape overwhelmed with struggles and heartache into a beautiful scene of joy.” Volunteers do this! They actually change the lives of families we serve and are absolutely invaluable to the work of The Salvation Army. Their efforts go beyond the Christmas season, producing fruit that lasts 365 days a year. Without them, the Army could not effectively serve the community. Want to help? Check out the opportunities and Christmas Season Volunteer Schedule below to find the dates and events that best fit you, and please... Volunteer! Angel Tree Attendant at Hanes Mall November 6 – December 7, shifts available Volunteers are needed to assist with the adoption and return of the sponsored gifts at the Angel Tree located in Hanes Mall. Give a Kid A Coat Sorting October 20 – 30 & November 2 – 19, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, weekdays only Distribution November 20 – 21, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm Through this partnership with FOX8, 107.5 WKZL Rock 92 and A Cleaner World, The Salvation Army collects and redistributes winter coats to children and adults. Volunteers are needed to sort coats and help with the distribution. Christmas Toy Sorting, Packing & Distribution November 30 – December 22, shifts available Help fill bags with toys for our annual toy distribution. Volunteers are also needed to help give out the toys and food to families receiving assistance. Great activity for groups! 3