Listen to this article
A message from the Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries:
Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder: Hello, everyone, we’re Commissioners Ken and Jolene Hodder, territorial leaders for the USA Western Territory of The Salvation Army. People know a great deal about what The Salvation Army does in communities across the West. They know about our programs for youth. They know about our programs for the homeless, but not many people know that The Salvation Army also meets the needs of senior citizens. We have 37 independent living residences that provide quality housing and supportive services for more than 3,000 individuals.
Commissioner Jolene K. Hodder: Today we’re at one of those facilities in Redondo Beach (California). We’ve been delivering hot meals to the rooms as well as just spending a little bit of time conversing with our seniors, letting them know how much they are loved and appreciated. We’d like to show you just a short clip.
Athena Murano: Good morning, Myron. How are you?
Myron: Fine, thank you. How are you?
Athena Murano: Bringing you your lunch today. How’s everything? You have everything you need?
My name is Athena. I’m the resident manager for our retirement home here. We have 49 independent apartments here for those 62 and above. Quite a few of our residents are in their eighties and nineties.
Hi Ann.
Ann: Hi. Well, thank you.
Athena Murano: We’ve got your paper and your lunch today.
Ann: Oh, how wonderful.
Athena Murano: So how are you holding up through all this craziness?
Ann: I’m doing just fine.
Athena Murano: Good. You’ve got everything you need?
Ann: I do.
Athena Murano: We’ve been visiting them, bringing them food and toilet paper and just making sure that their needs are met and they really appreciate that. Not only do they appreciate the food and the supplies, but they appreciate the prayer and the companionship and just knowing that we care and that we are here for them and checking on them.
Speaker 7: Yes. Thank you for caring.
Athena Murano: Can we pray for you?
Speaker 7: Yes.
Athena Murano: Makes me feel good to know that we’re meeting the needs of our seniors in our community and I love what The Salvation Army is doing for them.
Jolene K. Hodder: We went to thank Athena and her team and all of The Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers around this great territory of ours who reach out to our seniors.
Kenneth G. Hodder: It’s important to keep in mind that The Salvation Army has an integrated mission. We’re called to meet physical needs, but also to meet spiritual and social needs. In that sense, there is no organization better prepared to meet the needs of this coronavirus crisis like The Salvation Army.
Kenneth G. Hodder: But we need your support to do even more. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see ways by which you can volunteer for The Salvation Army and by which you can give financial donations that will help us provide what seniors need right now here in the United States. Thank you for your support and God bless you.
HOW TO HELP:
- If you’d like to make a monetary donation, please click here to make a gift.
- Text ‘GIVE’ to 52000 to make a $10 donation to The Salvation Army. This will automatically add a one-time donation to your next mobile phone bill.
- For information about volunteering, please visit volunteer.usawest.org.
- To learn more about how to support The Salvation Army’s relief efforts, please click here.
