Listen to this article
Long-time advisory board member developed Modesto’s Red Kettle Kick-Off.
by Joshua Sneed –
Major Joe Posillico, Sheila Barton and award recipient Hugh Barton. |
Veteran advisory board member and Salvation Army pioneer Hugh Barton, was inducted into the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service on November 14, 2005.
Barton’s relationship with The Salvation Army began in the 1930s when the local corps brought sunrise services to his family’s farm in Escalon, Calif. These open air meetings ministered to some 300 people each week, including the young Hugh, whose mischievous nature led him to toss green prunes into the bass drum in an effort to throw the drummer off time.
This spirited young man’s love for the Army never wavered—despite his punishment at the hands of the drummer—and his devotion to its cause led him to career-length service as a Salvation Army advisory board member.
To his credit, Barton bears the title member emeritus of the Modesto Corps Advisory Board, and maintains active membership on the Monterey Peninsula Board to this day.
Among his many contributions to the Army’s work and ministry, is his development and promotion of the “Red Kettle Kick-Off” concept during his tenure of service to the Modesto Corps. This creative vision for harnessing community support is now a perennial blessing for an ever-increasing number of corps in the Western Territory.
Mr. and Mrs. Barton’s support of The Salvation Army is an addendum to their faithful service and ministry within the parish of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Carmel Valley, Calif.
Membership in the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service is granted by order of the General to mark the Army’s appreciation of distinguished service rendered by non-Salvationists who have helped to further its work in a variety of ways. Barton is only the third American to receive this distinction in the last six years.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to serve alongside Mr. Barton,” said Monterey Peninsula Corps Officer Major Tedd Lowcock, “His ongoing record of support, board development and creative leadership is an example to us all.”
