The Most Amazing Race 2012

SECOND PLACE: The Nearly Weds

THIRD PLACE: Late Start

FIRST PLACE: Team Custom Mail Solutions

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE PAID

RALEIGH, NCPERMIT NO. 32

The Salvation Army215 South Person StreetRaleigh, NC 27601-7584

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE PAID

RALEIGH, NCPERMIT NO. 32

The Salvation Army215 South Person StreetRaleigh, NC 27601-7584

THE SALVATION ARMY 215 South Person Street Raleigh, NC 27601-7584

be a SHIELDServing all of Wake County Since 1887

SEPTEMBER 2012

More information can be found online at www.KeepTheBellRinging.org.

DATES TO REMEMBERSeptember 28-30: Weekend of Prayer & Fasting for Victims of Sexual Trafficking

October 6 & November 10: Winter Coat Giveaway

October-December: Flag Football at Community Center (ages 7-12)

October 22-27: Christmas Cheer Registration

November 21: Kettle Kickoff

November 23: Angel Trees at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center & Cary Towne Center

December 18-20: Toy Distribution

Be a SHIELD this Holiday Season: CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Christmas is just around the corner! Last year we distributed toys and gifts to over 7,800 children, thanks to your generous support. And we need your help again as we bring the joy of Christmas to Wake County children. Here’s how you can help:

ANGEL TREE CLIENT REGISTRATION: Help families register to be a part of our Angel Tree program. Volunteers will interview clients and input their personal data into our computers. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Basic computer skills are required. October 22-27, 8:30-3:30pm

HOLIDAY BELL RINGERS: Represent the Army at area stores in the community by ringing the bell to collect donations. Be a part of this esteemed holiday tradition — great for groups, civic clubs, families, churches and more. November 21-December 24

CHRISTMAS CHEER DISTRIBUTION: Assist families in collecting their Christmas gifts during our distribution days. Help parents “shop” for toys in our Toy Shop or come in the evening to help restock the Toy Shop for the next day. December 18-20

STUFF STOCKINGS: Each child that is registered for our Angel Tree program receives an age-appropriate stocking. We need YOU to pickup empty stockings, fill them with goodies, and return them to us for December distribution. Great idea for groups! A list of suggested items can be provided.

ADOPT AN ANGEL: Buy gifts for a child or for a whole family in our community. Angels can be picked up at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center and Cary Towne Center. To adopt a large quantity of angels, groups may contact us directly. Volunteers are also needed to work the Angel Tree stations at the malls. November & December

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lizzy Adams, if you are interested in signing up or getting more information about any of these activities. 919-834-6733 x207 or lizzy.adams@uss.salvationarmy.org

be a SHIELD SEPTEMBER 2012

On Saturday, August 25, The Salvation Army held its first-ever Most Amazing Race event, a scavenger hunt/adventure-style race in downtown Raleigh, presented by Wells Fargo. Patterned after CBS’s wildly popular show “The Amazing Race,” 17 teams of two were tasked with physical and mental challenges at 12 different locations throughout downtown. Moving among local landmarks, including Cameron Village, The NC History Museum, Marbles Kids Museum, and Krispy Kreme, each team kept their eyes on winning the grand prize of $2500 cash!

Teams had to raise at least $250 to be eligible to participate, with all funds going to the Community Center’s programs for at-risk youth. Conquering the mental and physical challenges awaiting them at each destination, the teams had a ton of fun while doing the most good! Together the 17 teams raised a total of $15,525 — we are so grateful for their hard work and perseverance.

The first place team won $2500, presented by Baker Roofing Company. Second and Third place prizes included $100 Cameron Village gift certificates and two free nights at Marriott hotels. Congratulations to the winners!

We would also like to thank the event sponsors, including Baker Roofing Company, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Captrust, Waste Industries and many others.

GIVING COUPON

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Most Good by making a gift to

The Salvation Army of Wake County.

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TO MAKE A GIFT BY CREDIT CARD, please call toll free 1-800-SAL-ARMY or visit KeepTheBellRinging.org. We do not rent, sell, or exchange mailing or email lists.

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www.KeepTheBellRinging.org

7th Annual International WEEKEND OF PRAYER & FASTING FOR VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING

The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Project FIGHT (Freeing Individuals Gripped by Human Trafficking) continues to help restore the lives of victims of human trafficking in North Carolina. Since its inception in August of 2011, case managers with Project FIGHT have seen over 22 cases, and have assisted 38 individuals.

