Ignore No More

Get a $10 Gift Certificate to Phillips-Van Heusen for Your Salvation Army Donations

2010-05-21T09:57:00.003-05:00

There's just a few days left to take advantage of this deal!

There’s an old saying that goes, “A good deed is its own reward.” But who’s to say that you shouldn’t get some extra encouragement for an act of goodwill? Phillips-Van Heusen, one of the world’s largest apparel companies, is partnering with the Salvation Army to recognize your altruistic acts.

For in-kind donations you contribute between April 1 and May 31 to select Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores, you will be thanked with a $10 gift certificate to any Phillips-Van Heusen, IZOD, or Bass retail stores. Participating Salvation Army stores will provide you with a dated receipt for your generous donations and a coupon to redeem for your next shopping trip.

*** To find a participating Salvation Army store near you, check our list here: Participating Salvation Army – PVH Locations ***

The goal of the campaign is to help replenish stock at Salvation Army Thrift and Family Stores, some of which have seen dwindling donations during the economic downturn. Proceeds from sales at these stores directly support The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) where more than 300,000 men and women receive treatment for drug and alcohol addictions each year.

The Salvation Army operates a network of more than 1,300 thrift and family stores nationwide. These stores accept gently used donations of furniture, clothing, household appliances, automobiles and other items which are then re-sold to the general public. All gifts are tax-deductible and go to support Salvation Army programs and services in the local community. For more information or to find your local store, please click here.

No answer but silence

2010-03-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job.” Job was a good man, a righteous man who, because of cosmic wager between God and the Satan, lost his wealth, his family and even his health. And yet through it all he insisted that God was good.

The story of Job is a Theodicy. It is an attempt to explain the problem of evil and suffering. How do we reconcile the presence of evil and pain and suffering in the world with our belief in good and loving God? If God is good why does he allow people to hurt and to grieve and to suffer? If God is powerful why does he not stop natural disasters?

These are not just esoteric philosophical, theological, questions for scholars and academics. Everyone everywhere has asked this most difficult of questions: Why? It’s part of who we are as human beings. We hurt and we want to know why. We weep and we want to know that God cares. Cultures around the world and all through history have asked these questions. And after thousands of years of asking the question and debating the issue, what answer do I have? What wisdom, what insight do I have into the problem of pain?

I don’t know.

Now, to be sure, the flooding here along the Red River and further west in Jamestown haven’t been as catastrophic as in past years. There hasn’t been the destruction and devastation that we’ve seen in other natural disasters or in human caused destruction. But being here these days causes me to probe these theodicean questions. Why?

The Salvation Army responds to floods and hurricanes and earthquakes, and burning buildings. Our Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) teams offer cold water and hot coffee and the comfort of food to those in crisis situations. But even more than that, we offer the comforting presence of one who cares. Spiritual and emotional care is just as important as that cup of coffee.

And it has always bothered me that I can’t answer these questions. I do not know why God allows floods or hurricanes or earthquakes. I do not know why.

Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checking out.
I wanna’ get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love, it won't be long.
- Ultraviolet (Light My Way) – U2

As a cadet on my summer assignment I was called to respond to a drowning. A group of teenage boys had been swimming in the river. One of them was pulled under by the current and swept away. The rescue workers and dive teams went to work, and the Salvation Army EDS team was there to offer sandwiches and beverages to them. After making sure that the food and drinks were laid out and that the EDS team was set up to do what they needed to do, I sat down in a chair next to the family of the missing boy. I sat there with them for three days until their son was found. And I said nothing.

What could I have said to them? I was 21. I had no answers. And now more than a decade later, I still have no answer to that kind of question, no satisfying answer anyway.

I could give those stupid and clichéd answers: “well God must have wanted him in heaven…” or “It was just his time.” But I don’t believe those answers. And I know that when I suffered a loss in my own life that kind of answer only made me angry.

I have no answer but silence.

A friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief or bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing … not healing … not curing …that is a friend who cares. - Henri Nouwen

When you go through deep waters....

2010-03-24T16:14:00.001-05:00

When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. Isaiah 43: 2 (New Living Translation)

It’s nearly over. The Red River has crested and the waters are slowly receding. Fargo and Moorhead and the other communities along its banks can breathe a sigh of relief. In Jamestown, North Dakota the US Army Corps of Engineers has suspended building of the levee system, noting lower than predicted run off. If the dikes and sandbags hold and barring a major snow or rainstorm in the area, the water levels should continue to go down.

With a grin, Steve Carbno, The Salvation Army’s Deputy Incident Commander, said that he feels a little cheated. “We planned to a level that we never go to.” But that’s a good thing. “We learned a lot of lessons in last years flooding that we were able to put into practice this year. Our response to this year’s flooding was very efficient.”

It was a great effort from all of our volunteers, employees and the Salvation Army officers who came into the area from across the Northern Division. Captain Bill Mealy, Corps Officer of the Salvation Army in Fargo credited them for their hard work. “I’m not sure how I would have made it through this without each of you.”

In addition to the flood Captain Mealy and his wife, Captain Ann Mealy have been dealing with some personal difficulties. Captain Bill is recovering from a surgical procedure on his leg and in the midst of the flood efforts their daughter was taken to the hospital for an emergency operation. “This would have been too much for me, alone,” said Captain Mealy.

As the waters continue to dissipate and things begin returning to normal The Salvation Army will continue to serve the physical and spiritual needs of the people of these areas, ministering to them and serving them in the name of God.

Somewhere, God is Lauging

2010-03-23T10:26:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we only get things done by the grace and good humor of God. I know that God must be laughing at us this morning; I can almost hear the cosmic belly rolls of divine guffaws reverberating in the air. It’s definitely a Monday.

The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) response is well organized and able to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters and emergencies of all kinds. We can get volunteers and vital supplies to afflicted areas with a moments notice, but sometimes we demonstrate our human fallibility.

This morning was one of those times.

It began as the canteen crews were loading their supplies – the sandwiches, snacks, and beverages that are served to the flood response teams around the city. One of the canteens was locked and the key hadn’t been put in its proper place. A radio call to the previous evening’s driver went unanswered. A phone call to his cell phone was similarly unanswered. A runner was dispatched to his hotel room to find him and to find the missing canteen key.

Meanwhile a truck with a load of bottled water was on its way to the command center and the canteen was still parked and locked in front of the loading area, blocking the door through which 14 pallets of water would need to be moved.

I wish that I had been ready with my camera to photograph the EDS ingenuity at work, but I missed it. Others among the team here are quite relieved that I wasn’t quick on the draw. They don’t want any evidence of this morning’s misadventure to leak out.

The back end of the obstructing canteen was lifted with a forklift and then rolled – ever so carefully- forward until it was out of the way.

Last night’s driver (who’d been on the late late shift) answered the door with bleary eyes and rumpled hair to hand over the missing key.

And everything is back to, well, whatever passes for normal during these kinds of events. The canteen crews are out delivering food and beverages. The truckload of water was unloaded into the warehouse. And somewhere in the heavens, God is having a great chuckle at our expense.

Red River Flood 2010 - Sorrows Not in Single Spies....

2010-03-22T10:28:00.004-05:00

Much attention in recent days and weeks has been placed on the crisis caused by rising waters in the Red River and its tributaries. Emergency crews have been responding to issues along the river, volunteers have filled over million sandbags, and work crews have built up the dikes. But just because the flood waters have captured our attention doesn’t mean that nothing else is going on. As King Claudius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet said, “When sorrows come, they come not single spies But in battalions…”

In addition to dealing with the emergency presented by the flood waters, the Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) crew of the Salvation Army in Fargo/Moorhead has responded to 8 fires in the past 12 days.

The Salvation Army’s EDS crew is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year, available to respond to emergency calls from Fire and Police departments as well as S.W.A.T. events, Valley Water rescue, Hazmat and Civil Air Patrol calls. Last year they responded to 148 events and in 2008 they responded to 184 events.

Steve Carbno, The Salvation Army’s Business Administrator is also the Disaster Services Coordinator and has served in that role for 11 years. His 20 person crew has participated in numerous training and certification courses and they are well prepared to respond to various types of emergencies.

Mooreton Search and Rescue and Service

2010-03-22T10:20:00.001-05:00

The uniformed members of the various response agencies must have nearly outnumbered the population of the little town of Mooreton, North Dakota. Members of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, County Sherriff, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, Border Patrol, Customs Agents, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Valley Water Rescue Crew, and various Fire Departments from the area all responded to the report of a missing person.

A young woman from this little community where everyone knows everyone and everyone is connected to everyone, went missing last night. She'd called to her family to say that she would be home in ten minutes, but she never arrived. Her car was found this afternoon - several miles away, off the road, 10 feet under the cold waters of a flooded field.

An incident command center was set up in the Mooreton community hall (which still smelled faintly of last night's community fish fry...) The room was filled with the earth toned green, and blue, and brown uniforms of the various agencies. The colors of the room were brightened by the red and white jackets and vests of The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) team.

And in the same way, the somber faces of the uniformed men and women were brightened by the appearance of sandwiches, bottles of water, and urns of hot coffee. "You just don't know how good it is to see you guys here," said one member of the U.S. Border Patrol who hails from Whitefish, Montana. "I don't know if anyone else has told you this, but is so good for us to have you here."

Help Us to Help Each Other

2010-03-22T10:09:00.002-05:00

Help us to help each other, Lord,

each other’s cross to bear;

Let each his friendly aid afford,

and feel his brother’s care.

In our country we value a rugged individualism and we emphasize things like independence, self-reliance and personal hard work. But that isn’t always enough. Natural disasters prove bigger than the effort of any single individual.

But in the Fargo / Moorhead area the community understands the importance of a shared and collaborative effort. Volunteers from every section of the community have come together to protect the city from the rising flood waters of the Red River and to serve the needs of the community.

