One of the projects Erica Velazquez worked on during her internship was to help design a logo for Body by Malaika. Photo by Chris Sloan
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Erica Velazquez interned at Dameron Communications while finishing her degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. She is schedule to graduate in March of 2011.
An internship is a temporary 10-week training period at a company within the student’s field of study. During this time a student is trained to be a professional, as well as taught the basics of their field. Some interns are even hired on completion of their internship.
“If we want to make sure young graphic artist professionals are properly trained, we need to help train them,” said Carl Dameron, creative director of Dameron Communications.
Prior to attending the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, Velazquez created paintings, textiles and photography. Her work was featured in art galleries in Pomona, Upland and Riverside since the age of 20.
She studied photography at Citrus Community College in Glendora California and it was here where Velazquez began working with the basic graphic design programs such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
In 2009 she worked for the Career Service Department at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire were she created graphic design layouts for all the departments at the college while attending classes at the institute.
“Frank Houlihan, graphic design instructor and internship class instructor, recommended me to apply at Dameron Communications for my internship,” said Velazquez.
It was there that Velazquez learned how to better interact with business professionals.
“I have learned how to work with others in an office environment, how to market to a target audience and how to collaborate with others to create the best product for a client.”
While working side by side with Thom Salisbury, Dameron Communications’ Senior Art Director, Velazquez learned new techniques in Illustrator and even learned how to you use Quark, a graphic design program she had not used prior to her intern.
One of Velazquez’s many projects was to create an identity for personal trainer Malaika Jacocks-Dameron. This included the logo as well as determining what message the trainer wanted to send to her target audience.
“I was honored to be able to create an identity for Malaika Jacocks-Dameron’s company Body by Malaika.”
Upon completing her degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, she wishes to continue her education and earn a degree in environmental design. Velazquez then plans to pursue a masters’ degree in fashion design with an emphasis in graphic design.
For more information go to DameronCommunications.com or call (909) 888-0017.
About Dameron Communications, LLC Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.
Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.
Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, The Press Enterprise, The Sun, The Daily Bulletin, The Daily News, The Daily Press and many more.
Inland Empire Job Corps culinary arts students Rene Ortiz, Courtland Akken, Vincent Flores, Jenavie Del Toro, Rory Simms, Calvin Poindexter and Pedro Castillo, joined Salvation Army Corps Officer Nancy Ball, Salvation Army volunteer Kathy Brown, Inland Empire Job Corps Learning Director Greg Trammel and Inland Empire Job Corps Executive Chef/Culinary Instructor Michael Geurds in packing boxes that will be used to fill holiday gift baskets for needy families. The students volunteered their help with sorting and packaging after dropping off 100 donated pumpkin pies to the Salvation Army for its recent Thanksgiving dinner.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Delivering pies to the Salvation Army is a holiday tradition for the Inland Empire Job Corps. Every year before Thanksgiving, they bring enough to feed at least 800 people.
This year, seven students from Job Corps culinary arts program went a step further.
After setting 100 pumpkin pies down in the Salvation Army Corps Headquarters kitchen, the students noticed Salvation Army volunteers and staff packing cans and other non-perishable food items into boxes in the community room. The Job Corps students rolled up the sleeves of their chef’s robes, and set to work helping to sort and pack.
“They took that on themselves,” said Chef Michael Geurds, instructor for the culinary arts program. “They saw a need and wanted to help. Our students are always helping others in the community.”
These boxes of food will create holiday baskets the Salvation Army plans to deliver to about 700 families a few days before Christmas.
“The Job Corps students are a great group of helpful young people, and we appreciate the effort and energy they put into helping us every year during the holiday season,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, Salvation Army Corps officer.
They have been providing community service to The Salvation Army for about a decade.
Last year, three students won a culinary competition and donated the $300 prize to the Salvation Army. The past two years, they donated to the Salvation Army and other organizations a collection of gingerbread homes they had created from scratch as a class project.
