by Karen Gleason –
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2)
Fresno community unites to “Feed the Need”
The second annual Big Fresno Fair “Feed the Need” Community Food Drive, held Oct. 14, 2010, collected 103,564 pounds of food (51.7 tons)— the largest single-day, single-location food drive collection in U.S. history. The total almost doubles that of last year, which brought in 56,700 pounds (28.6 tons).
The Salvation Army and Community Food Bank receive the food to help the needy in Fresno County. Staff and volunteers from both organizations—a total of 104 volunteers—worked with fair staff to ensure a successful event.
Captains Dwaine and Deborah Breazeale are Fresno Citadel’s corps officers.
Check out photos of the food drive at The Salvation Army Fresno Citadel Corps’ Facebook page: facebook.com/SalvationArmyFresno.
Coeur D’Alene Kroc Center honored
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, was selected from among 87 Athletic Business Architectural Showcase entries to receive a 2010 Facility of Merit award. Athletic Business magazine is featuring the 10 winning facilities in their Dec. issue and at their annual conference in San Diego.
Steve Blackburn of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, designers of the center, said, “We believe this project is one of the finest facilities we have designed in our 35-year history. This prestigious award recognizes just how special the project is on a national stage.”
Majors John and Lani Chamness are the center’s adminsistrators. Find out more online at kroccda.org or on Facebook (search for The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Coeur d’Alene), where you can view photos.
Intermountain Division announces “10 in 2010” campaign winners
Congratulations to the winners of Intermountain Division’s Sunday school campaign “10 in 2010”: 1st place—General’s award—Fountain Valley (Colo.) Corps receives a Nintendo Wii system, $3000 for Christian education supplies, a vacation Bible school (VBS) kit and craft supplies; 2nd place—Commissioner’s award—Fort Collins (Colo.) Corps receives $3000 for Christian education supplies and the VBS kit and craft supplies; 3rd place—Colonel’s award—Colorado Springs Corps—receives $2400 for Christian education supplies and the VBS kit and craft supplies; 4th place—Major’s award—Cheyenne (Wyo.) Corps—receives $2000 for Christian education supplies and the VBS kit and craft supplies.
Michelle Marquez is Intermountain’s Christian education director and child safety consultant.
Los Angeles Red Shield taps into a senior need
The Los Angeles Red Shield Youth and Community Center (Calif.) used a portion of its $100,000 grant for 2010 from California Emerging Technology Fund to address a formerly unrecognized community need: introducing seniors to computers.
With their 42 PC (personal computer) stations, the center is helping seniors get acquainted with modern technology with lessons that teach basic computer skills to those who have been “left behind” from the contemporary “PC world.”
The multi-level classes begin with the basics of turning on a computer and terminology—mouse, keyboard, screen—then progress to surfing the Internet, sending/receiving e-mails and attaching documents. Further classes show them how to create a profile page on Facebook and Twitter. All this hands-on instruction is at no cost.
Irene De Anda Lewis, executive director, reports that 650 people are currently enrolled.
Torrance pre-school freshened up
Approximately 50 volunteers from Exxon Mobil and the Corporate Volunteer Council painted the Torrance (Calif.) Salvation Army’s pre-school facility and re-conditioned the playground area. Exxon—who donated all the supplies and professional advice—selected The Salvation Army of Torrance as recipient of its community outreach project in recognition of the service the Army provides to the community. Children enjoy the facility and playground year-round: 30 kids in the summer and 20 during the school year. Exxon’s Barbara Burgett coordinated the event. Majors Julio and Karen Vasquez are Torrance corps officers.
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: www.facebook.com/tsanewfrontier.