Since March 1, The Salvation Army has recorded over 1,820 hours of service in response to the flood – from its officers, employees, and numerous volunteers. They have served over 12,000 meals, 18,000 beverages and 16, 500 snacks to sandbag crews, city employees, fire-fighters, law-enforcement officers and National Guard crews.

This massive effort of this Army is motivated by a love for God and a love for humanity, serving sandwiches and a cup of cold water or hot coffee in Jesus’ name. “Practical concern for the men and women of Fargo and Moorhead and the surrounding communities is the mission and sacrament of The Salvation Army” said Captain Bill Mealy, commanding officer of the Fargo Salvation Army. “Serving others is an expression of our worship of God and our love for our brothers and sisters.”

Help us to build each other up,

our little stock improve;

increase our faith, confirm our hope,

and perfect us in love.

Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788)

Flood Volunteers Raise Money for The Salvation Army

2010-03-22T09:56:00.003-05:00

In his parable (Matthew 7: 15 – 29), Jesus warned about the dangers of building a house upon a foundation of sand. When the muddy flood waters rise up over the banks of the river, a house built on a foundation shifting sand will collapse in heap. But in Fargo, ND sand is being put to use to save people’s homes against the rising flood.

Since the beginning, one million, one thousand and five hundred sandbags have been filled and readied to protect the city against the rising waters of the Red River.

Mayor Dennis R. Walaker initiated a program – Denny’s Bucks for Bags – to encourage volunteers to help prepare the necessary sandbags. The city offered to contribute $75.00 to organizations that provided 100 hours of sandbag-filling effort.

Volunteers from The Salvation Army served more than 700 hours, coming in second among participating groups. “This is an astounding contribution from the community,” said Steve Carbno, Deputy Incident Commander for the Salvation Army in Fargo. “The amount of support we’ve seen from the people of Fargo and Cass County is an indication of just how generous the people here really are.

Carbno received on behalf of The Salvation Army a check from the city for six hundred and twenty five dollars for the work of these generous volunteers.

13-Year-Old Girl Crochets Roses for Haiti Relief

2010-02-23T15:07:00.001-06:00

After the earthquake in Haiti, 13-year-old Victoria Kemmits wanted to help survivors in any way she could. But what, if anything, could a little girl from Waseca, Minn. possibly do?

She thought of the perfect answer: Crochet roses and sell them at The Salvation Army thrift store in nearby Owatonna.

“I wanted to help raise money for Haiti and use my fiber-craft talents at the same time, so crocheting roses seemed perfect,” Kemmits said.

She’s been making two kinds of roses: “Regular roses, with just a blossom, stem and leaf; and pen covers, where the pen makes up the stem,” she said.

The roses are as beautiful as they are a bargain, with regular roses selling for $1 and pen covers selling for $3.

“Victoria is a young lady on a mission to serve and make a difference,” said Sara Pirkl, Owatonna thrift store manager. “I am very impressed with her.”

All proceeds from the sale of the roses fund The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in Haiti. To date, The Salvation Army has provided nearly 3 million meals, 500,000 gallons of water, 2,900 tents and much more.

When We Hear the Word "Disaster"

2010-02-19T10:48:00.004-06:00

The earthquake in Haiti has left me speechless, but today a note came in from a donor that offered encouragement and a reminder that countless people depend on and trust in The Salvation Army. That trust is invaluable, and we do everything we can to live up to it by serving wherever needed. What a privilege we have to serve on the behalf of so many. Here is the note that encouraged me today:

"When we hear the word 'disaster,' we always know the Salvation Army will be there. We appreciate everything you do and pray for everyone involved in this wonderful organization and of course, we pray for the people of Haiti."

First hand account of Haiti's earthquake and devastating aftermath

2010-01-13T10:25:00.002-06:00

Letter from Bob Poff, Divisional Director of Disaster Services in Haiti

Words cannot begin to describe the devastation that has taken place in Port au Prince, Haiti. I am the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, and I am from the United States. My wife and I have been in Port au Prince since April, and have fallen deeply in love with the country and it's people.

When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings "pancaking" down, like I have never witnessed before. Traffic, of course, came to a stand-still, while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying, carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them. We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention. All of them were older, scared, bleeding, and terrified. It took about 2 hours to go less than 1 mile. Traffic was horrible, devastation was everywhere, and suffering humanity was front and center.

When we could drive no further, we left the truck parked on the side of the street, and walked the remaining 2 miles to get back to the Army compound. What I found was very sad! All of the security walls were down. The Children's Home itself seems pretty intact, but our quarters, which is attached, are destroyed. Unliveable. The walls and ceiling are still standing - but so badly compromised that I wouldn't even think of trying to stay there. All of the children, and hundreds of neighbors, are sleeping in our playground area tonight. Occasionally, there is another tremor - another reminder that we are not yet finished with this calamity. And when it comes, all of the people cry out and the children are terrified.

As I am sitting outside now, with most people trying to get a little sleep, I can hear the moans and crys of the neighbors. One of our staff went to a home in the neighborhood, to try to be of assistance to the woman who lived there. But she was too late.

The scene will be repeated over and over again. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future.

God bless Haiti.

A note of thanks

2010-01-11T10:47:00.004-06:00

I want to THANK YOU (Salvation Army) for all the help you gave me and others last February when two fires destroyed the Park Manor Apartments in Montgomery. The first fire dislocated me, and in the second fire my apartment suffered so much water damage that it was not safe for me to go in and retrieve my belongings.

In addition to the fire, I was laid off from my job of 12 years and I also found out I needed surgery. I had to have the surgery performed before the month was over because I still had insurance. It all happened at once and was very trying for me at that time. But with your help and the Red Cross, I was greatly assisted and helped in many ways.

I have shopped at Salvation Army thrift stores before, but little did I realize that one day I would need or receive assistance from The Salvation Army.

Though I still do not have a job, I was able to purchase a home and move in just recently. This is the fourth move for me in less than a year. But this was a good move for me and my dog Muffy. I really appreciate the help that you gave me and others at Park Manor this year. Though we now are all scattered and at different living locations, it helped us so much. Bless you. Mike P.

How would you like your money TRIPLED?

2009-12-22T13:53:00.003-06:00

Of all the days you can give to the Twin Cities Salvation Army, the two most important are this Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23.

For two days only, all donations made to the Twin Cites Salvation Army will be triple matched.

This unprecedented match has been made possible by three anonymous donors who pooled together $1.25 million in matching funds. It is the largest matching gift in Twin Cities Salvation Army history.

In addition to the $1.25 million challenge, local sponsors will quadruple-match donations made Dec. 22-23 at four kettle sites across the Twin Cities metro area. Check out a list of these kettle sites.

To triple your donation, do any of the following this Tuesday or Wednesday:
●Donate online.
●Mail a check postmarked Dec. 22-23, 2009 to:
The Salvation Army
2445 Prior Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
In the memo write “Twin Cities Match.”
●Donate at any of 400 metro area kettle sites.
●Call 800-SAL-ARMY. Designate your credit card gift "Twin Cities Match.”
●Donate stock or IRA funds. Call 651-746-3505.
●Watch Fox 9 News broadcasts for our phone-a-thon at 5, 9 and 10 p.m.

“The success of our Christmas Campaign rests squarely on the amount of public donations we receive these two days,” Leedom said. “Please give what you can.”

Help-Portrait Day 2009

2009-12-18T21:48:00.001-06:00

For the last month or so, I had been noticing a theme in the Tweets, Facebook updates, e-mails, and blogs from some friends in the Minneapolis photography scene, all centered on a movement called “Help Portrait.” Admittedly, I ignored most of it, as I have no photography skills myself.

But then “Help Portrait Day” came and went, and I began to see the pictures from it—“Wait a minute,” I thought, “are those pictures taken at Harbor Light?” Sure enough, the Minneapolis Help Portrait Community, led by photographer Jessica Barker, had chosen The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter as the photo shoot location.

I was immediately interested. What is Help Portrait? I googled it and quickly discovered that the goal of this worldwide movement is simple: It’s “a shift in thinking…a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those less fortunate.” Instructions? 1. Find someone in need. 2. Take their portrait. 3. Print their portrait. 4. Deliver their portrait.

What a unique way to be a blessing to someone in need. This was a real opportunity for people at Harbor Light to re-establish that sense of worth that can so often be lost when it feels like you’ve hit rock-bottom. Photographer Melissa Oholendt said of the experience, “As I spent time getting to know some of the people at Harbor Light, the common theme in the conversations wasn’t hardship or sadness—it was hope.” Offering hope and healing is what The Salvation Army has been striving to do since 1865, and we’re so thankful to the Minneapolis Help Portrait Community for partnering with us in this extraordinary way.

Check out the Help Portrait site to learn more about this worldwide movement, and to see pictures and read stories from Help Portrait Day.

It’s that time of year again?!

2009-12-15T11:17:00.003-06:00

‘Tis the Season! Salvation Army Toy Shop starts Dec. 17, at which time thousands of Twin Cities families will begin receiving toys and grocery gift cards at National Guard Armories in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Last year I participated in my first Toy Shop. There was a bad snowstorm on my first day, which made me a little grumpy. But when I walked into the Minneapolis Armory for my shift, my attitude quickly changed because there was electricity in the air. Everyone was super cheery and happy to be helping.

Parents were shopping for their children with volunteers who were dressed up as elves or Santa. There were Salvation Army officers walking around greeting families and taking prayer requests. I felt proud to be an employee of an organization that truly does “The Most Good.” I still cannot find words to explain the feeling of giving toys to so many families.

This year the need has increased to 14,400 families needing toys for their children for Christmas. I am excited to be a part of an organization that helps make Christmas better for those in need. A big thank you to all of the companies and individuals who have donated their time and energy to this effort, it is very much appreciated!

Merry Christmas,
Krystle

Wouldn't it be great to increase your money today?

