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By Fred Rasmussen, Major
Directors at Wet and Wild water recreation park in West Oahu—just a few miles from the Kroc Center—and a local Christian radio station invited The Salvation Army to join “Keiki Karnival” day at the park and offered those attendees who donated a bag of clothing to the Army a discount of nearly 50 percent.
Salvation Army soldiers and friends attended, including divisional leaders Majors John and Lani Chamness, and volunteers from the Honolulu Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). The divisional hula group and Camp Homelani music campers performed.
Major Patty Rasmussen, divisional secretary for program, helped ensure that each small child received party bubbles—1,100 bottles were given away.
“Events like today are important for the Army to be a part of. It helps people see us in a new light beyond the thrift store or the Christmas kettle,” Rasmussen said. “It helps them see us as a place of spiritual strength, community involvement and a place to become involved.”
Salvation Army volunteers fielded questions from park attendees concerning spiritual counseling, family service information, preschool availability and connecting with a corps. Requests for prayer and questions regarding various Christian beliefs were also addressed.
The event brought in enough clothing donations to fill the back of a Salvation Army truck.
Organizers expressed appreciation for the Army’s participation, noting that they hope to expand The Salvation Army’s role in other celebrations, including an upcoming “Christian Day” at the park.
