Inspiring Through Action

Whether she means to or not, Taylor Swift is sending an awesome message to her young followers: be charitable!

The young singer will be presented with the Big Help Award this weekend for her extensive philanthropic work and support of charities and nonprofits at the 25th Annual Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards. And we’re excited because The Salvation Army is one of the few organizations that she actively supports!

Meet Keith, A Salvation Army Star

Nominated by his boss, Lynn Kallgren, as a Salvation Army employee deserving recognition for his character and achievements, Keith Butler has worked tirelessly as a Data Entry Specialist for The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in San Diego for 17 years, all the while volunteering his time when the hours allow for it.

“He’ll actually work after church on Sunday all day so that he can take Friday off to ring bells at our red kettles,” Lynn said.

Honoring Through Service

This coming Monday, January 16 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Since the “King Holiday and Service Act” was passed in 1994, this traditional holiday off of work has become a day “on” for volunteerism and community service events. Salvation Army locations across the country are right on board, hosting a variety of events throughout this weekend that will provide you with the opportunity to give back to your community.

Encouraging Young Philanthropists

Do you ever wonder what the younger “plugged in” generation will be like in the future? According to the New York Times, the average kid spends over 7.5 hours each day using technology: perusing internet sites, watching TV, playing video games and listening to music.

How do we encourage the younger generations to leave their computers and “Do the Most Good” in the real world, face-to-face with those in need?

Busy Saturday? Let’s Make a Difference!

Are you free on Saturday? Let’s roll up our sleeves!

October 22 is “Make a Difference Day”, the nation’s largest day of volunteering. For over 20 years, USA Weekend Magazine and HandsOn Network have rallied millions on this day of action to volunteer in their communities. Whether large or small, the goal of the event is to encourage people, organizations and businesses to take part in community projects that improve the lives of others.

You can search for pre-planned projects in your area by clicking here.

Feeling entrepreneurial? You can start your own project too!

Take a look around – what needs to be done in your community? Perhaps you could make a point to clean up litter that you see throughout your day. Who cleans your church on a regular basis? I know I take those people for granted. Your efforts can be as simple as offering to rake leaves for your elderly neighbors. Just asking is the best way to get started!

Get inspired and learn about ways others are volunteering on Saturday by visiting the official “Make a Difference Day” Facebook page.

And if you’re still short on ideas, consider reaching out to your local Salvation Army. With the holiday season approaching, there is most likely a need for volunteers in Salvation Army feeding kitchens or Red Kettle bell ringing program.

No matter how you decide to make a difference this Saturday, you’re still helping The Salvation Army fulfill its mission of “Doing the Most Good”.

Thank You for your good works!!

A Bounce is Worth a Thousand Smiles

We got such a kick out of this picture we just had to share! This gigantic kettle bouncer showed up at the Wayne-Westland Salvation Army Corp’s Annual Summer Block Party on August 27. In addition to bouncers, the event included live entertainment from Christian artists, carnival games and fair food. The best part of the day? The local police department donated 30 bicycles to be given to local residents. Read more here.

The event was also a great opportunity to encourage volunteerism and to showcase what The Salvation Army does each year to help down-trodden communities and individuals in need.

Are you looking for ways to help your community? The Salvation Army is always in need of extra hands! To find volunteer opportunities or to find more information about helping your local Salvation Army, please visit our website by Clicking Here.

To learn more about The Salvation Army, please visit our website.

It’s Always Sunny Here Thanks to Walmart Volunteers

The Salvation Army Community Center in West Philadelphia is getting a much needed makeover, thanks to an all hands on deck volunteer effort by Walmart.

The project is part of the Walmart Foundation’s 5-year, $2 billion commitment to fight hunger in the U.S. with food donations, $250 million in grants at the national and local levels, and collaboration with government and non-profit organizations to reach more families in need.

300 Philadelphia-area Walmart volunteers are working this week to complete the renovation, which includes cleaning, painting, installation of new fixtures, artwork and shelving, and food and clothing donations. The volunteers are specifically focusing on updating the community center’s public spaces and food service/emergency response areas.

The Salvation Army is incredibly grateful for this support that will benefit individuals and families in need!

Visit The Salvation Army Philadelphia’s Facebook page (Salvation Army Philadelphia) and Twitter feed (@SalArmyPhilly) for project updates, and find more photos updated daily at Walmart Philadelphia’s page.

Here’s a Chance to Help Feed Your Neighbors in Need

This month, The Salvation Army in Portland is partnering with Feed the Children’s Americans Feeding Americans project, and we need your help to make sure 1,600 families get the food they need.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 4 semi-trucks full of food boxes, hygiene and household products will roll into Portland, Oregon, where Salvation Army staff and over 100 volunteers will hand out one of each type of box to the city’s less-fortunate families.

We’re looking for volunteers to help make this happen. If you live in the area and would like to join The Salvation Army in “doing the most good,” then click here to learn how to sign up.

