Persistence Pays Forward

On the day Shelley Mihalik met Catherine Ashley and her daughter, the two had come to The Salvation Army office in Honesdale to ask for help with clothing. Summer was turning into fall and neither Catherine nor Catie had any long sleeves or outerwear to protect them from the chill in the air. As the three spoke, it became clear to Shelley that they needed much more than warm clothes. Catherine and Catie needed a home.

Shelley is the architect of The Salvation Army’s Journey of Hope. The program in Honesdale is designed to provide scaffolding to help clients like Catherine and Catie rebuild their lives. Journey of Hope engages and supports clients while they develop life skills and resources to ultimately succeed on their own.

JOY-ful Camp Ladore

While The Salvation Army’s Eliza Seymour was leading a devotional lesson at Camp Ladore last summer on the importance of putting Jesus first, others second, and yourself third, one of the campers made an astute observation. The words Jesus, others, and you form the acronym J.O.Y. Joy for Jesus is the centerpiece of Camp Ladore.

Bloom Where You’re Planted: A Salvationist’s PA Roots Yield Tournament of Roses

When William B. Flinn (Bill to his friends) spoke to the head coaches of Penn State and USC before the Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day, he had to chuckle. It was the CEO and Executive Director’s last Rose Bowl Game before retiring from The Tournament of Roses Association, and an amusing reminder of his past, versus his present and future. One team hailed from the state of his birth and youth, the other from the place where he built his life. “God has a sense of humor,” said Bill.

The Salvation Army Makes a Splash in Lackawanna County

The Salvation Army made quite a splash at Fell Charter School when students lined up at field day to dunk a teacher and raise money for their community. In addition to sack races, tug-of-war, and water balloon tosses, students in grades kindergarten through ninth grade could also purchase balls to throw at a bulls-eye, that when hit, landed the teacher of their choice in a tank of cold water.

Using a dunk tank borrowed from The Salvation Army’s Camp Ladore, the game was among the most popular at the annual field day event and the only community fundraising element of the fun-filled day. The balls sold for $1 each, or 3 for $5, and all proceeds were donated to The Salvation Army. In the two hours the dunk tank was in operation, students raised almost $350.00. The Salvation Army will use the donation to help individuals and families in Simpson and nearby Carbondale.

Fell Charter is home to more than 150 students from throughout Lackawanna County. The school already had a reputation for generosity. In 2015 teachers at Fell Charter opted to teach without pay indefinitely while they awaited the Pennsylvania State budget to pass.

Salvation Army of West Chester Unveils New Choice Pantry

The Salvation Army of West Chester unveiled its new Manna From Heaven food pantry at a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 19.

The event celebrated its status as a pilot pantry under the Chester County Food Bank’s Best Choice Initiative. The Salvation Army of West Chester has provided food assistance to those in need for more than 30 years and currently serves as many as 60 individuals and families each month. Rather than distribute food that’s already been bagged with various non-perishable items, the Manna From Heaven Pantry is now set up in a choice-format. It is comparable to a mini-market where clients use a shopping cart and select food, paper products and personal care items from the stocked shelves. Under the pilot program, the Chester County Food Bank is supplying healthier food options like fresh produce, low-sodium and whole grain selections.

The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre Honors NEPA Business Owners & Philanthropists Joe & Andrea Amato

Joe & Andrea Amato, with Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich

The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre has recognized Joe and Andrea Amato, prominent business owners and philanthropists in Northeast Pennsylvania, for their outstanding commitment to the betterment of the Wilkes-Barre area. The Amato’s received the Community Service Award at The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre’s Annual Dinner on May 18.