2009-11-17T09:24:00.005-06:00

GiveMN.org is making that possible with a giving stimulus plan called "Give to the Max Day," created to increase giving to non-profits across Minnesota. Donations made to the Twin Cities Salvation Army by giving online here will be elegible for a portion of $500,000 in matching funds for a 24 hour period, ending November 18th at 8 a.m.

What an incredible opportunity to increase the amount of support you can give to The Salvation Army, by taking part in this one-day plan.

Check out this press release for the details of how this has been made possible, and give to The Salvation Army during Give to the Max Day by making a credit card gift here.

Coats for Kids 2009: The delightful and the frustrating

2009-11-03T16:47:00.005-06:00

On Thursday The Salvation Army held its annual Coats for Kids distribution at 10 locations across the Twin Cities, where more than 8,300 coats were distributed. I work at a Salvation Army office in Minneapolis, but on the distribution day I was assigned to a location in Wright County, where we gave 376 coats to 121 families.

Being in Wright County was a different experience for me. It is way out in the country. Many of the people at this coat distribution had come from quite a distance, whereas in the city, people don’t have to commute as far. All the families we served were very appreciative of the coats we gave them. The Buffalo Rotary Club was volunteering at our coat drive, and they donated 170 pairs of snow pants to our distribution site. Parents were super excited when they saw they could get snow pants. They were a very hot commodity at our distribution site – which makes sense. Who wants to play in the snow and get super cold? Not me!

One family I registered had 10 children. I cannot imagine trying to feed and clothe 10 children. It must cost a fortune. She was very happy that she was able to get coats, hats and mittens for all of her children. Another mom came in with her daughter to get a coat and told us a bit of her story. Her daughter had just received heart surgery, and the mom wasn’t working because she had stayed in the hospital with her daughter. Because of this, her budget was tight and she needed help from The Salvation Army. She cried when she was leaving because she was so relieved that she had a coat for her daughter.

Unfortunately, some metro area offices had to turn away families because of a shortage of donated coats. This year we had more usable coats donated than ever before, yet we have an opportunity to do even better. My hope for next year is that we have more donations of used coats so that this doesn’t happen again. Children should never go without the basic necessities of clothing, food and shelter.

Saying ‘yes’ to life saves a life

2009-10-29T09:50:00.001-05:00

Yesterday afternoon I had a choice to make—stay home after spending three days in Rochester during a leadership conference with my fellow Salvation Army officers, or go back to my workplace at the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul and teach Cub Scouts classes in the evening.

I chose to say “yes” to life, just as we had been challenged to do at the conference by retired General John Larsson. To say “yes” to life is to choose not to miss out on the sacred tasks God has in store for us.

After teaching my first pack of Cub Scouts, I went to the dining hall for Family Supper Club. My wife stopped me and said, “There’s a young man in the foyer who said he was just released from a mental institution. I don’t know if he should be around the children. You should go talk to him.” I did as I was told.

The 21-year-old man’s name was Mitch. His first words were, “I think I’ve gone crazy.” I asked, “Why do you think that?” He said, “I just drove here from Duluth in about 90 minutes. I was going 120 mph all the way looking for an underpass to run into to end my life. But I didn’t have the guts to do it. Then my car ran out of gas on 7th Street and I walked 12 blocks to get here.” I asked him, “What made you come to The Salvation Army?” He said, “I don’t know. I just did.”

Then Mitch began to tell his story. He had not left a mental institution, but thought he needed to go to one. He has suffered from severe depression since age 12. Six weeks ago his doctors had prescribed him a new medication. For the past two weeks he was having suicidal thoughts and felt the time had finally come to end his life.

For the next 30 minutes or so, I talked to him about life and the Lord. His response was, “If there even is a God.” Then he asked, “Do you really believe there is a God?” I said, “Not only do I believe there is a God, but I believe that He sent you here. I believe God planned for you to run out of gas down the street and I believe that He directed you to The Salvation Army. Mitch, God does not want you to die. He wants you to live.”

I told him that we needed to call his parents, otherwise I would have to call the police (for he was also considering jumping off a building). I called his mother. She said that he had left Duluth early in the day with their car and had no idea what had happened to him. When I told her the story, she began to sob. I offered to stay with Mitch until they arrived from Duluth, but his father was so concerned that he might run again that he asked me to call the police. So I did.

Before he got into the squad car with the police officer, I asked him for his car keys so that I could help his parents find their car. His parents arrived three hours later, got their car and left for Regions Hospital.

Our front desk receptionist later told me that Mitch had walked into the corps hours earlier and was hanging around waiting for something.

I am so proud that the doors of The Salvation Army were open for Mitch to come in. I am so proud that our staff allowed him to hang around the building. And I am so humbled that the Spirit of God led me to say “yes” to life so that He could save a life.

Self worth…priceless

2009-10-16T10:57:00.002-05:00

Driving down interstate I-94 each day during rush hour traffic can be very frustrating. I try to take my mind off of the traffic by checking out the billboards that line the interstate. They change the billboards often, and it doesn’t take me long to notice that there are new ads. A few weeks ago I came across a billboard that said “Recession 101: Self worth beats net worth”.

I stared at the billboard for several seconds and read the sentence over again. Self worth beats net worth. Of course it does! It is a perfect reminder to those who have taken pay cuts or changed jobs due to the economy. Right now, many people are taking the first job they are offered, just so they can keep a roof over their head and food on the table. There are people with a Master’s degree who are applying for Bachelor’s level jobs. There are even people who are switching professions and taking major pay cuts.

The Salvation Army territorial office in Chicago graciously distributed funds to the Salvation Army units in Minnesota and North Dakota to use to help people who had been laid off from their jobs due to the downturn of the economy. Our office got a large chunk of funding. With this program, we are able to assist individuals with rent, pay a utility bill, or give several bus cards for job search or interviews. We even have Target giftcards to issue if clients need basics, such as personal hygiene or toilet paper.

One person that I helped was laid off of his job after 12 years. He relocated to Minneapolis, and was staying at an overnight shelter. He heard about the program through an acquaintance staying at the same shelter, and visited our office. He explained that another organization was helping him with his damage deposit, and he needed help with the first month’s rent because he was short due to the relocating fees. We were able to assist him with the first month’s rent, so now he is no longer homeless. We have helped a handful of people escape eviction with this funding when many other agencies will not help them due to income guidelines.

We must remind each other that your job is not who you are. It is a part of your life, but there are so many more important parts of your life that make you who you are. Family heritage, values, traditions, memories and other parts are more important than how much money you make at your job. Someone who is an executive at a large company and makes hundreds of thousands of dollars and has no support system can be one of the most miserable people on earth, while an auto mechanic who has good relationships with all of his family members and uses them as a support system can be the happiest man on earth.

Nearly escaping death...optimism at it’s finest

2009-09-28T14:19:00.001-05:00

One of my roles as a social worker at the Salvation Army is to help disabled individuals apply for SSI benefits through the Social Security Administration. I have worked with many individuals in the past year, but there is one client that stands out as one of my greatest successes. For this blog, we will call him Joe*. Joe used to be a very hard working person before his accident in 1983. He was walking down a street and was a victim of a bus accident. One tire on the bus exploded, and as a result, the hubcap flew off toward Joe’s head. He moved his head slightly and it barely missed him. The incident gave him four broken limbs to deal with and a life long memory of almost being decapitated. Joe recovered from the accident but still stuffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In 2006 Joe was crossing a street in downtown Minneapolis, and a delivery truck drove through a red light and hit him. He suffered fractures to both of his arms and both of his legs. In addition to this, Joe was homeless for a short period of time staying at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light shelter. He then got into supportive housing and has been housed for almost 2 years successfully paying his rent on time each month.

We first applied for SSI benefits in August 2008. In December 2008, he was denied for two old warrants that he hadn’t known about. He turned himself into the jail and appeared in court and both were resolved. After visiting his parents in Arizona for several weeks, he came back to Minnesota and was ready for round two with Social Security. The second time we applied was in April 2009. The interview went fairly quickly since Joe had just applied several months prior. After the long wait, Joe was finally approved for SSI benefits in July 2009. He is still living in his apartment in downtown Minneapolis and loves to ride his bike and visit the local YMCA. He has been helping his daughter with school bills now that he has a little more money to live off of. He may have to have a complete knee replacement in the coming months, but he is optimistic about the outcome.

I joke with his case manager that Joe is the perfect picture of “Murphy’s Law” (anything that can go wrong will go wrong). Despite this, Joe still has a very optimistic outlook on life and attempts to live positively each day. Though his surgeries have now grown to double digits (I believe it’s up to around 13?) and he is on a handful of medications, he has made a success out of his life.

*This name has been chosen to protect anonymity. This is not the client’s real name.

the little things do count

2009-09-04T10:10:00.002-05:00

Enjoy another great post from Krystle, one of our social workers...

I have learned that one of the most important aspects of a successful relationship with a client is building rapport. Finding commonalities has been a lot easier than I thought it would be with the clients I serve. I am very different from the majority of my clients; I am a different race, age, gender and socioeconomic status than the bulk of my clients. The majority of clients we serve are African American (Approximately 60%), followed by Caucasian (29%). Around two-thirds of our clients are male, and 77% of our clientele fall between the ages of 23 and 54. I am in my early twenties, so many of my clients are almost double my age. I have book smarts, they have street smarts.

Despite our differences, I can usually find at least one similarity with my clients. I have been working with one person on and off since I’ve started at The Salvation Army in May 2008. He works at the Metrodome and is a baseball fan, just like me. I joke around with him quite often about switching jobs with me because he has friendships with some of the baseball players, and I always tell him to say hello to Denard Span for me. Now that the baseball season is winding down, he has intensified his job search, because his position ends when the Twins’ season does.

I’ve started emailing him job leads weekly and meeting with him more often to email resumes to potential employers. I met with him yesterday and gave him several job leads. He came into my office today and said that as soon as he left my office, he received a call from a company that was hiring, and they set up a time to meet with him to fill out the paperwork required to hire him! He said that I was a big help to him, and he is excited to find out what type of work he will be doing.