If you’re a family in need, you can also click here to visit The Salvation Army Cascade Division’s website and learn about how to qualify for food assistance.

This distribution is the latest stop on Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 100,000 families across the country in cities that have been affected by the nation’s economic downturn. The Salvation Army is grateful to be a part of this effort.

The Salvation Army named “Best Place to Volunteer” in SF Magazine Poll

Congratulations are in order for The Salvation Army of San Francisco! They received top-honors in the 2011 San Francisco Magazine Best of the Bay Area readers’ poll, being voted as “Best Volunteer Action” and “Best Do-Gooder Action” according to the 10,000 ballots that were cast in all categories. This honor comes after a focused effort to revamp The Salvation Army’s volunteer program in San Francisco.

Jaime Smith, Volunteer Coordinator for The Salvation Army in San Francisco, came on staff two years ago and took up the challenge to rebuild a fledgling volunteer program.

“My biggest focus was to get the word out,” said Smith. “The public needed to know that we’re here, 365 days a year, and volunteering isn’t limited to just bell ringing and thrift store work, but that The Salvation Army has variety volunteer opportunities for just about everyone.”

In the last two years, The Salvation Army has successfully built volunteer partnerships with a educational institutions and alumni chapters, churches, non-profits, and companies. And of course, The Salvation Army offers volunteer openings for individuals as well.

Tens-of-thousands of people volunteer to help The Salvation Army’s Golden State Division (stretching from San Francisco to Bakersfield, California) each year. Volunteer participation not only occurs during the holidays, it happens year-round, as tutors for after-school programs, teachers for classes, visitors to homebound seniors, and more. The opportunities are limitless.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army in the San Francisco area can sign-up here, or more information about national opportunities are available here.

Read The Salvation Army’s press release here, and find the full results of the 2011 Best of the Bay Area poll at San Francisco Magazine’s website.

TODAY: Salvation Army of Omaha to Turn Sandbags into Moneybags

Tom Becka of KFAB will broadcast his 4-7pm (CST) radio show live from Loft 610 in Midtown Crossing on Monday (June 27) as a fundraiser for Salvation Army flood relief. The restaurant is located at 220 S. 31st Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.

The public is invited to stop by and help fill sandbags with donations for The Salvation Army’s work to help flood victims in the metro Omaha/Council Bluffs area or to listen to KFAB for details on how to donate. The goal is to fill 200 sandbags or “moneybags” with money that day. Of every dollar donated to the fund, 100% goes to the flood relief operation.

Becka’s live on-location show will feature calls from listeners as well as interviews with Salvation Army emergency disaster services representatives and Divisional Commander Major Paul Smith.

“The Salvation Army is often the last to leave the scene of a disaster and becomes involved in long-term recovery even after the threat is past,” said Smith.

Salvation Army Red Kettles Not Just for the Holidays

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles, usually associated with bell ringing and the holidays, are making their summer debut at more than 140 sites in Omaha and surrounding communities (including Bellevue, Carter Lake, Elkhorn, LaVista, Papillion and Ralston).

Among the many places where the countertop red kettles can be found are all locations for Hy-Vee, American National Bank, Blimpie’s, Fantasy’s, Little King, Security National Bank, Starbuck’s, Wheatfield’s and Cubby’s in the Old Market. For more locations where you can donate, go online to www.givesalvationarmy.org. Donations to the kettles will be used 100 percent for flood relief in Omaha‘s metro area.

Cleanup Kits Needed
Hy-Vee has joined with Action News 3, Journal Broadcast Radio and The Salvation Army in an on-going campaign to provide clean-up kit supplies to flood victims. The public is invited to donate new supplies for the kits. Supplies needed include buckets, rubber gloves, disinfectant, brushes, brooms, mops, bottled water and safety goggles.

Donations may be dropped off at any Omaha Fire Station, Action News 3, 10714 Mockingbird Drive; Journal Broadcast Radio, 5030 N 72 Street; or The Salvation Army, 3612 Cuming Street.

The kits are being given to flood victims by The Salvation Army for businesses and homes in Omaha’s metro area.

Volunteers Needed for Mobile Feeding Units
The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center has been active since Memorial Day deploying mobile feeding units to feed and hydrate emergency workers who are monitoring flood activities along the Missouri River daily. Since May 30, more than 21,000 people have been served.

Volunteers are needed. If you would like to help with the mobile feeding unit, contact Ginger Noel at the Kroc Center, 402.905.3519 or ginger_noel@usc.salvationarmy.org. For all other volunteer opportunities, contact Kay Weinstein at 402.898.6000 or kay_weinstein@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Monetary donations:
To donate to The Salvation Army’s flood response in South Dakota, Iowa or Nebraska visit givesalvationarmy.org, call 800-SAL-ARMY or mail a check to The Salvation Army, 3612 Cuming Street, Omaha NE 68131. Be sure to designate your donation to “Flood Relief.”

Donations of used Household Goods and Clothing:
Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently-used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated now will be sent to the disaster area. In time of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.