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Annual dinner brings 300 guests
By Sydney Fong
The Salvation Army Lodi Corps’ annual dinner in March focused on “A hand up, not hand out” at the Temple Baptist Social Hall.
“I thought it was important to show our community that we’re in the business of changing lives,” said Corps Officer Captain Martin Ross. “And those who came to the dinner heard that with the testimonies tonight.”
Phillip said he came to the Army’s Hope Harbor single parent shelter in November.
“My son and I were living in a bad environment,” Phillip said. “There was a lot of drinking and stuff like that. I’m five years clean and I couldn’t be a part of that again, so I left. Once my unemployment ran out, I was pretty much homeless.”
But, he said, things turned around with The Salvation Army.
“There’s nothing really out there for single fathers in Northern California, so when I heard what The Salvation Army had in Lodi, I wanted to see if I could get in,” he said. “I’m grateful that I did. We had a room and food while I got my stuff together. Now, I just found work as a tow truck driver and I live in my own place in Galt. I’m blessed; they [The Salvation Army] were there to help. They gave me what I needed and referred me to resources to help me land my job. If it weren’t for them, I would still be on the streets.”
Nearly 300 guests who attended the dinner heard Phillip’s testimony.
“With those single parents units, we’re going to help a lot of families along the way,” Ross said. “Phillip is just the beginning.”
The event included a dinner prepared by the Hope Harbor Culinary Arts Program, a silent auction and the installation of advisory board officers.
“This dinner is not only about stories of changed lives, but the people who came alongside us to make it happen,” Ross said. “Whether it’s our new board officers or the folks in attendance, people should leave this event knowing that anyone can make a difference.”
