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Northwest event raises funds to help feed the hungry.
This summer, The Salvation Army Soup Line 2008 luncheon raised more than $180,000 from supporters, including title sponsor Fred Meyer, to help the hungry in King County, Wash.
The program, emceed by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News’ Margo Myers, drew nearly 400 people from the Seattle area to the Westin Hotel. Guests dined as speakers shared The Salvation Army’s mission of helping others.
Western Territorial Commander Commissioner Philip Swyers, keynote speaker, shared stories of professional athletes who once were Salvation Army clients, including NBA great, Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
“When the ball’s thrown…we are always where we need to be,” Swyers said of the Army’s ongoing commitment of “Doing The Most Good.”
To date, The Salvation Army has raised approximately $988,000 in flood relief efforts, to aid in the long-term recovery of the state’s recent disaster.
Edward “Purnell” Hall, spoke of how he hit rock bottom but with the help of Majors Kathy and Maynard Sargent, found his way again. “Without The Salvation Army, I don’t know where’d I’d be…in jail or dead? Probably,” Hall said. “The Salvation Army saved me. They gave me opportunities I didn’t even know existed.” Hall recently entered the College for Officer Training at Crestmont, a cadet with the Prayer Warriors Session.
Each year, the Northwest Division of The Salvation Army presents the Arthur Sheridan Langlie award to an individual, foundation or corporation, recognizing visionary leadership. The division honored The Norcliffe Foundation this year, for all they do in the community and for the Army, including a recent gift of $500,000 to the Catherine Booth House, an emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors.