Anonymous Donation Gives Homeless Children a Special Summer Break

Teonnia, Shon, Gladys, Annette, Andrew, Diamond, Jynxy and about a dozen other children traveled from Charlotte, NC to our nation’s capitol this July for a summer vacation. Amid the crowds of Washington, DC tourists the group of 18 kids blended in among the masses of other visitors, probably looking like the many school groups that make annual summer treks to the city. However, the story behind the young travelers’ trips was certainly unique.

The kids are residents of The Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte, NC, a homeless shelter for women and children that currently houses more than 300 people. Normally these kids would not have the opportunity to take a vacation as their parents strive just to find housing and provide food for their families, but the generosity of an anonymous donor made it possible for the children to escape from life’s challenges for a short while and just have fun being kids.

The children enjoyed simple pleasures, like staying in a hotel and eating out at restaurants, as well as experienced the unique history and character of Washington, DC. They toured the national monuments, viewed exhibits at some of DC’s most popular museums and even took a boat ride (a first for at least one child) down the Potomac.

To top off their adventure, the group even met with their U.S. Representatives for a personal and candid discussion!

The Charlotte Observer ran an interesting story about the trip with several quotes from the kids in an article called, “Away from the shelter to a Washington vacation,” which you can read by clicking here.

The contributions of the kind anonymous donor made it possible for The Salvation Army to provide these kids not only with shelter and food they receive at home in Charlotte, but also encouragement, inspiration, and a unique educational opportunity through this invaluable experience. In fact, all donations, regardless of size or amount, from generous Salvation Army supporters across the country help us serve those in need every day, and this story is just one of countless others in which lives have been affected for the better. For more information about contributing monetary support or gifts-in-kind to The Salvation Army, visit our website at www.salvationarmyusa.org and www.satruck.org.

You can also learn about the many services offered by The Salvation Army of Charlotte at their website www.salvationarmycharlotte.org/.

International Track Star Surprises Campers

International track star Lolo Jones paid a surprise visit to The Salvation Army’s Citadel Community Center (Corps) and Summer Day Camp in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday. Jones and an NBC television crew visited the center to help tell the story of how her family lived at The Salvation Army center during a time of homelessness when she was a child. Lolo was active in the Corps’ children’s ministries during her childhood.

After playing an intense game of dodgeball with the day camp children, Lolo encouraged them to reach for their goals.

The NBC crew captured video of Lolo Jones and the day campers in preparation for coverage of Lolo prior to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The footage is expected to be broadcast in August 2012. The film crew director said some of the video may be shown on NBC’s Today Show sooner.

Jones, an Olympic hurdler from Des Moines, is a two-time world indoor champion. She won her second outdoor national title in the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines on June 26 with a time of 12.69 seconds.

For more information about The Salvation Army’s work in Des Moines, visit their website at www.salvationarmy-desmoines.org.

Information provided by The Salvation Army’s Western Division.

“LemonAid” for Homeless Children

There is something cheerful and nostalgic about seeing roadside lemonade stands run by eager, entrepreneurial children. Nothing beats following the crayon-etched signs and dropping a few quarters into a tackle box-turned-cash register, then being greeted by a kid beaming with accomplishment as they hold up a refreshing homemade beverage in return.

That’s why we’re excited about a creative benefit called “LemonAiD Days” to support homeless children and their parents, an effort organized by The Salvation Army in Central Kentucky. Beginning June 1st, individuals and groups in this area can register their lemonade stand online or at their local Salvation Army. Participants will receive a LemonAiD kit in the mail that includes official badges, posters, and return envelopes for proceeds.

This fundraiser is a great way for kids to practice creativity, learn about economics, and be empowered to make a difference in their community. Proceeds will benefit The Salvation Army’s Comprehensive Emergency Shelter for families in Central Kentucky, with funds supporting the operational expenses associated with housing homeless children, such as providing food, lodging, diapers, clothing, and child-care.

For more information or to register online, visit www.lemonAiDdays.org. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Central Kentucky, visit www.salvationarmylex.org.

Spotlight: Lisa Thompson, The Salvation Army National Headquarters

Lisa Thompson is the National Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking at National Headquarters. Recently Lisa and her work with the Army to end sex trafficking was featured in “Christian Single” magazine. Download the entire article and learn more about how you can help abolish sexual trafficking. You can read more about The Salvation [...]

Ladies’ Night with The Salvation Army

Being able to serve others efficiently means knowing the unique needs of your audience. While The Salvation Army prides itself on its ability to help meet the basic needs of all men, women and children, it also knows that sometimes, special attention is a need all of its own. The Salvation Army in Bloomington, Illinois, [...]

Not always reacting

So much of what The Salvation Army is known for is its timely and dedicated disaster response initiatives.  From mud slides and tsunamis to earthquakes and tornadoes, the Army is always there to provide a warm meal, an attentive ear and a firm shoulder. Sometimes though, the stories of what the Army does to preempt [...]

Waiting to Exhale

The New Jersey Newsroom is running a four-part series on the New Jersey Salvation Army. The third installment talks about Camp Tecumseh, a sprawling, 400-acre facility in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Entitled, “Camp Tecumseh Brings Salvation to New Jersey Kids,” the article follows the experience of a 19-year-old Newark man who believes the camp saved [...]

A Hand Up, Not a Handout

The Bremerton Salvation Army in Washington state brought together the area’s homeless with elected officials for its “Lunch with Electeds.” The Kitsap Sun writes that, over a lunch of  turkey and potatoes, “society’s downtrodden” got some face time with city council members, mayoral candidates and state representatives. “The homeless told lawmakers about a number of [...]

The Salvation Army Helps Those in Africa, one step at a time

Major Froderberg from The Salvation Army’s Headqurters in San Francisco recounts her recent trip to Africa as part of her World Services Mission work. Pennies, dimes, quarters… odd coins thrown into a jar… tucked away in a drawer. Small change we might surmise… but not to the 505,326 children who attend 2,098 Salvation Army schools [...]