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by Karen Gleason
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom. 12:2, NIV).
Puyallup’s “minute to win it”
To engage young people from the corps and community, the Puyallup Valley (Wash.) Corps—led by Capt. Premak and Major Charity Kramerius—held a “Minute to Win it” event, based on the TV show of the same name.
Youth accepted the challenge of “Bobblehead,” balloon juggling, “Dizzy Mummy” and “Face the Cookie”; each game had a 60-second time limit.
Plans are underway for another game night this summer.
“It was fun to make new friends and to laugh,” said Major Charity Kramerius, while participant Tiffany Judkins said, “I had so much fun—I wish I had more than just a minute to win it—and the prizes were cool!”
Feeding hungry kids in Salinas
This summer the Salinas (Calif.) Corps—Corps Officers Captains Kris and Camie Potter—began a feeding program that furnishes free breakfasts and lunches, Monday through Friday, to “anyone under 18 who’s hungry.” Children can bring one parent or guardian with them.
Doors opened on June 14 to 127 kids and the number is growing daily.
Potter initiated the program in response to the closing of summer school classes in north Salinas due to budget cuts. Families relied on the school’s provision of free lunches. The Salinas Corps is now an officially certified, federally funded summer lunch program.
Keeping the lights on
The Reno (Nev.) Corps received over 500 energy-efficient light bulbs courtesy of Nevada Energy and delivered by Harrah’s Reno. The corps will share these with low-income clients. A package of six is estimated to save $50 on a yearly utility bill.
Nevada Energy provided—and Harrah’s delivered—over 50,000 of the bulbs to social service organizations in Nevada.
Tacoma shopping spree
In Tacoma, Wash. on July 15, three Salvation Army employees had two minutes to race through Fred Meyer’s Grocery Department. Each person got to spend $500 on everything from food to toiletries, and other general merchandise. Food Lifeline chose The Salvation Army’s Tacoma Food Bank to participate, in a continuing partnership to help those in need. If the shoppers can’t grab enough in the allotted time, they will receive gift cards with the remaining balance.
Educational achievement
Several Western Territory officers completed the requirements in their chosen fields of study. From Nazarene Bible College: Capt. Chris Aird, Capt. Thomas Stambaugh, and Major Merry Svenson, BA Min. in Leadership and Ethics; Major Michele Lescano, BA Min. in Bible/Theology; Captain Tracie Hartt and Major Rhonda Lloyd, BA Min. in Christian Counseling.
From other institutions: Capt. Stacy Cross, MS in Higher Education, Drexel University; Capt. Michael Paugh, MA in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Abilene Christian University; Major Victoria Shiroma, MEd in Higher Education, Abilene Christian University; Capt. Paula Wild, BS in Business Administration, University of Phoenix; Capt. Moy Hernandez, MA in Human Resources and Organizational Development, Azusa Pacific University.
Appointments
Commissioner James Knaggs announced the following appointments, effective June 30: Lt. Craig Summerfield—Additional responsibility, Coordinator Hawaii County (Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division); A/Captains Luis and Angela Lozano—Corps Officers, East Los Angeles Temple (Southern California Division); Captain Derek Strickland—Finance Officer and Captain Angela Strickland—Additional responsibility, Silver Star Fellowship Secretary (Southwest Division).
