In Kiev City, Salvationists and officers are distributing warm clothing and socks to the homeless in the shelters. Hot tea and shelter information is being distributed to those exposed in subways and on the street. Thanks to collections in the months of December and January, thousands of pieces of warm clothing have been distributed to the homeless, very well saving the lives of many homeless individuals.

The Yalta corps, along with serving hot tea to the homeless, successfully saved a mother and newborn child from the frigid temperatures and helped her to find shelter. The mother came to The Salvation Army in the last week of her pregnancy. She was helped with food, essential baby items and clothing, as well as helped to the hospital for the birth of her baby.

In Kharkov, The Salvation Army is serving hot meals to those in need. Meanwhile, in Lviv, clothing has been distributed to 39 homeless individuals and 41 meals have been served.

In Simferopol, four homeless individuals who came to The Salvation Army for help were taken to the hospital for treatment from the cold. The Salvation Army also helped several individuals and families to get/keep heating in their homes. Additionally, The Salvation Army is partnering with the local city council in providing sheltering and hot tea for homeless.

The best ways to help the situation in the Ukraine now are to call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org, or checks may be mailed to: The Salvation Army World Services Office, International Relief Fund, P.O. Box 418558, Boston, MA 02241-8558 with designation “Ukraine Winter Relief.”

For updates from the Ukraine, please check the national website or visit their Facebook page.

More than 1500 years later William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ.  He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.  Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people.  His followers became known as soldiers for Christ or more commonly, Salvationists. Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world.

These two men could have lived easy, unremarkable lives without being ridiculed for their convictions.  Instead they chose to step outside the status quo, to help those whom society had labeled outcasts, and fight for the souls of men and women.  Because of St. Valentine’s decision to act with compassion and faith, the world celebrates a day of love and giving.  Because William Booth decided to serve rather than observe, The Salvation Army is able to serve millions of people in need in over 108 nations worldwide.  This Valentine’s Day take a hint from these unconventional individuals and do something that benefits your community.  Instead of just giving a gift to your “Valentine,” take a food basket to a neighbor who is struggling, donate to a local charity, find the time to visit a retirement home or volunteer at a food bank in your area.  There are plenty of ways to be Valentines and Booths in your community.  Visit www.myVolunteerPage.com for more ideas on how you can serve rather than observe this Valentine’s Day.

A state of national disaster was declared in the urban areas of Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka and Rakiraki. Flash flood warnings remain in place for low-lying areas, including Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Work has begun to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases by removing food items from more than 200 shops.

The Fijian president visited an evacuation center at The Salvation Army’s Nadi Corps (church), donating much-needed supplies to Salvationists who were providing meals and shelter for 35 people. With the town’s water supply cut off, the recently installed water tank at the corps proved particularly valuable in supplying clean water.

The hall and officers’ quarters in Ba were flooded to the lower levels of the buildings, and an engineering assessment is underway. Despite having their home flooded, the corps officers were able to shelter and support 26 people in the house’s upper level. Many of the people who attend Ba Corps are farmers, and most of their crops were washed away. It is estimated that more than half of the area’s crops and livestock have been damaged.

It is a similar story for those attending Saweni Corps, with many farmers losing crops and livelihood. They now face the hardship that comes with trying to replant crops.

The new school year was due to start in Fiji the week of the flood. As a result of the disaster, schools in the western district have been closed. Families have received assistance from The Salvation Army through the provision of school fees and replacement stationery supplies.

Divisional Commander Major Iliesa Cola says: ‘We thank God for the [Salvation Army] officers and soldiers … who have been ministering God’s love to those affected by the floods. May God continue to pour out his strength and wisdom upon them.’

The best ways to help the situation in Fiji now are to call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org, or checks may be mailed to: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Fiji Flood Relief.”

Purchase tickets now by following these 3 easy steps:

1. Log on to www.griffinshockey.com/promocode
2. Enter password: SA
3. Select your seats and make your purchase

Or call Ashley Binning at:
616.774.4585  ext 3020
to purchase tickets over the phone.

Saturday February 18th
Peoria Rivermen
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Saturday March 3rd
Oklahoma City Barons
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Please share this opportunity with all of your friends, colleagues, family and groups! Thank you for your support – enjoy the game!

The holiday season was a good reminder that we’re all in this together.

Nationally, The Salvation Army will help approximately 30 million Americans in 2012!

Through the collective support of individuals, businesses and partners during our 120^th annual Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army now has the financial means to help millions of struggling Americans in the coming year. You donated online and in our kettles, adopted angels, volunteered your time, and you encouraged us through prayer.

Our work is simply not possible without the faithful hands and generous donations of so many supporters.

