January 2014 | THEGOOD | STLSalvationArmy.org

January 2014STLSalvationArmy.org

The tree of Lights Campaign: Lighting the way for others

The sky was illuminated Nov. 22 when fireworks exploded over the downtown skyline as part of The Salva-tion Armys Tree of Lights Kick-off. Thousands of people filled Kiener Plaza for the annual lighting of the Christ-mas tree as part of the event, signifying the beginning of the holiday season.

The 2013 campaign officially kicked off Nov. 7 with the Tree of Lights luncheon, which welcomed former Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes as the guest speaker. The luncheon was held at Hyatt Regency at the Arch and welcomed hundreds of St. Louis business representatives, civic leaders, and Salvation Army supporters.

The Tree of Lights symbolizes the most important fundraising campaign of the year for the Army. Monies raised during this time provide Christmas cheer for indi-viduals, families, and children by way of gifts under the tree, hot food on the dinner table, and much more. Funds are also used for Doing the Most Good throughout the year for the Armys various programs and services. More than 60 percent of the Armys annual operating budget comes from the Tree of Lights campaign.

Tree of Lights continues through Jan. 31, but the benefits from this campaign will last a lifetime. We must meet our goal of $6.3 million in order to continue provid-ing the programs and services so many rely on to survive. A donation to the Armys Tree of Lights will mean food for those who go to bed hungry every night; the resources to help break the habits that have prevented a normal life; a safe, warm place to sleep; and so much more.

To learn how you can support the Tree of Lights cam-paign, please visit www.STLSalvationArmy.org.

Unlikely guests at community

lunchPAGE 11

Mother, son reunited after

36 yearsPAGE 6-7

Santa Claus came to Granite City

and stayedPAGES 5

In this issue

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OUR MISSIONThe Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDST. LOUIS, MO

PERMIT NO 1261

General Andr Cox, International Leader Commissioner Paul R. Seiler, Territorial CommanderMajor Lonneal Richardson, Divisional CommanderMajor Patty Richardson, Director of Womens MinistiresDeborah Tansil Graham, Executive Director of DevelopmentAshley Kuenstler, Editor, The Good

@SalArmySTL

Connect with us :

/SalArmySTL

The Good is published quarterly by The Salvation Army Midland Division for its friends and supporters. For questions or feedback, please call 314-646-3072.

Clockwise from top left: The Salvation Army tree is lit during the annual Christmas celebration at Kiener Plaza; Mike Elam - St. Charles alderman and radio personality - addresses the crowd dur-ing the St. Charles Tree of Lights Kick-off; The Salvation Army ensemble plays at the St. Louis Outlet Mall; former Blues defense-man Jamie Rivers supports the Army during the St. Charles Kick-off; and former Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes speaks with a Marine and Major Lonneal Richardson during the St. Louis Kick-off.

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The Salvation Army1130 Hampton AveSt. Louis, MO 63139

Christmas is over but the need of our friends and neighbors is greater than ever.

The Tree of Lights Campaign continues through Jan. 31 and you still have time to

make a difference. www.OnlineRedKettle.org

STLSalvationArmy.org

You still have time

January 2014 | THEGOOD | STLSalvationArmy.org January 2014 | THEGOOD | STLSalvationArmy.org2 3

Light is essential in our day-to-day lives. Even in the smallest amounts, it banishes the darkness and allows us to see, to hope, and to live.The Salvation Armys Tree of Lights campaign is no different. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people rely on the donations received

during this time to light their personal darkness, to give them hope for a better tomorrow. The Tree of Lights continues through Jan. 31, but the benefits from this campaign will last a lifetime. Your generous donations will mean

food for those who go to bed hungry every night; the resources to help break the habits that have prevented a normal life; a safe, warm place to sleep; and so much more.

For all those people who live their lives in darkness, your gift this holiday season will provide the light at the end of the tunnel theyve been desperately searching for.

Help us light the way.