Inland Empire Job Corps’ service goes beyond donations. They also frequently help with the preparation and serving of up to 200 meals served at Headquarters throughout the year, and with the maintenance of the grounds of The Salvation Army’s buildings. 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.
To share Christmas joy with a deserving child, come to Inland Center Mall anytime between Nov. 26 and mid-December and select a tag indicating that child’s age, sex and gift preference. Or find and order a gift for a local child online at jcp.com/angel. Photo by Carl Dameron
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calf.) Local Salvation Army Corps and several businesses have joined forces to make this holiday season one the needy children of the Inland Empire will never forget.
In San Bernardino County, these programs, known as the Angel Giving Tree programs, revolve around actual Christmas trees. These trees will be set up in local malls the day after Thanksgiving to match shoppers with the hundreds of children in each location who are relying on the Salvation Army this year to bring a Merry Christmas.
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.
“Why not start a tradition with your family and select a gift for a needy child together,” Capt. Nancy Ball said.
San Bernardino Corps puts its Giving Tree in the Inland Center Mall (500 Inland Center Drive, San Bernardino) near the food court.
“I always find it very heartwarming and satisfying to be able to purchase a gift for one of these children, based on his or her wishes,” said Tom Brickley, who is the president of the Salvation Army’s advisory board, and has participated in the Giving Tree for a number of years. “For some, it may be the only gift they get all year.”
“It is a neat way to give the child the gift he or she wants,” Brickley said. “Some want bicycles, some pants, others a specific toy.”
The Ontario Corps puts trees in Ontario Mills Mall (1 Mills Circle, Ontario) in front of JC Penney’s and Montclair Plaza (5060 E. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair) inside the Macy’s store. The Redlands Corps puts a tree at Wal-Mart (2050 W. Redlands Blvd., Redlands).
However, not all corps have actual trees. The Riverside Corps asks shoppers to call (951) 784-4490, ext. 114 to obtain the name of and requests of more than 2,000 children on its “Angel” list.
Since online shopping is also a popular way to buy Christmas gifts, JC Penney’s has a partnership with the Salvation Army allowing shoppers to go to jcp.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 for them from JC 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.
The Salvation Army also is looking for other businesses in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, who would like to have a tree at their place of business for employees and/or customers.
To host an Angel Tree in San Bernardino, Colton, Grand Terrace, Rialto, Bloomington or Highland, call (909) 888-1336. Elsewhere, call 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
“This is a great way for business owners and managers to help the community this Christmas,” Capt. Ball said.
“Soccer balls, dolls and clothes are just a few items on each child’s wish list,” Capt. Ball said. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list.”
Salvation Army volunteers make sure the presents are earmarked for the specific child. 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 Dameron family (Shiane, Malaika, Carl and Shaila) volunteer each year for an entire day as Salvation Army bellringers. If your family, organization or business can supply enough people to ring bells at one of the San Bernardino Corps Red Kettle locations for an entire day, please volunteer by calling (909) 888-1336.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) –The Salvation Army is gearing up for its Christmas tradition of ringing silver bells by shiny red kettles, so that passersby have a trustworthy opportunity to help those less fortunate.
“The Red Kettle fund raiser is our biggest fund raiser of the year,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, corps officer of The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps. “We use the funds received to support our programs year-round to provide food, shelter and youth programs to our community.
The Salvation Army will continue ringing bells, Monday through Saturday until Christmas Eve. It seeks volunteer bell-ringers so that it can staff even more locations, more of the time.
For the past several years, Salvation Army of San Bernardino board member, and Dameron Communications founder and creative director, Carl Dameron volunteered with his wife Malaika and two daughters, Shaila and Shiane. The entire Salvation Army of San Bernardino board also volunteered their time to ring silver bells and ask the community for help.
“We receive great satisfaction knowing we had made a difference in our community,” Carl Dameron said. “We also enjoyed spending the time together as a family and teaching our children about the responsibility we have to care for those in our community who are less fortunate.”