It feels good to work hard with a client to find them a job that they will like instead of something that they take because they are desperate. In this case, I feel that my rapport with the client helped him to become more comfortable with me and tell me about his past work history, and life experience. He did mention that it took him quite a while to ask for help with job search and other services such as food or clothing.

Clients also teach us many things. I have learned a lot about the warehouse industry and how items are created. The client that this blog is about is from New York, and I’m planning a trip to New York City in the fall. I asked him about sight-seeing tips, and he gave me some great tips (go to Niagara Falls!). There are always commonalities among each person, whether it is the love of baseball or special memories, nearly everyone is able to connect on some level. This is the part of my job that I like best…learning who I serve, and where they come from.

An introduction...

2009-08-10T11:52:00.003-05:00

Occasionally we'll be sharing thoughts from Krystle, a Salvation Army social worker. Hope you enjoy her perspective.

My name is Krystle Englund, and I am a licensed social worker working for the Salvation Army Social Services in downtown Minneapolis. The office that I work in serves a very unique population – homeless singles adults. We serve people who are staying in downtown in housing, or in overnight shelters. One of our most requested needs is hygiene items, and unfortunately, it is one of the items that we have a hard time keeping on our shelves. I have attempted to contact hotels, dental offices, and even my college trying to collect hygiene items for our clients. After all of the hard work that it takes to collect donated hygiene items, it feels great to have a client get excited over a nice stick of men’s Speedstick, or Dove soap, or even conditioner for some of our women clients.

I think about how much I have taken for granted in my life when a client expresses thanks for the little things. Everyday I use my head and shoulders shampoo in the shower, and a majority of our clients aren’t able to bathe daily, or wash their clothing weekly, while I have access to a shower, washing machine, stove, and refrigerator without trouble.

Our office is also unique because we are the only food shelf in our area to serve homeless individuals. Most other food shelves require mail in order to use the food shelf, and most of the homeless are not able to have mail delivered to the shelter, instead it is delivered to general delivery at the postal office. I try to stock our food shelf with easy “grab and go” type items, and things that clients do not have to prepare. Most of our items are microwaveable, and there is a microwave at the Harbor Light, where most of our clients stay. The clients seem to get excited over little things, such as having “real” milk (a half gallon of milk), instead of powdered milk or condensed milk, or they enjoy it when we throw a few granola bars in their bag as a snack. Some of the clients we serve are on medications, and they need to take their medications with food, but don’t have anything late at night before bedtime, so a granola bar or a package of ramen noodles does the job for them. As I write this, I have designated a whole drawer for “snacks” which I really don’t appreciate.

I guess the main point of this blog is for everyone to not take material things for granted. Many of us are blessed with friends and families to help us out when we are in a pinch, but many of my clients do not have those support systems in place. Just remember that the little things really do count.

Anonymous Note from a Salvation Army Supporter:

2009-08-07T15:48:00.003-05:00

"I want you to know that during World War II, I served in the US Navy, both stateside and overseas, and whenever I saw the Salvation Army sign, I made a beeline for it. Thank you for helping so many of us get through some very tough times by providing hot coffee, doughnuts, food, and most importantly, support and care."

Leaders Launching Learners

2009-07-08T09:59:00.003-05:00

Last August, I rose early on a Saturday morning and drove to a nearby Target before it opened. It was a few minutes past 7:30am when I hastily pulled into the parking lot. I looked toward the store's entrance and saw a sea of Salvation Army volunteers in light blue T-shirts, eagerly awaiting the arrival of hundreds of back-to-school shoppers.

This unique sight was happening all throughout the Twin Cities as 850 kids participated in the first ever "Leaders Launching Learners" back-to-school shopping event. This giant shopping spree enabled kids from families in need to shop for back-to-school supplies and clothing, as each child spent $100 with guidance from a volunteer chaperone.

As I pulled on my own light blue T-shirt and prepared for the arrival of the kids, I worried that I'd spend my morning convincing children not to spend the money on candy and other non-necessities, but that was definitely not the case. I was "assigned" a delightful 11-year old girl, who was prepared with a list of what she needed, right down to the sizes she wore. I looked around and realized all of the kids had lists. She eagerly picked out a backpack, some socks, and several outfits, before we headed for the check-out. As the cashier rang up her items, she told me, "I'm so happy. This year when I go back to school I won't have to be embarrassed or worry about getting made fun of because I'm wearing clothes that I've outgrown or using a backpack that is falling apart. I'll be just like everyone else."

I quickly realized that the idea of using the money for candy or toys was far from her mind (which was good, since it was against the shopping rules anyway). All she wanted was to have enough basic necessities to fit in. She just wanted to be a normal kid instead of worrying about money, and I was blessed to be a part of that experience.

On August 22, year two of Leaders Launching Learners will take place at ten different department stores throughout the Twin Cities, and we need over 850 volunteers to help the kids shop. Check out the website for more information or to sign up, and spread the word to others who might be interested. This is truly a unique experience that you'll want to be a part of.

Did you know...

2009-07-06T09:37:00.004-05:00

...that we're on Twitter? What is Twitter? Twitter's self-definition is that it's a service "to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?" If you're new to Twitter, this New York Times article--"Twittering Tips for Beginners"--details the pros and cons of Twitter along with tips for getting started. Follow us at twitter.com/thesalarmy for quick updates on The Salvation Army in the Northern Division.

Salvation Army Serving after Tornadoes Touch Down in Austin

2009-06-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

The Salvation Army has three mobile kitchens (canteens) on site providing assistance to residents and emergency workers in Austin, Minn., where a tornado touched down just before dark Wednesday, June 17. Salvation Army volunteer crews from Austin, Albert Lea and Mankato are providing hydration and are on standby at the Austin Salvation Army building to provide housing for up to 20 residents. With weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, hydration will be essential as residents wake to the daunting task of cleanup.

"There is no electricity anywhere in town," said Captain Jim Brickson, leader of the Albert Lea Salvation Army. "We have a generator available to provide lights in our Austin service center and are awaiting direction from city officials."

With no lighting available, the situation is difficult to evaluate and is potentially dangerous. "There are people outside in the dark cutting tree limbs off their houses," Brickson said last night. "It is a tenuous situation at best."

In times of disaster The Salvation Army specializes in providing mass feeding at the time of natural disasters, as well as providing financial resources to survivors as recovery efforts begin. Donations to disaster relief are used exclusively to provide assistance to residents in the damaged area. Click below to make an online donation or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Designate your gift to Austin Tornado Relief.

"Just a Spoonful of Sugar..."

2009-06-11T14:03:00.007-05:00

Some of you may remember our Wicked fundraiser last year, which sold out in a matter of weeks. Well this year--as a fundraiser--The Salvation Army is selling tickets to the award-winning musical Mary Poppins. The performance is at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 13 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

When you buy a ticket through our website for $120, $50 of that price automatically becomes a $50 tax-deductible donation to The Salvation Army (all seats are in the lower level). See our website for details on the show, buying tickets, and the option to upgrade to a "premium package."

Happy National Doughnut Day

2009-06-05T06:00:00.004-05:00

The next time you dunk your favorite doughnut, thank The Salvation Army. While The Army may not have invented the first doughnut - that distinction is lost in history --it can certainly take credit for the popularity of the doughnut today.

A little history: In August, 1917, fighting raged near Montiers, France, as soldiers huddled in camp - hungry, weary and drenched by 36 consecutive days of rain. In a tent near the front lines, Salvation Army lassies made doughnuts by filling a refuge pail with oil made dough with left over flour and other ingredients on hand, and used a wine bottle as a rolling pin. With a baking powder tin for a cutter and a tube for making the holes, doughnuts were fried - seven at a time - in soldier's steel helmets on an 18-inch stove.

Rain fell continuously, and the water-soaked tent finally collapsed. However, the 100doughnuts made on that first day were an immediate success. Soon, as many as 500 soldiers stood in muck outside the resurrected tent waiting for the sweet taste of doughnuts and before long, 9,000 doughnuts were being made around the clock. The tent became the first 24-hour doughnut shop.

Word spread and before long, Salvation Army lassies were making doughnuts wherever the war was being fought. Doughnuts were taken to the front lines, and it was reported that some pilots even dropped notes asking for doughnuts for their troops.

The doughnut's identity with The Salvation Army stuck. Doughnuts appeared everywhere The Army did. Ever since that August day in France 92 years ago, millions of doughnuts have been provided free by The Salvation Army to fireman, rescue workers, disaster victims - anyone in need. Salvation Army lassies made doughnuts the popular wartime food, and the doughnut came to symbolize the good work of The Salvation Army.

So now that you know a little history, go out and enjoy a doughnut, appreciating the deeper meaning behind it.

Losing Homes and Ending Childhoods

2009-06-02T07:46:00.005-05:00

As part of their "Children of the Recession" series, CBS News recently ran this story about 11-year old Tristen Clarke and his mother Rhonda, a homeless family whom The Salvation Army is helping to house in a motel in California. It's always shocking to face the fact that more and more children in America are becoming homeless due to the recession, but I found this story particularly heartbreaking because it revealed how much of a mental toll this is having on youth. Tristen worries about things that most kids his age take for granted--having enough food, a place to sleep, and even a safe place to play outside. In short, he's had to grow up too fast, and he's not alone. Reading his story reminded me of the many kids and young adults here in the Twin Cities facing the same harsh reality. Youth want to ease the burdens that are heaped on their parents in this economy, and it's mentally and emotionally exhausting.

The good news is that The Salvation Army has facilities and programs in place such as the Booth Brown House and other youth centers and programs throughout the Twin Cities to do as much as possible to provide relief. This CBS story shows that sometimes just having someone on your side can provide a sense of optimism; Despite his circumstances, 11 year-old Tristen describes himself as "lucky" because he and his mom aren't living on the street. Although they are homeless, the Salvation Army's provision keeps them from living "in a cardboard box," and he recognizes that as a blessing.

