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By Bob Bearchell –
Captain Mike Olsen, El Paso, Tex., county coordinator, reports that the Army is getting healthy recognition of its work in El Paso. One evening the local evening news was broadcast from their Christmas Bureau via live remote. Camera teams visited each of the Army facilities that day to film segments of “Christmas in The Salvation Army,” to be cut into the special broadcast.
Besides numerous other Army items in the news, Olsen has been asked to appear on morning shows. Kettles and mail appeal are both up from last year. Sounds great! Congratulations!
NATIVE AMERICANS CELEBRATE
Captain David Roehl reports that their outpost in Mills, Wyo., has a tremendous ministry to the Native-American community of Metro Casper. Their “Native American Holiday” dinner celebration made the front page of the Casper Star–Tribune the next day.
AVIS PITCHES IN
The Avis car rental company has really jumped in on their new joint venture with The Salvation Army. For instance, in Denver, Avis provided and scheduled 60-70 volunteers to sort food at the SA’s one-day canned food drive marathon. Their regional manager not only worked all day at the marathon, but also wants to become involved in providing employment for graduates of our drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.
In addition, Avis offices are collecting food and clothing in Phoenix and San Francisco, providing food boxes for special family needs in Reno, and donating in Idaho Falls. Way to go, Avis!
SAY IT WITH PLASTIC
We hear that in San Francisco during Service Club Bell Ringing Day, credit cards were accepted! Stan Riddle, Kettle Coordinator at Turk Street, has a team composed of shelter residents, who not only bring in good donations but are very conscientious in their jobs.
Merrill Higham, president of the San Francisco Stake of the Mormon Church, arranged for The Salvation Army to receive a donation of five tons of potatoes, dried milk and canned goods.
HAWAII ANGELS
The Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division received fine cooperation from the local CBS TV station and the Hawaii Dodge Dealers in connection with their Angel Trees. Station KMGB made a spot announcement featuring Roma Downing, star of “Touched by an Angel,” and encouraged customers to adopt from the Angel Tree.
YA-HOO! COWBOYS DONATE
A/Captain Linda Rodriguez, reports that half of the entrance fee at the Cowboy Show at Red Bluff, Calif., was donated for The Salvation Army’s work, and there was an Angel Tree at the show as well.
TURLOCK TOGETHER
Captains David and Diane Ebel say that Christmas basket distribution in their city was made by Turlock Together, including the Turlock Evangelical Association of Ministers, most of the City Council, and many others. More than 1,000 baskets were delivered, along with toys, thanks to excellent teamwork in this California city.
Another year-round benefit of Turlock Together is the sharing of resources and the creation of a year-round data base to help identify those in need.
BIKERS HIT ROAD
The Modified Motorcycle Association started from D&D Cycle in Anderson, Calif., to deliver toys on to the Redding, Calif., corps (Capts. Robert and Leslie Souders). After delivering the toys, which were distributed to needy children in the area, the group rode over to Mercy Medical and delivered toys to the children in the pediatrics ward.
TRAINING TO BEGIN IN LATVIA
We have just learned that in April 1998 the first course for officers’ training for more than 60 years will start in Riga, Latvia.
