Southern Spirit May 30, 2015 | Page 9

7 May 30, 2015 Joseph Chang National Salvation Army Week kicks off donor support, events to thank communities and volunteers The week of Nov. 18-Dec. 4, 1954 (now recognized in May), was declared by the U.S. Congress and proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as the first National Salvation Army Week. President Eisenhower said: “Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of human brotherhood.” To commemorate NSAW, territorial headquarters and commands throughout the USA South held special events, invited guest speakers and served communities in the name of Jesus Christ. THQ invited guest speakers from the Red Shield Lodge in Atlanta during lunch all week. Employees purchased lunch tickets for catered meals donated by various vendors and took part in a silent auction and raised over $7,000 for the Red Shield Lodge. The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham served popcorn and bottled water from their mobile canteen truck at Brookwood Village. Shoppers and guests were served daily from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Salvation Army in Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County, Florida, celebrated with the Doing the Most Good Annual Dinner on May 12 and the Mobile Food Pantry on May 13. The dinner featured guest speaker Dan Rather and raised nearly $150,000. Rather spoke with a graduate of the Suncoast Adult Rehabilitation Center as well as a young volunteer and her mother, and George Cretekos, mayor of Clearwater, was presented with the Others award as over 300 guests learned how they can get involved with the Army.The Mobile Food Pantry was stationed in Tarpon Springs and served 223 households within just two hours. The Chattanooga Area Command, Citadel Corps and ReCreate Café hosted several events that engaged volunteers and community residents. On Monday, May 11, ReCreate held an improvisation performance of stories provided by the audience; on Tuesday, May 12 students at the School of Mus