Capt. Ball encourages families, groups of friends, community organizations, churches and Sunday school classes to sign up as a “Bell Ringer for A Day.” The Salvation Army especially seeks groups large enough to work in shifts throughout am eight-hour day, such as Rotary, Lions or Elks clubs, youth groups, church groups and large employers.
Each Thanksgiving the Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino serves about 500 people holiday meals. It serves almost as many meals on a daily basis to those who are homeless and hungry.
Feeding the hungry is just one of the ways money donated to The Salvation Army helps. Salvation Army Corps offers lodging for homeless or evicted families; clothing and furniture for burnout victims, and assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in disasters such as fires.
In San Bernardino, The Hospitality House provides temporary emergency shelter and support in rebuilding the lives of thousands of homeless families.
To volunteer as a bellringer in San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace, Bloomington or Highland, call (909) 888-1336.
In addition, one may donate to The Salvation Army online, through the website www.salvationarmyusa.org. Donors may specify to which branch of The Salvation Army the money should be sent. How the Bell Ringer campaign began:
Capt. Joseph McFee, serving with the San Francisco Salvation Army Corps back in 1891, wanted to serve Christmas dinner to the poor in his neighborhood. But he didn’t have money to do so.
Mc Fee remembered as a sailor in Liverpool, England, seeing people on the docks throw money into a large kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” to help the poor. He decided this might work in California, too.
He set up a kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing, which operated a ferry that was, in those days, the only way across San Francisco Bay. He put a sign on the kettle saying, “Keep the Pot Boiling” and raised enough money to serve the Christmas dinner.
His idea spread quickly, and by 1897 Salvation Army Corps nationwide were collecting money in kettles to serve the needy in their communities. Among The Salvation Army Corps collecting money this way before the turn of the 20th Century was The Salvation Army of San Bernardino, which formed in 1887. 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. http://news.yahoo.com/video/losangelescbs2-15750780#video=23100335
The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps will serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, and needs people to donate food and time. As these youth have discovered, it is a great opportunity for a family or an organization to work together for the good of their community. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) This holiday season the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army plans a Thanksgiving dinner to help the needy families of the Inland Empire.
The San Bernardino Corps will serve dinner from 11 am to 1 pm on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25, at its Corps headquarters building, 746 W. Fifth St.
“We’re serving a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables and pie,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, Corps officer.
California State Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod has donated some of the turkeys. The Inland Empire Job Corps is continuing its annual tradition of donating approximately 300 pies for the event.
“We still need lots of turkeys and lots of side dishes,” said Roosevelt Carroll, director of the Hospitality House and coordinator of the Thanksgiving dinner. “Whatever people have on their heart to donate, we need.”
The Salvation Army encourages donation of turkey or ham, side dishes and other food by calling (909) 888-1336 to make arrangements in advance, or to volunteer to help serve the Thanksgiving dinner.
The annual Thanksgiving meal brings in hundreds of families and individuals who do not have the means to provide themselves a Thanksgiving dinner. People come from all parts of the Inland Empire for the celebrations. The San Bernardino event has served close to 500.
The hungry families are joined by dozens of volunteers for the day who help prepare the food and serve meals to the families. An estimated 125 volunteers helped the San Bernardino Corps in 2009.
“Thanksgiving should be a special day for everyone, not just for those who can afford it,” says Capt. Ball.
Other Salvation Army Corps in the Inland Empire are also planning Thanksgiving dinners, although many of these will take place the day before Thanksgiving. To receive information about the dates and times for the dinners at other corps, or to volunteer please call 1800-SAL-ARMY or 1-800-725-2769. 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 <http://www.salvationarmyusa.org> or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. For local help, please call (909) 888-1336.
