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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9, NIV).
New “slippahs” for Hilo kids
Cadet Ashley Aspeitia, now in her second year of officer training, spent her summer interning at the Hilo (Hawaii) Corps, under Corps Officers Lieutenants Craig and Anney Summerfield. Tasked with planning and carrying out an outreach event, she contacted the local Wal-Mart. The store allowed Salvation Army volunteers to spend two days seeking donations of new flip-flops (slippahs) or money to purchase them. The endeavor proved successful—The Salvation Army provided slippahs to over 130 kids just in time for the start of school.
Aspeitia said, “Arranging for a Slippah Drive was surprisingly easy because the community was such a strong support.” She also noted, “Hilo Temple is a beautiful corps with wonderfully welcoming people.”
From Kekoa, the newsletter of The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division
Monterey’s rising stars
Three young people, all singers, from the Monterey Peninsula Corps (Calif.) tried out for a countywide talent search sponsored by McDonald’s—all three made it. The kids—Eandi Sosa (11), Grace Sizemore (12) and Rachel Sizemore (9)—performed at the Monterey County Fair and then accepted an invitation to sing at the Santa Cruz County Fair.
They began singing solos for the corps’ Christmas play, and have been developing their talent since then.
Major Gaylene Yardley, corps officer with her husband David, said, “We are blessed to have such great kids and talent at the Monterey Peninsula Corps.”
Tempe reaps a bountiful harvest
The Tempe Corps (Ariz.) is reaping the benefits of a successful summer day camp: their new 17-piece brass band debuted on a recent Sunday, the troops have all doubled, the teen group and pre-teen ministry have exploded with growth, and Sunday school and Holiness meeting attendance has increased significantly. And—on Oct. 3, Territorial Leaders Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs will be enrolling 10 junior soldiers and five senior soldiers. Captains Robyn and Stephanie Bridgeo are the corps officers.
Mentoring within the community
The Centennial Corps (Colo.), led by Captains Nigel and Stacy Cross, is partnering with the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative in a six-month program that links a client family or individual to a network of service providers, including The Salvation Army.
The corps has “adopted” a mother of four, whose oldest child needs heart surgery.
Ultimately, the program goal is for clients to achieve self-sufficiency in many areas—from balancing a checkbook to preparing the GED exam. When they complete the mentoring phase, they become eligible for other services, including affordable housing.
“In this way we model a healthy, Christ-centered lifestyle to the community while helping those in need,” Captain Stacy Cross said.
‘Climbing’ up Mount Rainier
Mt. Rainier, pride of the Northwest, is the tallest volcano and fifth highest peak in the contiguous United States. The Salvation Army Puyallup Valley Senior Activity Center took 22 plus some family members for a day trip to ‘climb’ the mountain. The center’s cook Loretta Thayer drove the corps’ van while Administrator Nancy Ritchie drove the Kiwanis Little Blue Bus. Client Dorothy Broberg said, “Most enjoyable day! Pretty trip to Mr. Rainier—one short trail led me to snow!”
Raven Gillies, center director, said, “It is always nice to be out with our older ‘family’ at the corps, enjoying God’s wonderful creation—much like having your grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles with you.”
Talk to us!
We want to know what’s happening in your corps, ARC or unit—special programs or events, enrollments, youth achievements, and more! Submit just a few sentences (that’s about 75 words) to karen.gleason@ usw.salvationarmy.org or to New.Frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org. You can also find us on Facebook; my link is https://www.facebook.com/karen.gleason. New Frontier also has a page: https://www.facebook.com/tsanewfrontier