I encourage you to read his story, and also think of ways that you can be a blessing to kids like Tristen, here in our own community. Volunteering, donating, or even just taking a tour to learn more about what's happening in the Twin Cities are all small ways to make a big impact during these economically uncertain times.

A note of thanks

2009-05-12T15:55:00.004-05:00

Just thought I'd pass along a note from someone who received help through The Salvation Army's "Spring Spruce Up" event. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped that day!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to express our deepest thanks to the crew that came to our house on Saturday, April 25th, to 'straighten our fence'.

We have been spending every weekend for the past two months in Alexandria helping my 80 year old mother move from her house into an apartment. My father passed away last year and this has been very difficult for her to get ready to downsize.

We were scheduled to have our fence done but heard on the news that it was very rainy in Minneapolis so we assumed that it did not get done. We drove up to our house on Sunday morning, tired and sore, and noticed the fence had been repaired and straightened.We were so happy! When I got out of the car and looked around, I started to cry.

Not only was our fence done but all the leaves in the yard were raked, bagged and gone, a birdhouse hanging off the fence was reattached, all my plants were uncovered, another birdhouse was repaired, the air-conditioner was uncovered, our patio furniture was uncovered and set up and even our rain gutters were cleaned out. My yard is ready for me to plant my petunias.

My husband is 70 years old with two artificial knees and I have arthritis so it is to the point that we are thinking of selling our home because we can't do the outside work any longer. So you can see what a blessing this was for us. God bless everyone involved!!

Going on vacation this summer?

2009-05-06T08:43:00.007-05:00

Make sure to save those little hotel shampoos, conditioners, soaps and other supplies. The Salvation Army needs them to make hygiene kits for clients in our shelters.

You can drop off these supplies at The Salvation Army’s Division Headquarters in Roseville at 2445 Prior Ave North (MAP), and we'll put the kits together. Examples of some of the items that are found in a typical hygiene kit are listed below.

Men's Hygiene Kit:
Tooth Brush
Tooth Paste
Shampoo
Hand / Body Soap
Razor
Shaving Cream
Pair of Socks
Deodorant
Comb
Washcloth

Women's Hygiene Kit:
Tooth Brush
Tooth Paste
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Soap
Razor
Pair of Socks
Deodorant
Brush
Feminine Products
Washcloth

Questions about anything? Call our office at 651-746-3400.

Tide Loads of Hope

2009-04-30T10:52:00.003-05:00

As an organization that’s been meeting the basic needs of people since 1865, The Salvation Army can truly appreciate Tide’s “Loads of Hope” initiative which offers relief in disaster areas by providing one of the most basic needs: clean clothes. The Tide Loads of Hope program dispatches a mobile laundromat containing 32 washers and dryers, with the capacity to do up to 300 loads of laundry a day for those in need, and is now coming to the Fargo/Morehead area to help those affected by the flooding. This free service gives disaster victims and those involved in the clean-up process a chance to drop off their laundry and stop back later to find it washed, dried and folded! What an incredible opportunity for those who have been consumed with flood relief and recovery to have Tide take this burden off of them. The “Loads of Hope” truck is scheduled to arrive in the Fargo/Morehead area around Wednesday of next week, and will stay for approximately 10 days. Check out the Loads of Hope website to find out how you can help.

Thank You Volunteers!

2009-04-21T15:37:00.003-05:00

National Volunteer Week is April 19-25, and The Salvation Army is one organization that definitely understands the importance of our volunteers! Last year more than 82,000 volunteers gave over 360,000 hours of service for The Salvation Army's Northern Division (Minnesota and North Dakota). Imagine how dramatically The Salvation Army's impact would lessen without the help of dedicated volunteers...

So to all of you wonderful volunteers: Thank you for volunteering. Thank you for helping us impact countless families and individuals. Thank you for helping those who cannot help themselves.

Speaking of volunteers, I recently had the privilege of interviewing Tim and Desta Hunt, a couple who have dedicated their retirement years to volunteering for The Salvation Army in any way they can. Their story is inspirational and I encourage you to read about it in this article.

(To learn more about volunteer opportunities with The Salvation Army, click here.)

More Than Just a Basket

2009-04-13T09:04:00.005-05:00

To many, handing out Easter baskets might seem low on the list of priorities when it comes to helping those affected by the floods. But to those on the receiving end, these Easter baskets came with a message of hope and comfort, a message that they desperately needed to hear.

Take Oslo, MN for example. Last week this tiny town was only accessible by airboat, and the effects of isolation and helplessness began to weigh heavily on the residents. On Thursday, The Salvation Army arrived in Oslo with a surprise: Easter baskets for everyone, including the adults. This small token of love revived the community in a way that will not be soon forgotten. The Mayor of Oslo said that "a week ago our citizens were showing signs of depression and edginess, but when The Salvation Army came to town and began to give supplies and hot meals, it was enough for the whole town to come to the community center and share a meal and just be able to get out of their homes and talk to one another."

Major Ed Wilson of the nearby Grand Forks Salvation Army tells about a little boy he met while spending time with the Oslo community: "Mouth full of bubble gum from his basket and both cheeks painted--one with a lightning bolt and the other with a shark--he said to his friend, 'Man, I am really having a lot of fun here.'" Major Wilson also spoke to an 80 year-old lady of Oslo and asked her if she got her basket, "Her eyes lit up and she said yes, it is the first Easter basket that she ever received in her life." Major Wilson went on to say, "Sometimes we think that perhaps a basket is the least of things we should worry about during these times, but I think Thursday night reaffirmed how important it is that we stay sensitive to God's leading and be willing to obey. Just a basket to us perhaps, but to Oslo, it was a message from God that He cares and He can use just a basket to bring hope in a time of hopelessness."

Thank you to all of the volunteers who put these Easter baskets together and all of those who donated the candy which made over 3,700 baskets to bring hope to many who may have felt forgotten.

I was away for a week and came back to find seven boxes of lollipops in my office…

2009-04-07T10:12:00.005-05:00

Why, you ask? Well, it wasn’t a welcome home gift from my fellow co-workers, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s even better than that: the lollipops are just a portion of the donated candy that will be used to create 10,000 Easter baskets for the children of the Red River Valley who could definitely use a little Easter cheer right about now.

The Easter baskets will be put together tomorrow afternoon with the help of 150 volunteers, but candy donations are still needed to make this a success. (Individually-wrapped chocolate bunnies are most needed.) Read all of the exciting details and how you can help in this press release, “Easter Cheer Rolls to Red River.”

If you haven’t caught up on The Salvation Army’s involvement in the flood prevention/relief, you can browse all of the recent press releases in the news section of our website.

Great News! Check out this Press Release:

2009-03-23T16:09:00.002-05:00

The Salvation Army Northern Division Receives $621k for Newly Unemployed

ROSEVILLE, Minn. – March 20, 2009 – The Salvation Army Northern Division has received $621,000 to assist newly unemployed persons in the Twin Cities and 15 cities across Minnesota and North Dakota.

The money will be used exclusively for families and individuals who are in crisis as a result of unemployment occurring after Oct. 1, 2008.

The money will be dispersed to 24 Salvation Army locations as follows:
- Nine Twin Cities locations will each receive $27,000.
- North Dakota locations: Bismarck ($18,000), Grand Forks ($18,000), Minot ($27,000).
- With the exception of International Falls ($18,000), 11 Minnesota locations will each receive $27,000: Albert Lea, Brainerd Lakes, Cloquet, Duluth, Fairmont, Fergus Falls, Hibbing, Mankato, St. Cloud, Virginia, Willmar.

The money came from The Salvation Army Central Territory ($414,000) and from community donations ($207,000). In February, the Central Territory reallocated $3.45 million to be used in a grant for the 225 locations it oversees in 11 Midwestern states. Each Salvation Army location could apply for grants of $12,000 or $18,000. In order to receive the dollars, they had to raise half the amount via matching donations from their community.

“The Hibbing Salvation Army, for example, raised $9,000 in community donations. This allowed them to receive the $18,000 grant, for a total of $27,000,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Sjögren, Commander of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “These grant dollars have come at a critical time. They will help struggling Minnesota and North Dakota families pay for things like gas, food and utility bills.”

To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (one day late)!

2009-03-18T12:23:00.007-05:00

I’ve never been a big celebrator of this holiday, though I do enjoy an excuse to wear green and be extra jolly. I’ll admit that green food coloring made its way into some of my dinner last night, just for the sake of festivity. I’ll also admit that it’s not as fun as it seems to eat green food. My celebration pales in comparison to the many St. Patrick’s Day parades that occurred or the Chicago River, which was customarily dyed green in honor of the holiday. (See right)

Today my dad, who has been a pastor for 30 years, sent me an e-mail sharing his own thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day and it gave me an entirely new perspective on the holiday:

“Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. Here in America it seems to be a time for parties and green beer. I’ve always thought that this is strange because when you take away all the myths about him and look at the historical record, we realize that St. Patrick was really a missionary. He was from Britain, and was captured and taken to Ireland to be a slave when he was a youth. After some years there he escaped and made his way back to Britain. But in time God spoke to him and he felt called to go and take the gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. You have to love a man like that! As I thought about Patrick yesterday I thanked God for all of those who have left comfortable homes, friends, and families to go to other lands to share the gospel.”

Wow, this is entirely new to me! So I guess instead of eating green food, a better way to celebrate would have been to strive to live a little more like St. Patrick himself. I too am thankful for all of those with The Salvation Army and other organizations who are spreading the love of God throughout the world, and hopefully next time this holiday rolls around, we’ll all remember that there’s more to it than food coloring.

A Great Idea from our Neighbors in Wisconsin

2009-03-10T11:17:00.002-05:00

This article struck me as a creative, simple way we can all help to "Do the Most Good" by "doing nothing." But before you take that too literally, read on to find out what it really means to "do nothing," and then try it right here in the Twin Cities:

Salvation Army "doing nothing" to raise funds
By Eric Little
27 February 2009
Sheboygan Press (WI)

The Sheboygan Area Salvation Army is doing nothing to raise funds in the coming weeks, and they hope local residents join their inaction.

