One way the Salvation Army helps those in need is by helping them to acquire new clothes. It recently did this for victims of an apartment complex fire in San Bernardino. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) As 26 families begin to rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their homes, the Salvation Army is there to help.
The fire, in the Garden Breeze Apartments near Mill Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino, broke out in the wee hours of the morning Feb. 20. It caused $1.3 million damage, gutting 26 apartments.
Since then, many of those families have lived in motels, paid for by the American Red Cross and the City of San Bernardino. Other relief organizations such as the Salvation Army are also helping. Many of the displaced tenants lost nearly everything they owned in the fire, and do not have renter’s insurance to replace the items.
“We have given clothing to about 15 families that were displaced by the fire,” said Corps Officer Capt. Stephen Ball. “We are waiting to see if they will need additional help when, over the next few weeks, they transition from local area motels where they were given temporary lodging.”
“We can help them obtain furniture for their new homes,” Capt. Ball continued. “We have also offered to make space available at our Hospitality House Emergency Family Shelter to further assist families who need additional time to secure a new home.”
For help or more information call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
Pine Summit Retreat in Big Bear Lake is in a beautiful forest location, not far from San Bernardino, but far enough that many of the youth served by the Salvation Army have never been there. They will have an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Pine Summit when they attend the Salvation Army’s division retreat April 8-10, but first will raise money for the retreat by holding a car wash on Saturday, March 26 at the Corps Headquarters.
Like these recent guests to Pine Summit Retreat in Big Bear Lake, youth from the Salvation Army will enjoy a time of fellowship when they attend their division retreat there from April 8-10. The Salvation Army youth will hold a car wash on Saturday, March 26 at the Corps Headquarters, 746 W. Fifth St. ,to raise money for the retreat.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps youth will hold a car wash Saturday, March 26 at the Corps Headquarters, 746 W. Fifth St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Money raised from the car wash will help sponsor youth attending a spring retreat at Pine Summit in Big Bear Lake, April 8-10.
“We will send 15 to 20 youth to our division’s retreat,” said Kelly Raabe, the Young People’s Sergeant Major for the San Bernardino Corps.
“The retreat is an opportunity for our young people ages 14 and up, to get out of San Bernardino and to visit the beautiful mountains that they have seen their whole lives from afar but never had the chance to experience first hand,” Raabe said. “We need help to send these kids on an adventure of a lifetime.”
Free time activities at the retreat include a rock wall, ropes course, bungee run, paintball and tubing if there is snow.
The Salvation Army will accept a donation of any amount for the car wash.
Raabe hopes the car wash will raise about $2,000, which will pay for most of the cost of the retreat. Each Corps must pay $125 per young person attending.
“We are asking our youth to pay $20 each,” she said. “Some of them don’t even have that.”
The Salvation Army also will accept mail-in donations from those who can’t take part in the car wash, but still want to help send youth to the retreat. To make a contribution, mail donations to the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps Headquarters, 746. W Fifth St., San Bernardino, CA 92410.
If the car wash fundraiser and other donations specifically for the retreat aren’t enough to pay the expense of each youth who wishes to attend, the Salvation Army will use its general fund to cover the difference. However, with larger fundraisers held in 2010 barely meeting their goals, the Salvation Army’s general fund budget is tight this year.
For more information about how you can help, call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
Basic hygiene supplies, socks and other items are appreciated as donations to the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army, which gives them to guests of its Hospitality House. Many of these guests lack the resources to provide for their own most basic needs.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House emergency family shelter has an ongoing need for personal items to help its residents.
“Our Hospitality House residents are facing especially hard times, so we give them not just shelter and food, but also other necessities that most people take for granted,” said Corps Officer Nancy Ball. “Since the residents have an ongoing need for these items, it is a great help to us when we receive them as donations instead of having to purchase them.”
