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 Captain Joyce Loomis, James Brooks, Advisory Board Chair, Dawn Hamilton, Five Acres graduate, Robert Ketch, Five Acres executive director and Captain Ed Loomis of Pasadena Tabernacle. |
Henderson, NV
The Henderson Corps, NV, recognized two special people recently: Alice Martz and Bill Ferrence, who received the “Others” Award for their commitment to improving their communities.
Martz is executive director of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and Ferrence is manager of Boulder City’s Boulder Dam Credit Union.
Army officials and community leaders first recognized Martz for her enthusiasm and leadership. Captain Mark Gilden, Henderson corps officer, said the spirit of selflessness and giving shown by Martz is central to the tenets of The Salvation Army. Martz was given a key to the city by Council member Amanda Cyphers.
Ferrence was also given a certificate of appreciation from Boulder City Mayor Ferraro. From the time Ferrence took over the Credit Union 27 years ago, it has grown from $3 million in assets and 3,000 members to $350 million in assets and 23,000 members.
Both were awarded certificates of achievement from the state’s major political leaders, including Gov. Kenny Guinn, state Sen. Jon Porter, U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev, and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Pasadena, CA
The Pasadena Tabernacle Corps, under the leadership of Corps Officers Captains Ed and Joyce Loomis, recently honored “Five Acres” with the “Others” Award.
Five Acres is the oldest center for child abuse and neglect prevention, treatment and education in the San Gabriel Valley.
It was presented with the award, said Loomis, for “its exceptional commitment to providing ongoing counseling and financial and educational support for its residents past the age of 18.”
The program includes residential treatment for emotionally disturbed, abused and neglected children, community group homes for adolescents, foster care, therapeutic schooling and family-based services and counseling for deaf children and their families.
Paul Petersen, from the Donna Reed Show, was a special guest. Petersen heads “A Minor Consideration,” advocating for child and infant actor’s rights.
Orange County, CA
The Salvation Army’s Orange County Advisory Board sponsored its annual Spirit Awards and Civic Dinner recently to honor the work and dedication of some of the Army’s finest volunteers. More than 425 attended this annual event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine, CA.
Advisory Board member Ed Arnold, KOCE TV anchor and managing editor, guided the program, which featured the installation of new board leadership, award presentations and music by the Tustin Ranch Band and Timbrel Brigade.
The Army presented the Volunteer of the Year award to advisory board member Joann Waldron and two parent volunteers from the local Santa Ana Unified School District, Bernarda Espinal and Patty Klioumis.
The “Others” Award was presented to Peter and Mary Muth, prominent civic leaders and, according to many, “true Orange County treasures.”
Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef presented the William Booth Award to long-time board member Doy and Dee Henley, whose contribution to the mission and ministry of the Army in Orange County is well recognized. The Spirit of the Army Award was presented to the Mazda North American Operations of Irvine for their work in the Army’s Santa Ana Shelter and Christmas warehouse operations in 2000.
A “Message of Community” presentation by national advisory board member Gaddi Vasquez and a “Message of Compassion” from Captain Lee Lescano, Orange County Coordinator and Tustin Ranch corps officer were also featured.
Tustin Ranch Bandmaster Ed Freeman was installed as advisory board chair for 2001-2003.
Torrance, CA
Long-time Salvation Army supporter and former Torrance Mayor Katie Geisert was honored by the Torrance Corps, CA, with an award named after her, the “Katie Geisert Memorial Helping Hands Award.” Geisert, who had been an advisory board member and past chair, died of cancer in the summer of 2000.
The College for Officer Training had previously given her the “Others” Award, and in 2000 the Torrance Corps named her their first Board Member Emeritus.
“Katie Geisert was a strong believer in volunteerism and the board decided to honor an organization or person each year in her name,” stated Corps Officer Major Don Gilger.
“This year we honored the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California for their generous grant of $22,000, which allowed us to purchase a new vehicle for the Adult Day Care program and the corps.”
Also honored with the award for their volunteerism were Ted and Judy Jones, members of the Torrance Corps.
The recipients were presented with a plaque and ceramic hands created by Major Ronda Gilger.