All of this work is possible because of you! Together, we continue “Doing the Most Good“ for those in the most need. We are unbelievably grateful for your support during this past Christmas season which allows us to help so many. You are truly a blessing to us and to those in need. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

First, we are blessed by the overwhelming generosity of our donors, volunteers and friends who have freely given of their time, talents and resources in support of our efforts to serve the needs of those in our community who would otherwise go without. We will always strive to fulfill our mission of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need without discrimination – a sacred trust and one we take very seriously, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.
Second, we are blessed and humbled by the opportunity to serve our neighbors in need – right here in our community. The Salvation Army is privileged to be on the front lines meeting individuals at their point of deepest need with a wide variety of programs and services designed to minister to the mind, body and soul.

May you and yours experience the joy of the true meaning of Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas and may God bless!

When the kettles were finally counted and tallied Friday afternoon, we were thrilled that we had exceeded our goal (by $73.03) of raising $10,000 in 32 hours. Meeting our goal allowed The Salvation Army to qualify for the $10,000 anomymous challenge donation made earlier last week. Many thanks to the numerous volunteers, donors, our community sponsors (Townsquare Media, VanAndel Arena and The B.O.B.), local media and the dedicated bellringers who braved the cold and rain to help us make the 32 Hour Bell Ringing Marathon a success!

Thank you Grand Rapids!

UPDATE 10:18 12-16-11

At 2:20 am early this morning, people gathered for the smart-phone bell ringing flash mob as proposed at Twelve162Twenty.com. Free t-shirts pizza and goodie bags were given out to the surprise bell ringers. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

At 2:20 am early Friday morning, a special event flash mob is planned. More details are available at Twelve162Twenty.com.

The Salvation Army will kick-off the 32 Hour Bell Ringing Event this Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. in front of Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. The event will run throughout the night and morning hours and will conclude Friday at 2:00 p.m. A number of volunteers will ring for a two-hour shift for the entire 32 hour time period. The event demonstrates and reinforces The Salvation Army’s commitment to be available 24/7 to serve the needs of the underserved.

Join The Salvation Army at 2:20 a.m. on December 16 to ring a bell and change a life. For more information and to download a Bell Ringer app for your smart phone go to http://twelve162twenty.com

Monetary donations will be used to support our neighbors in need right here in Grand Rapids with food, toys, winter garments and special assistance during the Christmas season.  Funds will also be used throughout the coming year to provide vital human services to the homeless and those facing eviction, assistance with utility and other critical expenses, care and support for young teen parents, rehabilitation for those struggling with addictions, recreational and character building programs for youth and adults along with a variety of programs offered by The Salvation Army every day.

]]> http://www.sawmni.org/32-hour-bell-ringing/feed/ 0 http://www.sawmni.org/how-you-can-help-this-christmas-support-the-red-kettle-campaign/ http://www.sawmni.org/how-you-can-help-this-christmas-support-the-red-kettle-campaign/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:57:32 +0000 Admin http://www.sawmni.org/?p=2160 ...Read More]]> The Salvation Army’s red kettles have become a Christmas tradition in nearly every part of the world, but the idea for the little collection pots was born over a century ago – from prayer and desperation. Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee began the tradition of Christmas kettles in San Francisco in December of 1891 as a way to finance free Christmas dinners for the poor in his community.

This year, the Kent County Red Kettle Christmas Campaign goal is $1.6 million. Although The Salvation Army is highly visible at Christmas, your generous donations will be used to support critical programs and services year-around.

You can support the Red Kettle Campaign in a way that is most convenient for you.

On the corner: Simply place your cash or check in the kettle where you hear the familiar ring of The Salvation Army kettle bell.

Online: It has never been easier or more secure to donate online. Simply click here to donate with a major credit card. Or, set-up an online red kettle and invite friends, family and co-workers to join in the fun. For a look at how you can quickly and easily set-up your own red kettle, click here. Or, check out this easy how-to video.

On the phone: Simply call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and a helpful operator will assist you with your donation.

On the (smart) phone: Text the word GIVE to 80888*

*A one‐time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and Data Rates may Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions, that you are 18 yrs or older, or have parental permission, and have authorization from the account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.

Monetary donations can be made in a number of ways:

To give a gift in Honor or Memory of a loved one, simply print this form and mail it to 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3849.

Thank you for helping children throughout West Michigan experience a happier Christmas Season by donating a gift to the Angel Tree Campaign. You can donate to Angel Tree in 5 Easy Steps!

1. Find a participating Angel Tree location here.
2. Choose a tag from their Angel Tree
3. Purchase an appropriate gift
4. Add a Holiday message in the space provided
5. Return unwrapped gift to any of the participating Angel tree Locations in West Michigan

Monetary donations can also be used to support our Angel Tree campaign. You can donate to The Salvation Army online here.

You can also mail your donation to your local Salvation Army, and indicate “Angel Tree” on your check memo line. Find your local Salvation Army address here. (Please be sure to select your nearest Corps location, and not a thrift store location).