The needed personal items are:
Diapers (all sizes)
Baby wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Combs and brushes
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dental floss
Body/hand soap
Hand lotion
Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
Shampoo
Razors
Blankets
Towels
Wash cloths
Socks (men’s women’s and children’s)
To make a donation, call the San Bernardino Corps Headquarters at (909) 888-1336 or drop off the donations at the Headquarters building, 746 W. Fifth Street, San Bernardino. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
Highland resident Adrian Ayaly, age 2 in December 2010, helped the Salvation Army provide for others' needs by donating to the Red Kettle campaign, with encouragement from Lynda Graham (holding her 2 month old daughter Zoey), his mother Pam Spaun, and Bell Ringer Joy Tornow.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Two major fund raising efforts at the end of 2010 by the Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino brought in about $160,000, but that’s only the bare minimum it needs to keep services at their current level.
“We met our goal this year,” said Capt. Stephen Ball. “But the goals are set as low as possible. Just because we achieved them doesn’t mean we won’t have additional expenses that will need to be covered as well!”
“There are also expenses we haven’t put into the budget,” Capt. Ball said. “For instance, the roof of our Corps headquarters building needs about $30,000 to $40,000 in repairs, but we will have to defer those repairs until our donations are substantially more than what we received in 2010.”
The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps receives most of its annual budget through its Fall Fundraiser and its Red Kettle programs. The donations in 2010 were approximately $50,000 from the Fall Fundraiser, and approximately $110,000 from the Red Kettles.
In October, at the Fall Fundraiser Lunch, the Salvation Army had only raised $40,000. This would have required the Salvation Army to cut its budget by $10,000, but Sempra Energy Foundation supplied a grant to make up the shortfall.
In the Red Kettle campaign, people ring Christmas bells, encouraging donations of any size to plastic red kettles with the Salvation Army logo, placed in front of variety and grocery stores.
This campaign started Nov. 15 in San Bernardino and the other communities served by the San Bernardino Corps (Highland, Rialto, Colton and Bloomington) and continued daily, except on Sundays, until Christmas Eve.
This year, the Red Kettle campaign was hampered by a week of rainy weather from Dec. 17-23, which is typically when it receives the most donations. Although donations had gone well prior to Dec. 17, the total given was below the Corps $75,000 goal until Christmas Eve.
“We started before Thanksgiving,” Capt. Ball said. “Last year with Christmas falling on a Saturday, that also gave us more days in the Thanksgiving to Christmas season, which is when we receive most of our Red Kettle donations.”
“Variations in the length of the Christmas season, or more bad weather just before Christmas could cause us to fall below goal in future years,” Capt. Ball said.
Also affecting the Red Kettle donations is the size of the volunteer force the Salvation Army recruits each year to supervise red kettles in San Bernardino, Highland, Colton, Rialto and Bloomington.
If the Salvation Army can’t find enough volunteers, it hires Bell Ringers. This year, the payroll costs for the non-volunteer Bell Ringer force cost about $35,000, bringing the total profit from that fundraiser to about $75,000.
The rest of the income the San Bernardino Corps receives is from various types of smaller donations made throughout the year. This does not include any proceeds from Salvation Army thrift stores, as they are used entirely to fund a different Salvation Army program, the residential drug treatment centers run by the Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Through these donations only, the Salvation Army provides a variety of ministries, including its emergency family shelter and two daily meals for up to 80 people at once, a residential and educational program called Path to Prosperity serving 27 men who have successfully completed a drug treatment program and are now reintegrating into society, dinners six days a week for up to 300 people, and several youth programs benefiting more than 100 children and teens.
To make sure the Salvation Army doesn’t fall short throughout the year, it encourages donations through other means. One way is to simply visit the Salvation Army Corps headquarters at 746 W. Fifth St., San Bernardino and make a donation there.
“We can accept cash or checks at our Headquarters building,” Capt. Ball said. “Any size donation is welcomed.”
For more information about how to make a one-time donation to the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army, call (909) 888-1336.
Two other ways to donate to the Salvation Army are 21st-century innovations, online giving and text-to-give.
Online donation is possible at any time by going to www.salvationarmy.org and clicking on the Red Kettle icon that is always on the left side of the international organization’s home page. This method allows you to specify a certain amount, and specify the Salvation Army location that you would like to give your donation.