Aaron Mandel of Meta Housing, second from left receives a certificate of appreciation presented to him by Senior Field Representative Sheila Futch on behalf of Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter as Mayor Pat Morris, and Ward 6 Council Member Rikke Van Johnson watch.
Left to right): Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. turn over the first shovels of dirt at a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(Left to right): Pastor Ray Turner, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, Emil Marzullo-Executive Director of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. dig in to start construction of a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan
8992: (left to right): Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Pastor Ray Turner, Milo Victoria-CEO/General Manager, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Mayor Pat Morris, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, John Huskey- Meta Housing at the Magnolia at Highland groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Residents in the City of San Bernardino will soon have affordable luxury living available on the west side of town, for individuals age 62 and older, courtesy of The Magnolia at Highland Project.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, City of San Bernardino Mayor, Patrick Morris, San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, along with a host of city officials and dignitaries, came together at a recent ground breaking for this luxury senior citizen housing complex.
“This day signals the beginning of a transformation of what was once a blighted automotive site, into a high quality residential community for one of our most treasured resources – our seniors,” said Mayor Morris.
Located on the South West corner of Highland and Medical Center Drive, the project is declared to be a milestone for the City of San Bernardino and was the result of a study conducted in 2008 that revealed the city was approximately 1,000 units below what is needed for an aging population in the form of affordable senior housing.
“This is one more great project for the city of San Bernardino. I am always here to support projects such as this,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.
Scheduled for a January 2012 opening, the community will have an on-site community advisor, offering seniors multiple educational and social activities. If that is not enough, a luxury resort level setting, with a choice of three separate floor plans, will also surround them.
The first floor plan is a one-bedroom unit of approximately 589 square feet with a patio or balcony. The two other plans consist of 2-bedroom units of approximately 828 square feet and 971 square feet, also with patios or balconies.
An outdoor patio area with shade trees, a fountain, barbecue grills, a swimming pool and adequate areas for relaxed seating will enhance the exterior of the facility. A walking path around the perimeter of the building will allow residents the opportunity for exercise while at the same time providing them with a sense of security as the path will be within a decorative 6-foot wrought iron fence that surrounds the project.
“This is the culmination of several years of hard work,” said Carey Jenkins, San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s Housing and Community Development Director. “It is exciting to move forward with a project that has an immediate benefit to the residents and the city, while we continue our efforts to revitalize the west side of San Bernardino.”
Carrying a total development cost of $19 million, the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency partnered with Optimus Construction, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Chase, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Western Community Housing Management and Meta Housing to reach their goal.
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s agreed upon subsidy for the project is $7 million from its redevelopment low and moderate income housing funds. These funds are for housing only and cannot be used for city’s general fund.
The project has also retained a one-acre parcel of land for future sale or development opportunities, and creates a future stream of income that can be used for developments including senior or single-family housing.
“This was the easiest city we ever worked with,” said John Huskey of Meta Housing, Inc. “They were very responsive and really made the effort to provide us with the input we needed, in a timely fashion, which enabled us to provide them with what they really wanted.”
For more information on this project call Carey Jenkins at the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency at (909) 663-1044.
-end-
Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
The Salvation Army recently conducted its Fall Fundraiser, one of its largest fund-raising efforts of the year. The $40,000 raised there is short of its annual goal of $50,000 for this event, which may require the Army to cut back on its services offered, if other donations do not replace the shortfall. The Fall Fundraiser recognized donors of $1,000 or more with a luncheon, and gave special recognition to those who gave $5,000 or more. Shown here are major donors, and representatives of the Salvation Army. Left to right: Capt. Stephen Ball (Corps officer), donor Sara Cain (on behalf of Stater Bros.), donor Jack Carlson, donor and Salvation Advisory Board Member Kristen Scott (on behalf of The Gas Company), donor and Salvation Army Advisory Board President Tom Brickley, Salvation Army, Inland Empire Resource Development Director Nancy Tortorelli, donor Pat Fisher, donor Bill Lemann, donor Royce Merrymim (on behalf of Saint Bernadine’s Medical Center), and Capt. Nancy Ball (Corps officer.) Photo by Chris Sloan
Corps Officer, Capt. Stephen Ball with Bill Turner, who told guests at the Fall Fundraiser luncheon how the Salvation Army’s program Path to Prosperity, helped him get his life back together after overcoming drug addiction. Photo by Chris Sloan
Corps Officer, Capt. Nancy Ball (left) and Roosevelt Carroll (right), encourage Kelly Silvestri as she tells guests at the Fall Fundraiser luncheon how the Hospitality House supported her after she lost the home she had lived in most of her life. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) A recent effort encouraging wealthy San Bernardino-area residents to donate at least $1,000 to the Salvation Army raised almost $40,000 – but that’s down from previous years and only a small portion of what the Salvation Army needs to provide an array of services to those less fortunate.