The aid organization is in need of funds, but instead of investing in a traditional event, the Salvation Army is seeking donations through a “non-event” called A Night Without. Residents are being asked to forego a luxury item such as a dinner out, a car wash or a manicure and donate the money they would have spent.

“The plea for money is ongoing. We need money to keep our homeless shelter open and help people who are in crisis mode,” Development Director Heidi Cain said in a statement. “The needs of our clients are growing, and this fundraiser is a way for people to give in a very personal way, by going without a luxury item, or a night out.”

The idea was inspired by 7-year-old twins Ava and Emma Cinealis, age 7, who recently asked guests to bring food pantry donations instead of presents for a birthday party, Cain said.

She said the unique fundraiser saves event costs, preserving more money for use in social service programs. Donations collected from the non-event will be used for The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter, the free clinic, and the other important programs and classes that lead people toward independence.

“This is an unique opportunity for people to support the mission of The Salvation Army,” said Jeanne Kliejunas, The Salvation Army’s business administrator, said in a statement.

The Salvation Army reports an increase of at least 20 percent in the “new poor,” people who have never sought help before but have been pushed over the financial edge by the economy. There has been an increased need for rental, food, medical, and shelter assistance.

“This is an opportunity for community members to come together,” Cain said. “It is our hope that one night doing without will help those who are struggling to provide the basics in life.”

Another Opportunity to Multiply Your Potential to Help

2009-03-05T13:50:00.001-06:00

The Twin Cities Salvation Army is hoping to receive $162,000 from its Chicago headquarters if it can raise $81,000 from the local community. This would provide nearly a quarter of a million dollars to be used to financially support community members who are unemployed due to the economic crisis hitting the nation and forcing businesses to close or layoff workers.

By utilizing these grant dollars the local Salvation Army is leveraging community support at a two to one ratio. For every dollar the community donates to the fund, the Chicago grant will kick in two dollars. Funding allocations are expected to be announced on March 20.

Supporters can donate online at www.thesalarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks may be mailed to 2445 Prior Ave N, Roseville MN 55113. Donors should designate the funds to "Unemployment Matching Grant."

Salvation Army units throughout the state will also be applying for the funding. The Salvation Army Chicago headquarters for 11 Midwestern states has reallocated $3.45 million to be pumped directly into local Salvation Army services for families and individuals who are in crisis as a result of unemployment occurring after October 1, 2008.

“In many instances, former donors are turning to us, asking for help they always assumed was for others. This is a new population, impacted by situational poverty, who have been formerly employed and with housing,” said Colonel Carol Seiler, Coordinator for Strategic Ministry Planning for The Salvation Army in the Midwest.

2009-02-27T15:00:00.002-06:00

This article in today's Chicago Tribune vividly depicts how more and more people across the country are seeing beyond their own need to help others. It has been inspiring to see this occurring right here in the Twin Cities, but it's good to know that Salvation Army facilities throughout the nation are providing a way for people in the midst of their own distress to help others. But enough from me, I'll just let you read it for yourself:

Laid-off Elgin man 'knows how it is'; He jumps in to help despite his own woes; Fernando Leyva

By Phyllis Benson
27 February 2009
Chicago Tribune

Who: Despite a diagnosis of cancer and losing his job and home, Fernando Leyva of Elgin couldn't sit around feeling sorry for himself. He found an outlet to help others at the Salvation Army.

What he does: Leyva is an all-around volunteer, said Maj. Ken Nicolai of the Salvation Army.

"He's such a kind-hearted person," Nicolai said. "He knows how it is. I think that's what drives him. He has an intuitive ability to say, 'Let me help you; it's not as bad as it seems.' "

A daily fixture at the Salvation Army, Leyva helps people understand the steps they need to get assistance and often takes it upon himself to go with a client to help make a payment at a currency exchange or retrieve a repossessed car.

He also helps sort and distribute food to the growing numbers looking for assistance, and he created an informational flier in Spanish for clients.

"He did it of his own initiative. It makes it easier for them and might prevent them from waiting for an hour for something that could be handled very simply," Nicolai said.

What he did: Leyva, the father of two young sons, lost his job as a mortgage broker when the housing market collapsed.

Why he does it: "We know what it's like to have a very comfortable life," Leyva said.

His wife, Cecilia, now gets up at 4 a.m. every day to stand in line with hundreds of others at temporary agencies looking for day labor work.

Seeing people coming to the Salvation Army for assistance from the window of his rented home spurred him to action. Despite his setbacks, Leyva realizes he could have it worse.

"There's all this need, I don't mind," he said.

"Gift Package of Honor"

2009-02-23T14:53:00.003-06:00

I just have to share this great story, told by a Salvation Army social worker at our St. Paul Citadel Worship and Service Center:

“As we were opening the doors to let clients into the building for the breakfast program a young man pulled me aside and asked if we might have some flowers or something for his mom’s birthday. I said we could help him with something. We normally have plenty of unique items that comes into the food shelf and I believed we could put something together for him. I started to review the stuff in the food shelf and was reminded that I received a very nice box of dark chocolates as a gift for Valentines Day. I love dark chocolate and so does my wife, so I dismissed the thought and kept rummaging through the food shelf for something special. Then a thought hit me. ‘Why am I saving the best for me and trying to find something else for this client? God never did that to me. He always gave his best!’ So I went to my office and pulled out the prized dark chocolate box and with the collective help of the office team we put together a gift bag of special items. The best we could find. We called it ‘the gift package of honor.’ We were helping one of God’s precious souls honor his mother. As he wrote out the card to her, his heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked us for such a special gift and we thanked him for the honor to serve.”

Beyond the Red Kettle

2009-02-17T14:55:00.003-06:00

We had a great Beyond the Red Kettle tour this afternoon at our Booth Brown House facility in St. Paul. About 20 donors, volunteers, and staff members gathered for a free lunch followed by a walking tour of this building, which houses young men and women who would be otherwise homeless. We heard incredible stories from the Booth Brown House staff about once-struggling young adults who are now on their feet, with college degrees and complete lives of their own. I love executing these tours because I get to witness the eye-opening experience our tour guests have as they walk through the building and hear about the programs. Every single time we have had a tour here, at least one tour guest pulls me aside to whisper, "I had no idea that The Salvation Army does this kind of thing." I always tell them that that's exactly why we do these tours in the first place! We want to show people what happens beyond that red kettle that you see at Christmas time, and take a deeper look into our programs.

I am thankful that The Salvation Army does have a facility like this to help youth and young adults from sleeping on the streets or "couch-hopping" because it is a need that many are unaware of. The Wilder Foundation's recent research on homelessness reveals that "on a typical night in Minnesota, there are an estimated 600 youth under age 18, and even more young adults who are homeless and on their own. These are among the least visible and most vulnerable homeless people. Most have experienced serious upheaval in their lives; about half have been physically abused." Seeing Booth Brown House first-hand is always a reminder that this need exists and it is incredible to hear about so many who have gone from homeless to complete self-sufficiency within a matter of months.

Join us on our next tour! All are welcome, and it's easy to sign up online. Check out The Salvation Army's website, and click on "Take a Tour."

"Need Knows No Season"

2009-02-09T11:30:00.002-06:00

I know, I know: Long time, no blog. I have been out of the office, healing up after eye surgery, so please excuse my blog-absence over the last couple of weeks. When I told friends that I would be having this surgery, many of them responded with, "Oh, well it's a good thing this is the slow season for The Salvation Army." This always makes me laugh, because although Christmas is admittedly a busier time then usual, there really is no "slow season" for The Salvation Army. "Need knows no season" is a phrase often touted by The Salvation Army and its staff, and it's true that long after the bells from the red kettles have died down, need is ever-present. So while things have calmed down from the frenzied pace of the Christmas season, it's far from "slow" around here, and I am thankful that we have programs in place to help and serve those in need 365 days a year.

From crumpets to crowns...a day in the life of Lynnea

2009-01-26T15:43:00.006-06:00

What am amazing day I had on Thursday! I started off the morning by speaking to a group of 25 women who had gathered with the sole purpose of learning more about The Salvation Army. They drank tea and ate crumpets while I shared information and my own personal stories with them, but what I really enjoyed was listening to their own stories of how The Salvation Army has helped them. Whether is was getting free coffee and doughnuts during World War II from a Salvation Army canteen, or giving birth to a child in a Salvation Army hospital, it seemed like they all had a story to share. I feel as though I learned more from them than they learned from me, but they assured me that that's not true.

That evening, I went to the Winter Carnival in St. Paul to volunteer for the 2009 Coronation, as a way to meet more people in St. Paul and to share with them about what The Salvation Army is also doing in the community. I had never been to a coronation before, and the world of crowns and princesses is completely new to me. I spent the evening meeting royalty and helping with the production of the event, and I was amazed at the kind hearts of every person who spoke at the coronation. How inspiring to see these St. Paul leaders speaking of the importance of community and working towards improving the lives of those around us.

As I watched the young women receive their crowns, I thought about how my day had shown me the deep capacity of people of all ages to serve, to love, and to help others. From my morning of tea and crumpets with women who have decades of history with The Salvation Army, to my evening with a young generation promising to work to improve the community, back to my desk at The Salvation Army where I read e-mails and newsletters about all of the wonderful work The Salvation Army is doing throughout the world, my hope for the future is strengthened more than ever.

Thank You

2009-01-20T14:06:00.003-06:00

It has been such a pleasure to spend some time these last couple of weeks talking with those who gave to help us meet our Christmas goal. I was holding my breath throughout the Christmas campaign, hoping and praying that the struggling economy would not translate to us struggling to have the funding to provide people the help and relief they need. Fortunately, the community came through in a big way, and now that all the craziness of the holidays has died down, I've had the privilege of calling many of those who helped us meet that goal and thanking them for their gifts.