Text-to-give, introduced in November of 2010, allows anyone to make a $10 donation via cell phone by texting the word “give” to 85944. These donations appear on the cell phone bill, and are sent to Salvation Army programs in the same area code as the donor’s cell phone.
The Salvation Army also has methods to accept major donations of cash, corporate stock, securities or real estate throughout the year, and to designate the Salvation Army as a beneficiary on a will or in another planned gift. In either case, these can be designated for a specific local branch of the Salvation Army.
For more information about major donations, contact Nancy Tortorelli at (760) 324-4748 or email Nancy.Tortorelli@usw.SalvationArmy.org. For more information about designating the Salvation Army as a beneficiary in a planned gift, call Greg Mattox at (760) 644-0561 or (888) 861-7125, or email Greg.Maddox@usw.SalvationArmy.org. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help call (909) 888-1336.
Catholic Healthcare West, owner of St. Bernardine Medical Center and San Bernardino Community Hospital, recently presented the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps a $17,000 grant to help with the health care needs of men enrolled in the Salvation Army’s Path to Prosperity program. Presenting the check on behalf of Catholic Health Care West were Joanne Claytor, center, a licensed clinical social worker at St. Bernardine’s and Linda McDonald, vice president of San Bernardino Medical Center’s Mission Integration program, which serves as a liaison between the hospital and outside community benefit programs such as Path to Prosperity. Accepting the check on behalf of the Salvation Army were Capt. Stephen Ball, corps officer for the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps, John Fletcher, director of Path to Prosperity, and Nancy Tortorelli, major gifts coordinator for the Salvation Army Corps in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) A $17,000 grant awarded recently to the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps will help men who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction start their new lives in better health.
The Salvation Army’s Path to Prosperity program will use the grant to provide additional health care services to the men in its care, including dental exams and treatment, and physical health screenings. It received the grant from Catholic Healthcare West, the owner of both St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.
Path to Prosperity is a residential and educational program allowing 27 men at a time who have completed a substance abuse recovery program to transition back into society. It has served more than 200 men so far.
“There are many health issues faced by men recovering from drug addiction,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, Corps Officer of the San Bernardino Salvation Army. “Often they have dental problems, because the drugs have damaged their teeth, or they are missing teeth and most of them have not seen a dentist in awhile. Dental problems also lead to many more serious health problems, such as not being able to digest food properly.”
The grant presented to the Salvation Army was one of 14 Inland Empire non-profit organizations to receive a grant from Catholic Healthcare West as part of the two hospitals’ combined Community Grants program.
“Times are tough for everyone, but they may be especially tough for these organizations, who serve people who don’t have many financial resources,” said Steve Barron, president of St. Bernardine Medical Center. “We appreciate the work they do, and are happy to help them.”
Men seeking help to overcome drug or alcohol addiction should call their local Adult Rehabilitation Centers at (909) 889-9605 in San Bernardino County or (951) 940-5790 in Riverside County. Women can learn about Adult Rehabilitation Centers for them by calling the center in Anaheim at (714) 758-0414, or the center in San Diego at (619) 239-4037. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call the San Bernardino Corps headquarters at (909) 888-1337.
Bear seems happy to be part of a great team of Salvation Army volunteers, along with Kathy Brown, Phillip Nash and Mike Hernandez. Hernandez is the dog’s caretaker, but Bear belongs to everyone at the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps and serves as source of comfort to guests of the Hospitality House emergency family shelter. Photo by Chris Sloan
Volunteers Kathy Brown, Phillip Nash, Mike Hernandez and mascot Bear are the faces guests of the San Bernardino Hospitality House will most likely become familiar with during their stay. The Salvation Army adopted Bear because, not unlike human guests, he decided he liked it at The Salvation Army. He hung out there for six months while shelter workers tried unsuccessfully to find his previous owner. Photo by Chris Sloan
Hospitality House volunteer Kathy Brown pets Bear, who is ready for a walk. Bear lives at, and serves as the official mascot of, the Salvation Army Hospitality House emergency family shelter in San Bernardino. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Like many he meets at the Salvation Army’s Hospitality House emergency family shelter, Bear previously called the streets of San Bernardino “home.”