Money raised by this campaign assists with operational costs, as the Salvation Army continues its ongoing effort to help families struggling to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and utilities, as well as additional supportive services like counseling and spiritual care. “People will always have needs,” said Corps Officer, Capt. Stephen Ball. “The Salvation Army has met those needs, through the power that God has for all of us. We have been in San Bernardino for 123 years, and we will fight to help those in need until the very end.”
The fight the Salvation Army wages takes money. Its annual Fall Fundraiser campaign focuses on raising funds to operate the many programs of the Salvation Army, and the goal for that campaign is $50,000.
“Without the extra $10,000, we can’t pay all our bills and we will have to cut back on the services we offer,” Capt. Ball said. “It will be hard, because we already have a bare-bones staff.”
Tom Brickley, president of the Salvation Army’s advisory board, agreed.
“Last year, we raised more than $60,000. This year, times are tough and we only raised $40,000,” Brickley said. “All of this is for operating expenses of the services that are so critical in our community. We will have to lay people off and cut services if we don’t make up this shortfall.”
The Fall Fundraiser campaign is one of the Salvation Army’s largest fundraisers each year.
“The Red Kettle donation program nets us about $65,000 each year,” Capt. Ball said. “Most of that pays for the extra expenses the Salvation Army faces in November and December as we add services to make sure everyone has a good Thanksgiving and Christmas season. If there is any money left over after the holidays, it can be added to the operating budget for the following year.”
“The needs in the community are far greater than the resources available to help women, children and men in our community,” said Brian Cronin, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board’s Fund Development Committee. One beneficiary of the funds is the Path to Prosperity. This residential program helps men focus on obtaining the skills they need to become financially independent and support themselves after completing an alcohol and drug abuse recovery program at the organization’s rehabilitation center.
This two-year education and job training initiative, combines on-site transitional housing, daily classes and peer group support in a 5,500-square foot center with living space for 28 and classroom space for 52.
At a luncheon the Salvation Army put on for its major donors, guests heard from Bill Turner, who found the strength at Path to Prosperity to move on with life after overcoming a 30-year drug addiction. He will graduate in May 2011 from San Bernardino Valley College with what is currently a 4.0 grade point average.
“The Salvation Army has saved my life, sincerely,” Turner said.
The guests also heard from Kelly Silvestri, who in less than a decade, went from high school cheerleader to homeless woman. Along the way, she coped with her mother’s death, her own divorce, the loss of her children, and losing the home in which she had spent most of her life.
Silvestri was one of the first residents of the Salvation Army’s Hospitality House emergency family shelter when it moved to its new location on Tenth Street this year. She began her stay at the Hospitality House while it was still at the Headquarters Building on Fifth Street, which offered considerably less privacy than the current building.
“I walked into a room filled with 40 people sleeping on mats on the floor,” Silvestri said. “And I had never felt more safe. Nobody looked down on me. They just showed me compassion and kindness.”