A word from our divisional leaders in good company

God bless you,

Accenture is contributing a great deal in helping veterans at The Salvation Armys Midtown Veterans Residence through their Skills to Succeed initiative. The initiative works with veterans through an educational curriculum, helping them to return to the workforce as they adjust to civilian life and establish a life-long career path. Skills to Succeed initiative plans to globally equip 500,000 by 2015 with the skills to retain a job or build a business. The Accenture office in St. Louis also donates both time through volunteerism and monetary resources through a cash donation.

For close to 30 years, Ron and Midge Krueger have wholeheartedly committed their time, talents, and resources to The Salvation Army and its mission in the St. Louis region. Co-CEO of Wehrenberg Theatres the last family-owned theater chain in the country Ron Krueger has opened the doors of his St. Louis-area theaters to The Salvation Army for its annual Cans Film Festival. Forfeiting profits from box office sales, patrons are invited to see a matinee movie for a five-can donation to The Salvation Army. From its humble beginnings in 2004, Cans Film Festival has collected more than 2 million cans for St. Louis families. Ron a life-member of the St. Louis Regional Advisory Board and Midge a life-member of the Womens Auxiliary have dedicated a sizeable portion of their time to The Salvation Army. Theyve given more than $720,000 in corporate donations and close to $150,000 in personal donations.

The late Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff have made a monumental impact on those served by The Salvation Army. Before their passing, the couple believed in a philanthropic way of life and were involved with almost two dozen charitable organizations. They acted as a voice for St. Louis-area children in need and made helping children their passion. The Wolffs left a planned gift to The Salvation Army of more than $2 million. This general endowment helps The Salva-tion Army continue to do the most good in St. Louis year after year and assists many children as well as adults every day. The Salvation Army expresses its thanks to the late Alan A. Wolff and the late Edith L. Wolff for their generous contribution.

Since 2008, Bank of America has focused a great deal on addressing hunger. This year in St. Louis, Bank of America made a generous donation to the feeding programs at The Salvation Armys 12 community centers. They recognize that hunger affects not just the unemployed and homeless but also families, the elderly, and children.

Friends,

Major Patty RichardsonDivisional Director of Womens Ministires

Major Lonneal RichardsonDivisional Commander

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a good investment as good as gold

Pathway of Hope breaks povertys grip on families Santa Claus came to town and decided to stayImagine this:

Growing up, your mom struggled to pay the bills every month. While your dad continued an endless search for a decent paying job, she was constantly on the phone with angry collection agencies demanding a minimum payment that neither parent could make.

Dinner on the table was never a guarantee and you felt constantly inadequate at school because of your circumstances; school supplies and clothes were never bought off the shelf. And since basic needs were hardly met at home, mental, emotional and spiritual development suffered as a result.

Later in life, the roles are switched. You are the stressed parent, struggling to break free from the poverty cycle in order to shape a better future for your own children.

Breaking povertys grip on a family is a daunting and seemingly impossible task in some cases, but The Salvation Army has a new program to help people do just that.

Pathway of Hope a long-term case management program aims to eradicate the grip of poverty on St. Louis families through one-on-one counseling, life skills training, and resources specifically designed for a familys unique situation. Caseworkers seek out deep connec-tions with program beneficiaries in order to pinpoint the root causes of poverty within the home and build hope at each step of the process toward independence.

Relatively new in St. Louis, the program has already yielded great success, especially in the life of Ramona, a single mother living in East St. Louis. In August, Ramona found herself living in a shelter with two of her five children.

I was a mess. Nothing had went right for me and I just felt like the entire world was against me, she said. I was depressed. I thought I was on my own.

And then Ramona met Arvetta, a Pathway of Hope caseworker at the East St. Louis Worship and Community Center. The two talked intensely about what goals Ramona wanted to accomplish and then they put a plan together.

From the beginning she was a friend. She wasnt just hearing what I was saying, she was listening. I could tell she genuinely cared about me and my kids, Ramona said.

The two met regularly and put a plan in place to first find Ramona a job and help her with the skills to keep it. Once that was tackled, they worked together to find her housing and later a car. In three months, Ramona is hardly recognizable from the woman who first came to The Salvation Army.

The great thing about Ramona is that she wanted to change. She had goals, she just needed some help with the steps to get there, Ar-vetta said. When I first met her, she exhibited signs of depression; but you cant get this woman to stop smiling now.