Now this terrier mix makes the shelter feel more like home. Bear is a stray, taken in by the shelter’s live-in caretaker Mike Hernandez, after being officially adopted by the Salvation Army.
“The kids love him,” Hernandez said. “He is the shelter’s mascot and the perfect pet.”
Although Bear is gentle around the children, Hernandez said, he’s also a good watch dog, letting the shelter’s volunteers and staff know when someone comes to the door.
“Before we adopted him, he had been hanging around the shelter for about six months,” Hernandez said. “We don’t know where he came from.”
“He just wandered into the homeless shelter, not unlike many of the humans who have stayed there,” said Brian Cronin, treasurer of the Salvation Army advisory board and president of Animals R First (ARF), a non-profit organization that helps find homes for abandoned dogs and cats.
For six months before The Salvation Army adopted Bear, the Hospitality House workers asked everyone who lived nearby if they knew to whom the dog belonged. No one knew.
The Hospitality House staff told Cronin about Bear, because as the director of the San Bernardino County Animal Control Department, president of ARF, and genuine animal lover, they knew he could help finalize the adoption.
ARF paid for Bear’s neutering, vaccinations and grooming just before the adoption was made official.
“There are so many homeless animals living in the streets,” Cronin said. “This dog we knew would have a quality home by living at the Hospitality House. Besides, dogs can be a great comfort in times of distress, and guests of the Hospitality House often need that comfort. We felt it was a perfect match” About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY
For local help call (909) 888-1336.
The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino recently received a $10,000 grant from Sempra Energy Foundation, which brought the total for its annual Fall Fundraiser event over its goal of $50,000. The fund raising event and the recently concluded Bell Ringer campaign are the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ largest fundraisers of the year. Kristine Scott (second from right), Inland Empire community affairs director for Sempra-owned Southern California Gas Company, presented the check to Corps Officer Capt. Stephen Ball, advisory board members Carl Dameron (left) and advisory board President Tom Brickley (right). Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant from the Sempra Energy Foundation as part of its “Helping People In Need Initiative.”
“This initiative represents the Sempra Energy Foundation and the Sempra Energy family of companies continuing commitment to help families in need,” said Kristine Scott, public affairs manager for Sempra-owned Southern California Gas Company.
In addition to matching employee donations to selected non-profits that provide food, shelter, and other related assistance, Sempra identified key agencies such as The Salvation Army to receive funding.
“The Salvation Army plays a critical role in helping to meet the growing needs in our Southern California communities,” Scott said. “This grant is intended to recognize the important work The Salvation Army does in the local community.
“This was a very unexpected, yet pleasant surprise,” said Captain Stephen Ball, Salvation Army Corps officer. “With the down economy, we were faced with a shortfall from our annual fundraising efforts. This donation really helped us to make up the difference. These funds will go directly to support the operating cost for housing and feeding the homeless.” Helping People In Need Initiative:
Sempra Energy and the Sempra Foundation donated $850,000 in direct grants and matching funds in support of this initiative.
This donation and employee matching grant-program is about giving to the community at a time when many are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Sempra employees want to support causes that are helping families during these times.
As part of this initiative, the Sempra Energy Foundation awarded more than 100 grants to local agencies in the communities served by Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas and Electric, Sempra Energy utilities. These agencies represent and serve a wide range of needs in the local communities, but generally provide food, shelter, and other related needs.
The Sempra Energy Foundation is the 501(c)(3) private foundation of Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
Jason Hulsey, a Salvation Army volunteer, loads gift boxes onto a dolly so that he can give them to recipients. Photo by Chris Sloan
San Bernardino Salvation Army Corps Officer Capt. Nancy Ball and volunteer Tara Murphy give gift cards to a recipient of one of 600 holiday gift boxes distributed Tuesday, Dec. 21. Photo by Chris Sloan
A line of needy families awaits distribution of gift boxes by the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army provided 600 families with food and toys for their children in a distribution that took place Tuesday, Dec. 21 at First Christian Church of San Bernardino.