Silvestri, who demonstrated a passion for working with children while she lived at the Hospitality House and has continued that passion since then, now heads the programs the Salvation Army offers to school-age children. These programs provide the youth with spiritual and social development, recreation and opportunities for travel many of them couldn’t otherwise afford. While the $40,000 raised through the Fall Fundraiser campaign is greatly appreciated, more is needed to pay for the services of Path to Prosperity, Hospitality House, the youth programs, daily meals and many other Salvation Army programs serving the communities of San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace and Bloomington. The Salvation Army is therefore encouraging everyone to give what he or she can.
Online giving, which can be directed specifically to the San Bernardino Corps, is possible at any time by going to www.salvationarmy.usa.org <http://www.salvationarmy.usa.org> .
In addition, anyone shopping at Stater Bros. stores within the city limits of San Bernardino can help the Corps by participating in the grocery chain’s “Harvesting Hope” which will run throughout November and part of December.
Stater Bros. will give the donations of non-perishable food items it receives at those specific stores to the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps. Stater Bros. will give donations it receives in other cities’ stores to other local charities, including the Redlands and Riverside corps of the Salvation Army.
As in years past, from mid-November through December 24, donors can also give to the Salvation Army through the Red Kettle Drive, a holiday tradition the Army has relied on for more than 100 years. Look for red kettles accompanied by bellringers at locations throughout the Inland Empire. All donations collected at a Red Kettle stay within the community where they were received.
“Donations of time are also highly needed. For one, The Salvation Army wants to increase the volunteer bellringer force and we also need volunteers for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinner,” said Ball.
With holiday shopping on most people’s minds already, The Salvation Army hopes people will shop for their poorest neighbors too. Gifts of food and toys are needed for about 750 familiesrelying on the San Bernardino Corps to have any kind of Christmas celebration at all this year.
Those interested in donating time or toys should call the San Bernardino Corps at (909) 888-1336. After Thanksgiving, toys can also be donated through the Giving Tree programs at the Inland Center Mall, the Ontario Mills Mall, the Montclair Plaza and the Redlands Wal-Mart. 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 <http://www.salvationarmyusa.org> or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
-end-
Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and I will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Late October’s cooler, rainy weather gave homeless men and women a new shelter option for the fall and winter months.
The Salvation Army has opened its cold weather Shelter, which operates within the Hospitality House, 925 W. Tenth Street, San Bernardino.
“The cold weather shelter is to give men and women a place to stay when it’s rainy and cold,” said Roosevelt Carroll, director of Hospitality House. “Some recent nights, it has below 46 degrees, and it gets even colder in winter. We expect to keep the cold weather shelter open until April, when the weather is consistently warm again.”
Up to 28 men can stay; they will be sleeping on mats in the dining room. Between nine and 15 women can stay; they will be given a bed in one the bedrooms for the night.
“We will keep three rooms, with three beds apiece, open for single women who want to stay in the cold weather shelter,” Carroll said. “Nine women can stay in those rooms, and if we have another room or two available when they’re not needed by the family shelter, three to six more women can stay in them.”
People who want to stay at the cold weather shelter should check in at 7 p.m. on weekdays, or 8:30 p.m. on weekends. Dinner is not served to cold weather shelter guests, but breakfast is.
“For dinner, they can attend our community dinners at 4:45 p.m. each night in the Headquarters Building at 746 W. Fifth Street,” Carroll said
Women, whether single or married, also have the option of staying at The Salvation Army for up to three months until they find permanent housing, as a resident of its year-round emergency family shelter. The Salvation Army provides assistance in these women’s efforts to create a more stable housing situation for themselves and their families.
Only the family shelter accepts children. Families enrolled in family shelter’s program each are assigned to a bedroom, where they can keep their belongings during the day, and have privacy at night.
For local help, 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.