Ramona said the relationship she developed with Arvetta was an important component of the program.Im not close to my family, so I had to vent to

Arvetta. I left so many voicemails on her answer-ing machine, and she didnt mind; she genuinely cared about me. I wasnt just a name on a paper, she said. That support has led me to who I am today: a woman with a bright future and a smile on her face.

Ramonas next step is to go back to school and become a registered nurse. Her daughter has recently moved in, and Ramona is already working to get her involved with the program.

It started with me, and now I have to make sure my kids come through the same way, she said. Real change has to start somewhere.

To learn more about the Pathway of Hope pro-gram, please visit www.STLSalvationArmy.org. Ramonas progress in the Pathway of Hope program makes her jump for joy.

He doesnt don a red suit or a bushy beard, but by all ac-counts, Tom is Granite Citys personal Santa Claus.

His method of transportation may not be a reindeer-drawn sleigh, but for more than 40 years, Tom has used a simple box truck to deliver blessings to the Granite City Worship and Community Center.

After three tours in Vietnam, Tom was in his 20s and a disabled veteran. He started volunteering with The Salvation Army with his father, driving a truck to collect donations of all kinds.

I was supposed to just be filling in, but I never left, he said. I guess you could say I really enjoy what I do.

And what he does for the Granite City corps is immea-surable. In his 40 years of service, he has outlasted 15 trucks in his travels for the Army all but one he purchased with money from his own pocket. He now volunteers 5-6 days a week, sometimes 12-plus hours a day. He travels more than 400 miles per week, collecting food donations from area busi-nesses, picking up donations of furniture from donors, and more. He also distributes and collects the corps countertop red kettles, mows the grass, has built a storage shed, uses his former military service to coordinate with Toys for Tots, and even does minor electrical/plumbing work for the Army.

Ill basically do anything that needs to be done, he said. This world needs all the help it can get, and if we dont do it, no one will.

For Tom, his altruism with The Salvation Army extends to his family. His wife also volunteers when she has the time, and the couples children, grandchildren, and current foster children can also be seen lending a helping hand.

Giving back is important in our family, he said. I give back to help Gods people. The Salvation Army, to me, does it better than anyone around. They dont judge you, they dont care what you look like. They just want to help. And thats something I can get behind.

Tom is so devoted to his service that not even a broken neck can slow him down.

One time, I fell off my truck and broke my neck on a Wednesday; I was back out driving by Friday, he said. Ive survived three heart-attacks, two lights strokes, and a broken neck, and Im still kicking. I figure when the Lord is ready, hell take me. But for now, I think this is what he wants me to do with my time on this earth.

For Granite City corps officer Major Mary Hunt, Tom is invaluable to her corps.When he goes on vacation or is sick, it takes 2-3 people to do what he does by himself, she said. We cant afford to pay someone; we have

a hard time making payroll with the 2.5 employees we have. Everyone in the community knows Tom and everyone likes him. I dont know what wed do without him.

Even when my grandkids come to visit, they want to go to his house to play. He is great to be around no matter your age and just invaluable to The Salvation Army and the work we do.

I honestly dont know what wed do without him.

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together at last Myshelle remembers vividly the moment nurses placed her

crying newborn son in her arms, meticulously examining every perfect feature from head-to-toe and instantly falling in love with him. She knew he deserved all the best life had to offer, and as a result, it was the first and only time she would know what it felt like to hold him.

Myshelle was 14-years-old when she learned she was preg-nant. It was decided early that she would spend her pregnancy as a resident of The Salvation Armys Booth Home for Unwed Mothers in St. Louis. By the 1950s, 34 Booth homes typi-cally named after Evangeline Booth, the first female general of The Salvation Army existed throughout the United States. They were run under the guidance of a Salvation Army officer and approved medical staff, including obstetricians and pedia-tricians.

In many cases, the women ultimately gave their newborn babies up for adoption, often on the advice of their families. The adoptions themselves were handled by professional adoption agencies; the

Armys role was to provide a safe, confidential place for the mothers to live during their pregnancy. During Myshelles time at the Booth home, she received constant prenatal care and regularly scheduled in-house visits by a doctor. She and the other girls were tutored so they could keep current on their studies. They occupied their time with table games, TV, crafts, and cooking.