“This is the happiest day of the year for me,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, corps officer. “It means the hard work we have done over the past few months comes to an end with families being blessed. It also gives me an opportunity to share the Christmas story with them.”
Since the Salvation Army is as much a church as it is a humanitarian organization, the story of Jesus’ coming is what motivates all of its officers and volunteers to help others all year. However, from before Thanksgiving to Christmas, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps steps up its efforts with:
Christmas Sharing Trees, manned by Salvation Army volunteers most of the hours Inland Center Mall is open. These gave opportunities for mall shoppers to buy toys for the children in the 600 families in need.
“This is the only gift my daughter will be getting this Christmas,” said one recipient after she received her child’s gift on Tuesday.
A food drive to fill gift boxes handed out to these families. The boxes contain mixtures of pasta, rice, beans, canned fruits and vegetables and other non-perishable food items. A major donor this year was the Arrowhead District of the Boy Scouts of America, whose San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace and Highland troops worked with Salvation Army volunteers to collect 12,000 lbs. of food this year.
The Boy Scouts collected most of that food by requesting donations in front of area Stater Bros. stores in November. Stater Bros. itself also donated some of the food.
Bell Ringers, at multiple locations in San Bernardino, Colton, Highland, Grand Terrace and Rialto, who carried on the Salvation Army’s long-standing and international tradition of ringing silver bells in front of red kettles. This tradition started back in 1891 to raise money for a Christmas dinner; today in San Bernardino it helps pay for grocery store gift cards that are handed out with the food boxes given out Tuesday, as well as a major portion of the expenses associated with feeding 200 to 300 people daily, and sheltering as many as 100 of them each night. It is one of the Salvation Army’s chief means of raising money.
A Thanksgiving dinner that fed about 450 people this year, and a Christmas dinner that is expected to feed about 300. Both of these dinners rely mainly on donated food, but Bell Ringers’ contributions and other financial donations may also be used.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help call (909) 888-1336.
Photo caption: Arlene and Priscilla Delgado, ages 4 and 8, each used their savings to purchase Christmas toys for a less fortunate child through the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corp’s Giving Tree program at Inland Center Mall. Help the Salvation Army obtain more toys for children in need by going to the Giving Tree near the mall’s Food Court by Dec. 20. Photo by Kelly Silvestri-Raabe
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calf.) Arlene Delgado, age 4, and her sister, Priscilla, age 8, have some fantastic Christmas plans. They ‘re leaving a few days before the holiday to spend an entire month with their mom’s sister in Indiana.
The girls have also made sure two other children have a fantastic Christmas. They did so by purchasing gifts through the Salvation Army Giving Tree set up near the food court of Inland Center Mall. These gifts will go to children ages 0-12 whom the Salvation Army has identified as members of some of the neediest families in our area.
“When these girls brought their gifts to the Giving Tree, they wanted to make sure they would go to the children who had asked for them,” said Kelly Silvestri-Raabe, who was volunteering at the tree the night the girls went shopping. “It turned out they had emptied their piggy banks to buy these presents.”
“That’s what the spirit of Christmas is all about, “ Silvestri-Raabe added. “Two little girls gave all they had.”
Priscilla Delgado, who turns 9 on Dec. 27, had been saving her money all year, according to her mother Regina Delgado. Arlene had saved a smaller amount.
Meanwhile, the family was planning to give Priscilla one Christmas/birthday gift, a trip to Disneyland.
But, when their aunt invited the family to stay with them for the girls’ entire Christmas break, that was even more exciting. The trip to Disneyland would have cost even more money than staying with family in Indiana.
“We decided to use our Disneyland money to buy something for other people,” Regina Delgado said. “I encouraged my girls to do this, because our family believes it is more important to give than to receive. We will be spending our Christmas with family, and that is the best gift of all.”
The Giving Tree is a way used by Salvation Army corps worldwide to help less fortunate children receive at least one gift on their Christmas wish lists. From Thanksgiving until a few days before Christmas, trees are set up in local malls and other shopping areas.
Attached to branches of the tree are cards with names of children whose families simply cannot afford to buy gifts, as much as they would love to. Shoppers who want to take part by helping disadvantaged children simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree, read the child’s name and wish list, then head for the appropriate store for a little sharing of their own.