San Bernardino-area members of the Boy Scouts have a history of community service, such as volunteering at a Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner. In 2010, they will further assist the Salvation Army by conducting Scouting for Food on Saturday, Nov. 13. This is a nationwide event for the Boy Scouts of America. Donations collected by San Bernardino, Highland, Colton, Rialto and Bloomington Boy Scouts will go to the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army’s hunger relief efforts. Photo by Ricardo Tombac.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On Saturday, Nov. 13 local Boy Scout troops will do a good deed for the Salvation Army and its efforts to feed hungry people.
“We will be going door-to-door collecting food,” said the Boy Scouts Arrowhead District Commander Major Russell Fritz. “We also will be collecting food in front of some of the Stater Brothers stores in the San Bernardino area.”
Boy Scouts from San Bernardino, Rialto, Colton, Highland and Bloomington will help collect food for the Salvation Army. Major Fritz estimates this to be about 65 troops, ranging in size from 5 to 40 boys.
They are participating in a nationwide event the Boy Scouts of America calls Scouting for Food.
“All of the Boy Scout troops in San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been invited to participate in Scouting for Food,” Major Fritz said. “We want to help as many local charities as we can.”
Each Scouting for Food drive benefits a local charity. For instance, other troops within the Arrowhead District serve the San Bernardino County mountain communities, and will take their food to a shelter in Blue Jay.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps hosts a Thanksgiving Dinner that often brings in 700 to 900 people. Although much of the food served at that dinner is fresh, some of the non-perishable items the Boy Scouts collect may be included.
In December, the San Bernardino Corps assembles holiday food baskets for more than 700 local families. The donations it receives from the Boy Scouts will be included in those baskets.
The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House homeless shelter. Up to 75 family members can stay in its emergency family shelter, and another 25 or so people sleep in the cold weather shelter, which recently opened for the fall and winter 2010-11 cold season.
It also needs food for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week. 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.
Stater Bros. is a major supporter of the Salvation Army. In October, Sara Cain, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities, presented the Salvation Army’s San Bernardino Corps Officer Capt. Stephen Ball and its Inland Empire Resource Development Director Nancy Tortorelli with a $10,000 check for the San Bernardino Corps. In November and December, it will conduct its annual “Harvesting Hope” food drive at all of its grocery stores, and will donate all food collected at its six San Bernardino stores to the San Bernardino Corps. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Starting Monday, Nov. 1, shoppers at San Bernardino Stater Bros. grocery stores can help the Salvation Army feed the hungry.
Stater Bros. begins its annual “Harvesting Hope” food drive on Monday, and in San Bernardino, it has designated all of the proceeds to go to the local Salvation Army Corps.
Stater Bros. will have bins in front of its stores where shoppers can place any non-perishable food. It doesn’t have to even be purchased at Stater Brothers.
“Everyone does spring cleaning,” said Sara Cain, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities. “This year they might want to do fall cleaning as well. They can clean out their food pantry of all their unwanted non-perishable food, and then stock up at Stater Brothers on the food they will need for the holidays.”
“Two things that I always have too much of are beans and rice,” Cain said. “Some families would love to have more beans and rice!”
It will collect food from Monday through Dec. 13, then turn the food over to the Salvation Army.
“This donation is huge for us,” said Nancy Tortorelli, director of resource development for the Inland Empire corps of the Salvation Army. “We will be able to help more people because of it.”
In December, the San Bernardino Corps assembles holiday food baskets for more than 700 local families. The donations it receives from Stater Bros. will be included in those baskets.
The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House homeless shelter. Up to 75 family members can stay in its emergency family shelter, and another 25 or so people sleep in the cold weather shelter, which recently opened for the fall and winter 2010-11 cold season.
It also needs food for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week.
The Stater Bros. stores where donations will benefit the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army are:
648 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino
444 E. Baseline St., San Bernardino
1085 W. Highland Ave., San Bernardino
1522 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino
161 E. 40th St., San Bernardino
977 Kendall Drive, San Bernardino
Stater Bros. will give donations it receives in other cities’ stores to other local charities, including the Redlands and Riverside corps of the Salvation Army. 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.
