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In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Ps. 56:4 NIV)
RENO, NEV.—The corps, led by Majors Michael and Janene Zielinski, held a Memorial Day observance. Major Joe Whipple, veteran and retired Salvation Army officer, explained the meaning of Memorial Day. Everyone joined in a flag ceremony and The Salvation Army Beginning Band played patriotic tunes. Senior Soldier Dave Wright spoke on the One who “gave all” for our souls.
Soldiers, adherents and Adult Rehabilitation Program beneficiaries then provided a barbecue for 420 people, while the children enjoyed crafts and a carnival.
PETERSBURG, ALASKA—Lts. Caleb and Christin Fankhauser received donations for the corps’ food bank from an unlikely source. When a community member (who wishes to be unnamed) recently celebrated his birthday, he advised friends that he preferred canned food over birthday gifts. He then donated the food to The Salvation Army to subsidize the food bank.
YAKIMA, WASH.—The Home League hosted its 57th annual Nursing Home Luncheon with 85 guests from local nursing homes. Each person at the lighthouse-themed event received a lighthouse craft to complete. Corps Officer Major Crystal Morrow led a sing-along accompanied by Joanne Sargent on piano, and Lisa Sargent gave the devotion.
TURLOCK, CALIF.—The corps held its second Community Awareness Day May 18 along with 15 different agencies. Attendees received a card, to be stamped at each agency they visited. When they accumulated 10 stamps, they received a bag of groceries, a hot dog, chips and drink. In three hours, the corps fed 266 people and distributed 200 boxes of groceries.
Major Debi Shrum is the corps officer.
HOBBS, N.M.—The Roadrunner Foodbank in Albuquerque reinstated the Hobbs Corps, allowing it to purchase food at 19 cents per pound and receive free USDA commodities.
Re-applying entailed a lot of work, including clean-up, acquiring necessary equipment and securing racks to hold the pallets of canned goods. Corps Officers Capts. Leslie and Susan Spousta rallied corps members to meet the application deadline.
WESTERN TERRITORY—This year’s “Vocalize” contest winners, for their original poetry and recording of it, include: Adult Category (over 18)—1st, Lindsay Fleeman (Southern Territory, special contestant, ineligible for cash prize), “Crossroads”; 2nd, Justin Docherty (Crestmont), “You Are Not Alone”; 3rd, Antwon Mason (Stockton), “Strive”; Honorary Mentions—Jessica Stennett (Tucson Amphi), “The Tongue”; Jen Arens (South San Francisco), “Others”; Youth Category (under 18)—1st, Alexandra Van Cleef (Tustin Ranch), “Letting Go.”
The annual event is sponsored by the territory’s Creative Workshop Ministries. For more information, visit uswcreativearts.com.
