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Earth is crammed with heaven and every bush aflame with God but only those who see take off their shoes
–Elizabeth Barrett Browning
It’s July, and the beautiful gardens at Crestmont College are a riot of color–roses, daylillies, primroses, bougainvilleas, and all. They remind me of this poem–as do the reports below from Salvationists throughout the West. God’s hand touches lives in so many ways…and “those who see” give thanks!
THUMS lends a hand
In May, employees of THUMS came out to help The Salvation Army of Long Beach, CA, do some much-needed painting as part of its company’s volunteer efforts. THUMS workers spent the entire day painting and were rewarded with lunch, a gift basket and knowing they helped improve the facility for its youth members. THUMS provided all of the paint supplies and the food, while the Army supplied the gift baskets, complete with a Starbucks gift certificate and box of See’s candy, and one of it’s disaster relief T-shirts
In addition, the Society of Petroleum Engineers held its Annual Charity Golf Classic & Awards Dinner in June, with more than 300 players participating. As a result it donated $2,500 to the Long Beach Salvation Army.
Army “chuck wagon” in parade
For the first time in years, the Santa Maria Corps, CA, took part in one of the biggest events of the year in the Santa Maria Valley–the Elks Rodeo parade. Over 30 corps kids and adults sang “countrified” praise songs as they drove down the parade route. Corps Sergeant Major Kelly Nolan designed a frame around the emergency disaster canteen that turned it into an old western covered wagon. Sue Gibson designed and made the large canvas cover. The canteen-turned-chuck wagon towed an open trailer decorated with hay bales, a drum set and a keyboard. While the float won first prize in the open float division, the best reward was the opportunity to share God’s marvelous love with the thousands of people who lined the streets.
World’s biggest shield
Bob Bearchell reports that the Seattle ARC has the world’s largest Salvation Army shield affixed to its roof.. It measures 92 feet across and is viewed by an estimated 2 million air travelers each year who land at the Sea-Tac airport via the flight path directly over the building. “We have received a number of comments from passengers who are visually reminded of our ministry,” he said.
Cut of kindness
Sometimes, just getting a haircut can make a person feel better…but getting a haircut from a world famous stylist is something else! That’s what happened at the Santa Monica Adult Rehabilitation Center recently, according to Capt. Jessica Markiewicz. Kim Sun Young visited the facility with five of her finest beauticians, who gave 54 men free haircuts. She has offered her services to the center on the first Sunday of every month. “The Santa Monica ARC is indeed fortunate to have a caring friend like Ms. Young,” said Markiewicz.
Army thrift stores a hit
The Salvation Army thrift stores were voted best thrift/resale stores by the Ventura County Star “Reader’s Choice Awards,” reports ARC Public Relations Director Dawn Marks. The stores are under the administration of the Carpinteria ARC.