One specific supporter I spoke with told me that she had never given to The Salvation Army, and she was in a very difficult financial situation herself. She cut corners and scraped together $50.00 to donate to a charity during Christmas. After researching multiple non-profits, she decided to give her donation to The Salvation Army, telling me she decided on us because "I know you will stretch this gift to reach out to even more people in need, and that's what our community needs right now." Of course, I was touched by her generosity to give even when she was "hard-up" herself, but I was also pleased that our organization stood up so well to her research. I have always believed that it is incredibly important to be transparent to our donors, our volunteers, and the public in general, and I'm glad that we are accountable to our supporters to use their gifts in honorable and cost-effective ways.

A touching letter from a Salvation Army supporter...

2009-01-14T10:12:00.000-06:00

When my grandfather was dying in the '40s, my grandma had three sons serving our country at the same time overseas. She searched all over for ways to get them home to say goodbye to their dad, but no one could help, they couldn’t afford to get home on their own, and they couldn’t even think about taking out a loan. Over 60 years later, my mom vividly remembers and recounts how The Salvation Army came to the rescue, and got all three brothers home to be with my grandma and grandpa. One brother was even as far away as Greenland, and The Salvation Army paid for him to come home and to return! The whole family was able to be together to say goodbye to their father (my grandfather), and it brought so much peace. I have never told that story. I never needed to because every time somebody mentions The Salvation Army my mom steps up to the plate and tells it even better. After she is gone, I will tell it for her, I promise. Go “Army.”

The Word is Out!

2009-01-08T09:40:00.003-06:00

We officially made (and surpassed) our 2008 Christmas Campaign goal, and brought in 9 million dollars this Christmas season! I am amazed and inspired by the generosity of the community who gave to help others even though many of them were most likely in need themselves. I've talked to so many donors this season who have told me, "I realized that if I'm hurting financially, others are probably hurting even more, so I gave what I could, hoping it would make a little difference." Well, with so many people giving "what they could," a very big difference will be made in many people's lives. Please read this press release or this Star Tribune Article for details on how the goal was reached.

New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-31T13:08:00.005-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to volunteer for "Stuff the Bus," a Salvation Army event that allowed people to donate toys right outside of Wal-Marts throughout the Twin Cities by putting them on a big bus parked outside of the store. The goal was clear: to stuff the bus full of toys to give deserving children a great Christmas. I was at the Wal-Mart in Apple Valley, and was overwhelmed by the generosity of those donating. Some gave bags of toys, some gave just one toy, but all were digging deep during a difficult economical time to help others.

One donor in particular still sticks in my mind: A little boy and his mom approached the big bus, and as they came closer, I could see that his mom was crying. The little boy held a bag full of toys and as he offered it to be placed on the bus, we (the staff on the bus) asked her what was wrong. She told us that her son had been saving his allowance for months to throw a pizza party for his friends. It took him a long time, but he had finally saved $60. When they came to Wal-Mart that day, he saw the bus and his mom had explained to him that there were lots of children who wouldn't get any presents that Christmas, and that people were buying toys and putting them on the bus to help out. He told his mom that he wanted to help, and instead of buying one toy to give away, he spent his entire $60 on toys, and donated them all. His mom was so overcome with emotion, seeing her son spend every penny he had on children he didn't even know, that she couldn't stop crying. The rest of us were holding back our own tears as he put the toys on the bus and walked away, seeking no recognition or thanks for his self-sacrifice.

Last week during Christmas I kept thinking about this little boy, and how simple his touching example was: He saw a need, asked himself what he could do to help, and gave of himself in a sacrificial way. As I gave and received presents from friends and family, I asked myself how sacrificial I’ve been lately. Do I give, volunteer, serve others, etc. only when it’s convenient or would I follow this child’s example and allow myself to be inconvenienced in a significant way to help others?

As we go into the New Year, this is something I will be thinking about and working on in my own life. I guess you could even call it a resolution! And I encourage you to think about how you and your family can also strive to be more like this little boy throughout 2009 and in the many years to come.

Update!

2008-12-24T09:54:00.003-06:00

As you read in my last post, we challenged the community to a half a million dollar possibility by matching a $250,000 pledge on December 23rd. I am thrilled to report that the community surpassed that goal and responded with a Million Dollar day!

Tuesday's online donations, checks, pledges and a Fox 9 phone bank topped out the scale at $296,535 - more than enough to receive the matching gift.

Then came the gift to make Tuesday Dec 23 a record breaker - a $500,000 contribution from Cargill.

This brings Tuesday's total to $1,046,535. This amazing number doesn't even include the money pouring into red kettles all day long. That number will likely not be calculated until the end of the day today which is the final day to donate to the kettles this season.

With this record breaking day The Salvation Army is closing in on the $8.5 million Christmas Campaign goal with a total of $6.1 million.

"We need to keep this momentum alive," says Major Darryl Leedom, Salvation Army Twin Cities Commander. "As we prepare to serve in 2009 we fully expect continued increases in need. It is imperative we have the means to extend compassionate care to hurting families."

Donations may be made at red kettles through Wednesday, online at www.thesalarmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or mailing a check to 2445 Prior AVE N, Roseville MN 55313.

Have I got a deal for you...

2008-12-17T16:04:00.004-06:00

An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to a quarter of a million dollars for any gift made, designated, or postmarked December 23rd for this year's Christmas campaign. What does this mean for you? If you put a quarter in a red kettle on December 23rd, it automatically becomes 50 cents. If you write a check for $100 and write "match" in the memo line, it automatically becomes $200. $1000 becomes $2000, $10,000 becomes $20,000...you get the point.

During such tough economic times, what an incredible opportunity to let us literally double the amount of money that you are able to give this year!

What can you do?

1. Spread the word! Tell everyone you know about this great opportunity!

2. Adopt a Kettle: Offer to do your own match up to a certain dollar amount for a specific kettle location. Then every cent put in that kettle will actually be tripled! (Matched once by you and once by our anonymous donor.) Let me know if you're interested in this lynnea.erickson@usc.salvationarmy.org

3. Donate money in a red kettle, online, by calling 800-SAL-ARMY, or by mailing a check to 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Write "match" in the memo line of a check for your donation to be matched. (All donations made on 12/23 will automatically be matched)

Grand Meander

2008-12-08T14:27:00.002-06:00

In an effort to get to know the St. Paul community better, I spent some time at the Grand Meander in St. Paul on Saturday. I met some great people at the various events--pancake breakfast, trolley rides, etc.--and was able to learn about what others are doing in the area to help those in need. It was great to be able to share information about my role at The Salvation Army and all of the different programs we do during the Christmas season to try to provide some relief to others, while also hearing about what else is happening in St. Paul and throughout the twin cities in other organizations.

I also had my very first bell-ringing experience, and it was cold. We had red kettles all the way up and down Grand Avenue for this event, and I took my bell-ringing post on the corner of Snelling and Grand from 3-5pm. As the sun started to set a little after 4:00, it got colder and windier, and my shivers were strong enough to make the bell ring in my hand without any help from me! I think that I elicited more sympathy than dollars and coins from the passers-by, but all I could think of, while my eyes watered in the wind and then froze to my cheeks, was of all of the people who were out in the cold with nowhere to go. I was counting the minutes until I could get into my warm car and go home to my warm apartment, but not everyone is that fortunate. I am so thankful for The Harbor Light and other shelters in the Twin Cities, because this was definitely a reality check for me to get a very small glimpse in to what it is like for those with no home to stay safe and warm in during these bitterly cold winter months.

Adopt-a-Family

2008-12-04T10:09:00.002-06:00

Hundreds of families will have a much merrier Christmas this year because they have been "adopted" by generous families throughout the Twin Cities who have committed to providing them with kindness, warmth, groceries, and gifts to open Christmas morning. Yesterday at 5:00a.m. we kicked off our "Adopt-a-Family Radiothon" and set out to match almost 700 needy families of all sizes--from families of two to families of 12--with those willing to bless others in this unique way. I was fortunate enough to volunteer for this event yesterday, and was amazed to watch the number of families left to be adopted shrink dramatically throughout the day and into the evening as people called in to sign up to adopt. One woman called in near the end of the day and asked how many families hadn't been adopted yet in Anoka county; when we told her there were five left, she said, "I'll take them all," and adopted all five families! Others who called in explained that their entire extended families had decided to forego buying presents for one another this year, and each one of them adopted a family instead.

These acts of generosity amaze and inspire me, but I was equally impressed by how many volunteers came out to help make this daunting endeavor a success. Entire companies came in together to answer phones, mail out "wish lists" to adopters, and happily perform whatever tasks were assigned to them. Other volunteers used their vacation time at their jobs to take the day off and help us out. All of their sacrifices were worthwhile, because although the Adopt-a-Family Radiothon was scheduled to go through the rest of day, by 10:00 this morning every single family had been adopted. Now, in hundreds of households throughout the Twin Cities, there will be presents under the tree where possibly for years before children had gone without, and there will be food on the table that was previously bare. Thank you for making this possible.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T10:04:00.002-06:00

This year has clearly been difficult for a lot of people, and I'm just as guilty as the next person of grumbling every once in a while about the economy, the weather, or just about having a bad day. But for me, Thanksgiving is always the loudest wake-up call there is to remind me that even in tough times, there is so much to be thankful for. Sounds cliché, I know, but it's true! This year more than ever, I've been touched by the amount of people who give of their time, money, and other resources, to try to improve the lives of others. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to take people on tours of the different Twin Cities Salvation Army facilities, and I love watching the progression of tour guests as they are inspired to get involved in the work The Salvation Army is committed to doing.

