In celebration of National Salvation Army Week, many divisions of the Salvation Army are planning on various events and activities across the nation.
In the Eastern Pennsylvania area, which is the first Salvation Army that was established in 1879, the Salvation Army’s youth and young adults from the division performed “Eliza,” May 8. The musical is about the life and ministry of Eliza Shirley, who pioneered The Salvation Army in Philadelphia and the U.S. in 1879. More than 1,500 people gathered at the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, located in Philadelphia to enjoy the musical.
The musical inspired people of all ages as it showed how faith could make all things possible through the life of a courageous 17-year-old young woman, Eliza, who changed America by pioneering the work of The Salvation Army.
In prior to the performance, The Salvation Army also awarded the inaugural Spirit of Eliza Scholarship Award, which was established in honor of Eliza Shirley, to three young women from the Philadelphia church community, for demonstrating courage, faith, persistence, leadership, and compassion in their daily lives like Eliza Shirley.
Colleen Allen, of The Salvation Army Pioneer Corps, Kourtney Marcus, of the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, and Liana Gomez, of the Sinai Assemblies of God Church received the award.
Following is a list of events that are taking place during the National Salvation Army Week. For more information about the involvement in the event, please contact your local Salvation Army:
**Southern New England Division
The Greenwich Service Unit will be holding their annual meeting on Thursday, May 13th. Lauren Garell, Director of Planned Giving, and other members of the Divisional Community Relations and Development staff, will be special guests to speak on Army history and stewardship.
Major Joan Brewer and members of the Community Relations and Development staff will be serving a special breakfast to Veteran’s at the Newington, CT Veteran’s Administration Hospital on Friday, May 14th, to honor the Veteran’s and celebrate the Army’s work with our service people.
** Empire State Division
The 4th Annual Civic Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 12th. They will be having a guest speaker at the event and will be honoring a local person for their service to The Salvation Army.
They will also be delivering donuts to local Media Outlets and corporations to honor their continued service to The Salvation Army on Monday, May 17th. The donuts were chosen because of the history of The Salvation Army donut girl.
**NEOSA Division
During National Salvation Army week, the Northeast Ohio division will be very busy. Beginning on Monday and going until Saturday, the Steubenville Corps has arranged for kettles to be placed outside of a few stores to collect some much needed funds.
The Steubenville Corps has also arranged for free lunches during the week to honor people in the community. On Monday, there will be a free lunch to honor the Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Personnel. Another lunch, for those who made reservations, will be held on Tuesday to honor all of their donors. All active and retired Armed Services Personnel are welcome to attend a lunch in their honor on Wednesday. On all three occasions, the Advisory Board will be available to greet the honorees, handout informational packets and help conduct tours of the facility.
The Norwalk Corps has been presented with a proclamation from the Mayor of Norwalk for National Salvation Army week. The proclamation will be read during a community benefit dinner on May 14th. At the dinner, silent and live auctions will take place as some of the entertainment for the evening.
**Atlanta, Georgia
Fire Safety Awareness Day, May 10
· The Atlanta City Fire Department is teaming up with one of The Salvation Army's Boys and Girl's Clubs to increase fire safety awareness in the low income neighborhood of our club. The club kids will be visited by firemen and a fire truck at the club in the afternoon, learn about safety and then distribute fire safety info, Salvation Army disaster response info and donated smoke detectors to area homes.
ESPN GOAL Awards Ceremony, May 11
· All of The Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Clubs are competing for awards in the annual ESPN GOAL awards ceremony.
Keeping Out the Heat: The Fan Give-A-Way, May 15
· In an effort to reduce the number of heat related deaths in Atlanta, The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Command has partnered with The Jewish Federation to distribute 1500 free box fans to elderly or disabled citizens who cannot financially afford to air condition their homes. This distribution effort will involve volunteers from Girl Scout troops, local high school chapters of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes (FCA), area youth groups and local college students as we pass out fans at two downtown locations and also deliver fans to homebound individuals.
Contact information for these events:
Carla Daniel
Communications Manager
678-418-4647
carla_daniel@uss.salvationarmy.org
**Knoxville, Tennessee
Doughnut Day in Downtown Knoxville, May 10
To celebrate the rich history of The Salvation Army, the Knoxville Salvation Army will serve old-fashioned doughnuts and hot coffee to the business mena nd women on the sidewalks of downtown from The Salvation Army canteen. Location: First Tennessee Plaza and Main Street in from of the City/County Building
· Major Bill Haslam to attend and proclaim this National Salvation Army Week.
· 93.1 The Point have a vehicle on-site.
· Disaster Canteen on-site making fresh coffee. 40 dozen doughnuts donated by Krispy Kreme.
· Handouts of local Army programs.
Salvation Army Open House/Lunchtime tour , May 12
· The community is invited to take a tour of The Salvation Army and learn aout our services and programs
· Lunch will be served
· Major Alderson will speak about The Salvation Army's work in Knoxville
· Other informational and entertaining activities will be available during the lunch.
Salvation Army Volunteer Days, May 12-13
· The Salvation Army will have 5,250 pounds of food donated from the letter carrier food drive.
· Large volunteer groups (12-15 people) will be scheduled to help sort food.
· Media are invited to come and be a part of the events and/or do a story abou tthe volunteers and volunteer opportunities at The Salvation Army.
Salvation Army Night at Smokies Park, May 16
Smokies vs. Carolina Mudcats
· Major Dewey Anderson will throw out the first pitch!
· There will be information on local Salvation Army programs, services, and ways to get involved.
· Adults and Children from The Salvation Army shelter will be invited to attend the game.
Contact information for these events:
Simon Henley
Development Director
Simon_Henley@uss.salvationarmy.org
http://www.salvationarmysouth.org/TENN.htm
**Kansas and Western Missouri
Donut Days
Hundreds of Salvation Army volunteers will hit the streets and stores in the Kansas City area for the Tenth Annual Donut Days held during National Salvation Army Week, on Friday and Saturday, May 14 & 15, 2004.Look for volunteers in red smocks at 100 area street locations, who are asking for donations!
The event is based on The Salvation Army's history and tradition of serving donuts to servicemen, beginning in 1917 in France during World War I, when a shortage of supplies and ovens necessitated making donuts in hot oil instead of baking bread. After all of these years, the donut is still a familiar sight at the scene of fires, tornadoes and other disasters where The Salvation Army comes to the aid of those in need.
**Omaha, Nebraska
Open Air Prayer Meeting
Salvation Army officers and volunteers hold 1880's era prayer meetings outdoors at the west end of Gene Leahy Mall, May 11, 12 & 13 from 11:30 am - 1:00 PM. Public welcome.
Thank You Omaha Picnic
On May 14, the Salvation Army will host 6th annual free picnic, 11:30 - 1:00 at the west end of Leahy Mall in conjunction with Salvation Army Week. Hot dogs, chips, pop and ice cream plus musical entertainment. Public welcome
