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Denver women gather for fellowship and work to help others.
Major Ruth Sundin cuts ribbon at The Salvation Army Dress-A-Child event in Aurora, Colo. |
This year, the Denver Metro Women’s Auxiliary celebrated its 20th year of holding a summer fellowship retreat at the Intermountain Division’s High Peak Camp in Estes Park, Colorado.
Special guest, Major Ivy Hood, territorial secretary for women’s auxiliaries and for community care ministries, developed the theme “Ties that Bind,” exploring the ties women form with families, friends and faith. She remarked: “There was such a spirit of unity and purpose at this retreat. It was obvious in all that took place that this group of women sincerely cared about one another…their friendships extended beyond the auxiliary activities. It was also evident that their service to the community through the auxiliary was an important priority for all of them. Friendship and purpose are the ties that bind this auxiliary together.”
Camp activities included a ribbon ceremony conducted by Colonel Joy Church, who together with auxiliary members initiated the annual camp retreat in 1987. Auxiliary Member Gini Schneider, who has attended the camp each year, received a 20-year ribbon.
Other activities involved creating crafts that will be sold at the upcoming Holiday Festival and Doll Tea. Guest musicians, The Stompers, provided entertainment.
During the summer the Denver women also participated in The Salvation Army’s Dress-A-Child program, which helped 220 children prepare for school. Each child received a $100 back-to-school shopping spree. Proceeds raised at last season’s Holiday Festival helped clothe these needy children from the Denver area. Two hundred volunteers assisted the kids in choosing new clothes for school.
Another summer highlight was the alumni reunion of auxiliary members who were unable to attend the annual camp at High Peak. Joan Maclachlan, alumni luncheon chair, displayed memorabilia from previous camps. Each guest at the luncheon received a video filled with priceless memories. Colonels George and Joy Church, both present at the first camp, video filled with priceless memories. Colonels George and Joy Church, both present at the first camp, participated in the celebration. Mike Shepard, who was divisional youth secretary when the camp was founded, was also on hand and re-created his “Indian presentation,” bringing back many happy memories.
Major Jeanne Baker, Intermountain divisional women’s ministries secretary, delighted guests with her chalk drawing of the Grist Mill—a landmark at High Peak. The drawing will be part of the silent auction at the upcoming Holiday Festival, November 2-4, 2006.