Just in the last week I've talked to several families who have chosen to spend their Thanksgiving serving food to the hundreds of homeless people who don't have families to spend the holiday with, a school who held a Mitten Drive and collected over 150 pairs of mittens to keep people warm this winter, and a group of 13 Girl Scouts who collected bags and bags of food to donate to the food shelf at St. Paul Citadel Worship and Community Center. All of these people came to a tour, saw first-hand how much need exists in our community, saw what The Salvation Army is doing to help, and chose to be a part of that. Instead of getting discouraged by the dramatic increase in need we've seen this season, these people have chosen to do something about it, and they are my inspiration and encouragement this Thanksgiving.

2008-11-13T16:01:00.000-06:00

I met a woman at a Chamber of Commerce event last week who, once she heard that I work for The Salvation Army, told me point-blank, "The Salvation Army saved my life." She told me how she "practically lived" at the Salvation Army facility on West 7th St. (St. Paul Citadel Worship and Community Center) when she was growing up. "I had a very dysfunctional home life, and The Salvation Army was absolutely a safe haven for me and my sisters." She even spent her summers at Silver Lake Salvation Army Camp, where I worked for several summers of my own. Of course this revelation caused us to simultaneously break out into singing all of our favorite Salvation Army camp songs! She was so thrilled to hear that we still offer programs to give kids a chance to escape "the tragedies of their own lives," and I assured her that The Salvation Army definitely recognizes the importance of those programs, and there is no plan to stop offering them! This woman is now a successful owner of her own company, and she attributes much of her success to finding some source of stability in life, through the services The Salvation Army provided.

Meeting her was an extraordinary experience for me, because it was like flash-forwarding in time a few decades to see where all of those kids I met working at camp all those summers--whose stories broke my heart--will hopefully end up some day. I always dreaded the last day of a camp week because it meant sending the kids off to the same (sometimes toxic) environment that they came from, hoping that they'd gained some insight into their own worth as a child of God, as a person deserving respect and love, and with knowledge of the nearest Salvation Army facility to their home where they can find help and comfort. To see the long-term effects of simply offering a child a "safe haven," personified in this woman before me was the greatest blessing to me, and I hope it brightens your day as well.

Freeze!

2008-11-06T22:04:00.004-06:00

What's more difficult to ignore while walking down the street than a person frozen in place, directly in your path? How about 100 frozen people? That's exactly what we did today as a part of The Salvation Army's "Ignore No More" campaign. 100 students from North Central University, along with many Salvation Army employees froze in place at the exact same time for exactly five minutes in downtown Minneapolis at 12:40pm. Every frozen person wore an Ignore No More sticker someplace on his or her body, which was the only clue about what was happening to confused passers-by.

Admittedly, I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to fully "commit," and actually remain still for five minutes without giving into my urges to step out of the way of all of the pedestrians barreling towards me. Surprisingly, it was not only easier than I thought, but it was also unbelievably fun. I decided to freeze in place while taking my umbrella out of its casing so that it would be clear that I was frozen in the middle of a task and not just standing still. The people walking past did double and triple takes, trying to figure out why I wasn't moving, and then looked around noticing the many, many others who were also frozen. I even heard more than one person say, "This is surreal..." Every person trying to walk down the sidewalk was forced to maneuver, swerve, and zig-zag around us, just to make it down the block!

The goal was to bring attention to Ignore No More by doing something impossible to ignore, and I definitely believe that that goal was achieved. When we broke out of our freeze after five minutes, we handed out stickers reading "Ignorenomore.org" and told them, "Curious? Check out the website." Are you curious about today's Freeze? Check out these pictures and the video below to see it yourself!

Coats for Kids

2008-11-04T09:44:00.006-06:00

Last week I was able to participate in this year's Coats for Kids drive. This annual event distributes new or gently used coats, hats, mittens, and scarves to needy children throughout the Twin Cities. This was my first time being involved with this, and as soon as I arrived early in the morning to help hand out coats at St. Paul Citadel Worship and Service Center (one of several Salvation Army sites distributing coats that day), I was overhwelmed by the long line of parents patiently waiting for the "coat boutique" to open up. I made sure that they knew that it wouldn't be open for another couple of hours, and they assured me that they knew. "I just can't risk not getting a coat for my kids," the first woman in line told me. "Times are hard. Harder than they've ever been," she said, "I'm ashamed that I can't provide coats for my kids on my own to keep them warm during the winter. This way, at least they won't freeze, even if my pride is hurt a little."

I watched all day as moms and dads happily found coats for their kids, but unfortunately, the need is overwhelming, and the selection couldn't accommodate everyone. I helped one woman who had stopped by to find coats for her five kids over her lunch hour. We looked through all of the racks trying to find the right sizes, but in the end she walked away with only two coats. She told me, "I only want to take a coat if I'm absolutely sure that it will fit one of my children. I don't want to take a coat away from someone else who might need it." I was struck by her consideration of others, even when faced with her own needs.

I had the pleasure of spending the day volunteering with a group of employees from 3M. One 3M employee had coordinated with our Volunteer Services department to cover the entire day of volunteer shifts for Coats for Kids. What an amazing thing to do as a business--to give of your time together to help others. This group worked tirelessly with smiles on their faces. Over the lunch hour, we were able to talk about The Salvation Army, and I was able to answer questions, talk about various programs, and invite them to attend a Beyond the Red Kettle tour. This was such a kind, gracious group of people, and they kept saying over and over, "If only people knew. If only people knew." I assured them that that's the purpose of my job--to make sure that people do know about the extreme needs facing our community and what The Salvation Army is doing to try to relieve it. I told them that it's people like them that make my job really worthwhile; when I meet a group of people who become aware of the work to be done and jump on board to partner with us in that work, it is all the encouragement I need to keep spreading the word to the best of my ability.

A Story from the Past

2008-10-27T08:49:00.001-05:00

A long note recently came in with a Salvation Army supporter's donation, and it touched me so deeply, I asked him if I could share it:

Dear Salvation Army,

In 1943 my dad was discharged from the United States Navy. He had four children (including me) and was unemployed. We lived with my mom's sisters and grandfather in Winona, MN. I was about 3 years old then. He went to other organizations for help--financial assistance, food and clothing, whatever help he could find. All he received was a voucher for 2 gallons of milk with a blanket. Then he went to The Salvation Army and received food vouchers (enough to eat on for a week), $5 cash, clothing for us kids and a nice used new suit with a list of possible employers that might hire him.

He told me this story with great respect for The Salvation Army, and I never forgot it. That is why my contributions to The Salvation Army are consistent each time you send me a reminder in the mail.

I live on social-security and find myself maxed-out at the end of the month. But if I could save my contributions for myself, what would I do with them? No amount of money can buy me health, peace of mind, or the feeling that in some small way I can be a part of sharing my life with others who have less than me.

~John M.

What a beautiful cycle this is to see, those who already have so little giving to help those who have even less, because those before them were helped in the same way.

Right Place at the Right Time

2008-10-22T10:03:00.001-05:00

I received an amazing phone call from a Salvation Army supporter today. This couple consistently sends us encouraging notes along with their donations every time they donate, and in early September I wrote them a card to thank them for all of the encouragement they have given us and invited them to tour a facility. She called me this morning and we were able to talk for about 45 minutes. She told me that yesterday she and her husband were at Northwestern Bookstore and there was a woman in front of them in line who was flustered because she was running late and was going to miss her bus. They ended up giving this woman a ride, and when they got in the car she told them that she was on her way to The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter in Minneapolis, where she lives. On the car ride, this woman told them all about how both of her parents were drug-addicted and died young, how she was homeless and how The Salvation Army saved her life. She told them that there is no way that she could have gotten her life back on track without the help of The Salvation Army. This couple was overwhelmed by the young woman's testimony and how dedicated she is to the Lord now. The donor said that she just had to call me and be a witness as to how we are working in people's lives. She told me that they pray for us everyday, and that they can't imagine what this world would be like without us. What a blessing!

A New Viewpoint

2008-10-20T10:26:00.000-05:00

Monday I had the opportunity to speak about The Salvation Army to a group of 30 teenagers at a transitional living program, along with about 15 of their teachers. Even though I spoke for a whole 45 minutes, the students miraculously stayed focused the whole time! They asked so many great questions and even guessed correctly that The Salvation Army was started "back in the 1800s" (1865 to be exact).

The next day, the students and teachers joined me at our Salvation Army facility on West 7th in St. Paul, St. Paul Citadel Worship and Community center, for a tour to see first-hand what I had talked about in their classroom. We saw kids playing soccer in the gym, seniors playing card games in the cafeteria, people taking bread off of the free bread cart in the entry-way, and so much more.

While we were standing in the gym, listening to the Child Development Center Director talk about the kids who were at that time running wildly around the gym, one of the teenagers on the tour leaned over to me and whispered sarcastically, "Hey, those homeless people look a lot like kids to me." My confused look prompted her to continue: "I thought we came here to see homeless people, not some day care." This gave me a great opportunity to talk to her about why giving these kids a place to come kick a soccer ball around a gym can be life-changing to both the kids and their families. Without a safe place for their children to go, many parents can't keep their jobs or even try to get a job in the first place. Without the after-school program and the emphasis on literacy in the Child Development center, many of these kids might fail out of school, and that might take away the chance for them to provide for their own families some day. Without a place to go during the day or after school, who knows what danger they might be in or the wrong crowds they could fall into.

I gently told the girl, "If you want to see poverty, come back here any day of the week around 7:00am and you'll see 200-300 people coming here to get breakfast, which might be the only meal they eat all day. But if these kids aren't given an equal chance to be helped, in 10 years they might be the ones coming through the line for breakfast. Do you understand why it's all important?"

Her eyes filled with tears, and all she could say was, "I had no idea."

I saw myself in this girl because I was about her age when I had the same eye-opening experience (incidentally, mine also occurred while witnessing a Salvation Army youth program for the first time), and realized that the need is so much greater than I had ever recognized. What a privilege it is to not only expand people's ideas of who needs help in the world and here in the Twin Cities, but to also spread hope that The Salvation Army is working hard to eradicate that need from all angles.