I remember anything I needed was provided. There were plenty of good meals and other treats, and the nurses were always so kind and con-siderate, Myshelle said. Kindness always surrounded me during my entire experience at Booth.

Two weeks past her due date, Myshelle gave birth to a beautiful, healthy 8 lb. 15 oz. baby boy. After holding him for the first time, 14-year-old Myshelle made the decision to not hold him again.

I was told by the staff that I could hold him but that it may make it harder to give him away, she said. I was afraid that I wouldnt be strong enough to go through with it. I watched him through the window at the nursery every day, and I loved him with all of my heart. But it wasnt about me; it was about what was best for my baby boy.

Myshelle returned home six days later with a heavy heart and empty arms. She eventu-ally made new friends and made excellent grades, making the honor roll routinely just as she had before her pregnancy. She married her husband at 18 and the two have been married for 34 years with three children.

As Myshelles life moved forward, so did that of her son. He was adopted into a well-es-tablished home with two very loving parents, who were always open about his adoption and expressed their support should he ever want to reach out and make contact with his birth mother. They named him Jason, and he would grow up to marry and have three children of his own.

Although Myshelles life was full of love and family, her memories of the Booth home and of her son never left her mind or heart. Throughout the years, she would periodically send letters to the adoption agency reflecting her current phone number and work address should he ever desire to contact her.

I prayed and dreamed that I would hear from him someday, she said.And after 36 years, it happened. On Aug. 30, 2012, Myshelle received a phone call

from the adoption agency advising her that her son wished to make contact. For two weeks, she and Jason corresponded through email via an adoption specialist. As they waited for the court process to be completed that would allow them one-on-one contact, they found

each other on an adoption forum and Myshelle gave Jason her phone number. And on Sept. 15, 2012, Myshelle spoke to her son for the first time.

He told me that if he left his home early in the morning, he could be at my house by 10 a.m. the next day, she said. He asked if that was OK and I couldnt have said absolutely quick enough.

The next morning, Myshelle laid eyes on her son for the first time in 36 years. I will never forget watching him walk down my driveway, she said. I had prayed for and

loved him every day of his life and now I was finally able to hold him and love him in a way that I had so long been waiting to do.

For Jason, meeting Myshelle answered questions his heart had been asking for years.I found out that I have two brothers and a sister, several aunts and uncles, and numerous

cousins. My family grew overnight, he said. When I pulled up to the house and saw her in the driveway, there was no denying I was her son. We look exactly alike. I had often won-dered about my fair skin and freckles and where it came from, and I finally knew. There was no more passing a woman on the street and wondering, Could that be her?

Since their meeting, Jason and Myshelle have continued to foster and cultivate a beautiful relationship. They visit each other frequently and talk almost every day. They were able to obtain records from St. Louis city and county, as well as the adoption agency, but the most valuable documents came from The Salvation Army National Archive, including Jasons footprints and a detailed and intimate account of where Jasons life began. Nurses chronicled Myshelles entire labor and delivery, writing that Jason was a sloppy eater, he had a small indention on his forehead when he was born, and how at one point his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.

For other people, footprints when youre born is just another thing. Theyre just something they come across in an old photo album or stack of papers in the back of closet, Jason said. They, along with the accounts from nurses and doctors, provide an insight into the first few minutes and weeks of my life. And thats invaluable to me.

In June, Myshelle was able to meet Jasons parents, the people who were able to give her son the life she had dreamed for him.My long-awaited dream has now been fulfilled. I have loved this child with all my heart from the time he began to grow inside me, she said. I

am thankful The Salvation Army was able to give me a place to bring Jason into the world. We are all now one large family who gets to spend weekends and holidays together, sharing many stories and much love amongst each other, she

said. I am ever-so-grateful to be a part of his life and often question what I could have possibly done that was so pleasing in Gods eyes that he gave him back to me. We have expanded our kitchen table to seat us all, and I am finally able to hear my firstborn call me Mom. I couldnt ask for anything more.