Shoppers don’t even have to stay in the mall where they found the Giving Tree. After obtaining the information for their gift tree recipients, the Delgado family purchased gifts at Target.
Others have taken advantage of a partnership the Salvation Army has formed with JCPenny for the Giving Tree program. Online shoppers can go to JCPenny.com/Angel and search for children (and in some places senior citizens) in any ZIP Code.
The website allows online shoppers to order a gift from Penney’s online catalog, and gives them the choice of dropping the gift off at their local Salvation Army’s collection center, or of having UPS ship it, at no charge, to that collection center.
It is not too late to be matched with a child either at Inland Center Mall or through JCPenny.com
Salvation Army volunteers make sure the presents are earmarked for the specific child.
To help, or for more information, call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvations Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
A crew of volunteers serves meals from the kitchen at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Dinner. About 125 volunteers served a free traditional Thanksgiving meal to about 250 guests. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Clarissa Ruiz, 14 and Vanessa Cordero, 21, volunteers with the Rock Church in San Bernardino, serve pumpkin pie to the Salvation Army’s guests at Thanksgiving dinner. Clarissa and Vanessa have both volunteered three years in a row. About 125 people volunteered this year, preparing and serving a free Thanksgiving dinner to 250 guests. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Benjamin Hartnell from the San Bernardino Crossroads Rotary, and Terry Bryan a Scout Master from Troop 110 from Rialto washed pots and pans for several hours during the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Dinner. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Sandy and Mike Rowles hand out cold drinks to guests at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner. The couple came from Fontana to volunteer. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Jeremy and Shannon Ellsworth and Eric and Stacy Bellinger, all from a Farmers’ Insurance office, relieved other exhausted volunteers at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army served a Thanksgiving dinner to about 250 people on Thursday, Nov. 25.
This annual Thanksgiving dinner is a community event involving more than 125 volunteers. Together they provide a traditional dinner of turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables and pie.
At one table a young family of five quietly enjoyed a full turkey and ham meal with all the trimmings. The father said that “he is working full time, but only makes enough money to pay for the rent; without the Salvation Army, there wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving meal for his family.”
Preparations for the meal start several days before Thanksgiving for kitchen volunteers.
On Thanksgiving Day, more volunteers arrive, and are assigned various jobs and tasks. Kitchen servers work in shifts while dining room crews taken on many responsibilities, such as greeting guests and serving them various courses of the meal.
Among this year’s volunteers were Press-Enterprise editor Maria DeVarenne and her family.
Volunteers Mike and Sandy Rowles went table to table with big pleasant similes, handing out cold drinks, showing their compassion and care. This was their first year volunteering at the Salvation Army.
Mike and Sandy’s children have grown up and are no longer living with them. With their children living out of state, they decided to do something different for Thanksgiving, so they drove from Fontana to help out.
Back in the kitchen, Benjamin Hartnell from the San Bernardino Crossroads Rotary, and Terry Bryan, a Scout Master with Troop 110 from Rialto willingly washed pots and pans non-stop for several hours.
Two hours into this Thanksgiving meal, two couples from a Farmers Insurance office came to relieve some of the exhausted volunteers. Jeremy and Shannon Ellsworth and Eric and Stacy Bellinger, decked out in their white aprons, took their turns serving the meal.
Volunteers like these are already gearing up to do the same thing all over again on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25. As was true at Thanksgiving, anyone who comes to 746 W. Fifth St between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. can enjoy a traditional holiday meal of turkey, ham, stuffing, vegetables and desert.
“Whatever people have on their heart to donate, we will serve,” said Hospitality House Director Roosevelt Carroll, who is coordinating the meal.
At the Salvation Army, it’s not just giving out a meal a few times a year. Corps Officers Stephen and Nancy Ball not only focus on people’s physical needs, but also tend to their spiritual needs every day.
The San Bernardino Salvation Army has been serving the community since 1887 and has fed, sheltered and otherwise helped thousands of people each year.
For help, or for more information, call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, please call (909) 888-1336.