As part of the 7th International Weekend of Prayer & Fasting for Victims of Sex Trafficking on September 23-25th, churches and volunteers from around the community are coming together to generate awareness about human trafficking and to pray for those that are affected by this hidden crime. On Sunday, September 30th at The Salvation Army’s church building on Wake Forest Road, youth groups from around the community will gather to learn about Project FIGHT and human trafficking happening in our community, and to pray for victims and an end to human trafficking here and around the world.

Join us in prayer and fasting during this very important weekend. To learn more about Project FIGHT and to get more resources to help guide your prayer weekend, visit www.keepthebellringing.org. Want your youth group to participate in the event on September 30th? Email us at info@keepthebellringing.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: THE CUPCAKE LADYBy: Lizzy Adams, Volunteer & Resource Coordinator

A few years ago, Judy Strickland was not having a good day. Her thoughtful husband, Joe, surprised her with a trip to a local cupcake store. Judy was elated! The beautiful colors, intricate decorations, wonderful smell: she loved it all – not to mention, they’re delicious. “It made my day!” says Judy. “I thought if I could just do that for another person…how wonderful!” That’s what Judy did. She began making cupcakes and giving them out to local fire stations, post offices, libraries and so on. While watching TV one night, a story about a mother and daughter living in The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Shelter came on. “They showed the little girl in line to get food, and it hit me. The Lord spoke to me right then and said, “Take your cupcakes there.”

Two years and over 6,000 cupcakes later, Judy, now known as “The Cupcake Lady” to those involved with The Salvation Army of Wake County, has faithfully come to the Shelter every Monday night to serve these wonderful treats to the women and children. “They don’t have as much as they want of a lot of things. So I let them have as many cupcakes as they want!” Her generous and warm spirit brings

light into the lives of so many. Every cupcake comes with a scripture card. She tries to customize the cards for what the mothers and children might be dealing with at the time…a sick child, employment challenges, and problems at school. “I love hearing, this is just what I needed,” says Judy.

Judy states that she still gives out cupcakes to a few other organizations here and there, but that The Salvation Army has become her main focus.

“I’m so happy that it is Christ centered; there are not many of those organizations left.” When complimented on her efforts, Judy claims, “All the glory to God! Through something as simple as a cupcake, He shows His love and care for those people. He gave me this ministry, and as it’s said, Little is much when God is in it.”

THANK YOU, CUPCAKE LADY!

The Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope: CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

As The Salvation Army is celebrating its 125th year in Wake County, we are also getting ready to begin a new phase of expanding our services to the community! Construction is underway for the new Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope facility, and great progress is being made as we renovate an old building that will bring new hope to those in need throughout Wake County. Set to open in March of 2013, the new facility will triple the number of beds in the Women & Children’s Shelter, house a new Dental Clinic, and allow for the expansion of our other vital community services.

You can still give to the Campaign for Hope and help us build it! Visit www.buildingthecenterofhope.org for updates, pictures and more information on what the Center of Hope will provide for Wake County.

A Letter FROM THE MAJOR“Booth led boldly with his big bass drum! Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” With this percussive alliteration, the American poet, Vachel Lindsay, began the first stanza of his classic poem entitled, General William Booth Enters Into Heaven. The poem goes on to describe William Booth leading his band of misfit converts around Heaven’s courthouse square and right up to the very feet of Jesus, where, as Lindsay envisioned it, “Christ came gently with a robe and crown for Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down.”

His life’s mission and ministry fulfilled, General William Booth “laid down his sword” and received his Promotion to Glory on August 20, 1912. Observing the centenary of Booth’s promotion to Glory is not a morbid reflection on what has been lost, and not necessarily an historical marker for acknowledging what has been done. Rather, it is encouragement to today’s Soldiers and Salvationists that we, too, should fight to the very end.

There are many quotes that I could reprint here to encourage our readers to “keep fighting” and to “keep running the race.” Jim Valvano said, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews, said, “Let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us.” In the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, Aesop taught us, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

While it may seem that society is often divided into “sprinters” and “marathoners,” Scripture reminds us that “the race isn’t to the swift.” It’s an important life lesson for us to learn that we must complete what we start. In order to win the race, we must finish the race.

And so this month The Salvation Army of Wake County is observing the life and ministry of its founder, William Booth, but we are also pressing ahead with 21st Century innovation and energy with fundraising activities like The Most Amazing Race. To all of our supporters, sponsors and volunteers, and particularly to those who competed in The Most Amazing Race, I thank you and challenge you to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Blessings,

Major Pete Costas, CORPS OFFICER