Mother, son reunited after 36 years

January 2014 | THEGOOD | STLSalvationArmy.org January 2014 | THEGOOD | STLSalvationArmy.org8 9

The Salvation Armys Temple Worship and Community Center recently held its annual dinner. From left, St. Louis City Council alderman Craig Schmidt, Ward 20, visits with a guest; Justin Dickerson was named Volunteer of the Year and is joined on stage by Josh Kamer, Volunteer Manager, Deno Fabbre, president of the Temple Advisory Board, and Capt. Steve Diaz, Temple officer; and members of the local group Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes provide entertainment for the evening.

The Salvation Armys inaugural Mascot Bell-Ringing Day on Nov. 16 pitted students from competing high schools against each other in a friendly competition to see who could raise the most money ringing bells at our signature kettles. The Maplewood Blue Devils were declared the winner and recipient of the traveling kettle trophy. The Ha-zelwood East Spartans received a plaque for raising the most money through an online kettle. From left, Hazelwood Central Hawks; Riverview Rams; Hazelwood West Bob-cats; and Maplewood Blue Devils were among the participating schools.

Its all good Its all good

More than 65 employees from MasterCard descended on The Salva-tion Armys OFallon Worship and Community Center recently to weed, landscape, paint, build, mulch, and sort.

The Salvation Army was able to successfully com-mence the holiday season at the St. Louis Outlet Mall thanks to a generous donation from Lois Foster of Glen Carbon, Ill. Lois donated a 40-foot Blue Spruce tree, a mainstay in her front yard for the last 50 years. The tree was growing dangerously close to power lines, and instead of scrapping the tree, she decided to donate it to The Salvation Army. The tree was ceremoniously lit Nov. 15 as part of the Armys annual Tree of Lights Kick-off.

For the 21st year in a row, The Salvation Army hosted its annual Estate and Charitable Gift Planning Institute for attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, and other financial planners. The institute provides free, continuing education credits for estate and financial planners and is offered free-of-charge by The Salvation Army. The Army works closely with these professionals in order to ensure their clients charitable intents are acheived. This seminar is a way to keep professionals abreast on changes in the law and other developments in charitable-gift planning. This years seminar was attended by 320 local professionals.

The Salvation Armys annual tree-lighting at the St. Louis Outlet Mall was held Nov. 15 to signify the beginning of the Armys Tree of Lights Campaign. From left, The Salvation Army brass ensemble performs for a crowd of more than 100 people in attendance; firefighters from the Robertson Fire Protection District take a moment in front of the Christmas tree; Santa Claus arrives at the event via fire truck; and the Salva-tion Army provides hot chocolate and cookies to those in attendance. Children were able to dance with Radio Disney and play games before everyone joined in a countdown to light the tree.

Annual Temple Dinner Mascot Bell-ringing Day

MasterCard Volunteer Day Generous Tree Donation

Estate Planning Institute St. Louis Outlet Mall Tree Lighting

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Its all good

When Keith first walked into The Salvation Armys OFallon Community and Worship Center, it was because a judge told him he had to. A year later, hes still there because he wants to be. I had lost everything in my life because of choices I had made, Keith said. Coming here, I realized I actually did have something left to give. I wanted to make a difference. In 2012 after losing his drivers license, Keith was ordered to complete 40 hours of com-munity service, but The Salvation Army wasnt his first choice. After contacting three places and hearing only an automated voice on the other end, he finally reached out to The Salvation Army.

The first try, I talked to a real person, he said. I explained my situation, and they were respectful and very welcoming from the beginning.

For the next few months, Keith rode his bike to The Salvation Army and helped the cen-ter with its food pantry, sorting canned goods, organizing donations, and dispersing food. But when he had satisfied his community-service requirement, he kept coming back.

I guess I went from one addiction to another, he said. It went from alcohol to giving back in any way that I could.

Keith has now been a volunteer 3-4 days a week for more than a year. Hes taken advantage of the Bible study offered at the center and has worked diligently on strength-ening his faith. And he hasnt had a drink in almost two years.

My life was like a country song, he said. I lost my house, my business, my license, and I got robbed by my exs son. But I learned to lean on hope and faith. And I think Im a better person now because of it.

While Keith enjoys his slow-paced, altruistic lifestyle these days, he realizes he still has work to do in order to get the rest of his life back.

Im like a duck in water. I look pristine on the surface like I have everything together, but underneath, Im kicking and paddling and just trying to get from point A to point B, he said. Its taking me awhile, but I know Ill get to where I need to be.

Salvation Army among first to respond to Midwest twisters

Addicted to Making a Difference for others

Local couple finds joy in breaking bread with others

Its a level of excitement only reached once a year. You set out the cook-ies and milk for Santa Claus and his reindeer. You try to stay up all night to catch a glimpse of him tip-toeing through your house. You definitely wake up as early as possible to race into the living room to see what surprises he left for you under the tree.

But for thousands of children throughout St. Louis, that excitement and anticipation that swells on Christmas morning is not a reality.

The Salvation Army recently joined forces with Toys for Tots, and to-gether, the two agencies will work to ensure more children have a reason to look for gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

Were really excited about this partnership and what it will mean for area children, said Major Patty Richardson. We both want to help as many children as possible, and by combining our resources, well be able to do just that while streamlining the process and cutting costs. Both agencies want to be good stewards of those resources.

Toys for Tots will continue to collect toys as it has in previous years, with The Salvation Army handling the intake process to determine where the toys will be distributed.

Before, the toys were given to various organizations but the Marines were not able to determine that they always reached the children who were in the greatest need. That was a real concern for them, Major Richardson said. By working together and using our established assistance-intake process, The Salvation Army and Marines will be able to make sure that those toys are going into the hands of the children who need them most.

The partnership will also provide a larger inventory of toys a valuable resource, considering last year the need for Christmas assistance was so high that The Salvation Army ran out of toys to distribute during its annual Toy

Town event. For decades, The Salvation Army has operated Christmas-

assistance programs to provide toys and meal vouchers to strug-gling St. Louis families. Last year, the programs namely Angel Tree and Toy Town served close to 7,000 people. This year, the partnership collected more than 70,000 additional toys.

This partnership will be valuable not only during Christmas, but throughout the year, too, said Major Richardson. Well be seeing an inf lux of new clients through this venture who we can interact with, offer assistance with day-to-day needs, and provide other educational and recreational opportunities for families.

To learn how you can assist The Salvation Army in bringing Christmas to St. Louis children, please visit www.STLSalvationArmy.org.

New Partnership aims to give more kids a Merry Christmas

Dozens of people take advantage of the free community meal offered each week by the Belleville Worship and Community Center, but two of the regulars arent who you might expect.

Johnny and Gloria are consistent support-ers of The Salvation Army. They make mon-

etary donations both monthly and annually and Gloria donates her time with the womens auxiliary. The couple has the resources to eat wherever theyd like for lunch, but every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, youll find them at the free Belleville community lunch.

I grew up in a family where my mother instilled the desire to always help others. It was very important to all of us children, Gloria said. She always told me that it wasnt how much time or money you have, its how you spend it. And we choose to spend ours here.

Gloria has been a volunteer with The Salvation Army since the corps

opened in 1997. She has spent countless hours in the office, food pantry, and with the womens auxiliary. In 2006, she encouraged Johnny to visit the corps for the community meal.

He was recently retired and had a lot of free time, so I figured, Why not? she said.

And Johnny has been enjoying the fellowship and food ever since. The friend chicken is his favorite.

Ive made some real good friends and I always enjoy the food, he said. The people who come here are all very interesting and they all have their stories. I just really enjoy the fellowship. It helps that I like to talk.

The couple now spends three days a week at the corps, giving back to the community they have been a part of for most of their lives and enjoying a warm meal in the process.

People need to know that theyre not lost, that theyre not alone, Gloria said. There are people right here in their community who are happy to help in any way they can, even if its just to be quiet and listen.

We believe in The Salvation Army and their work and will continue to do what we can to help.

Only two hours after a devastat-ing tornado ravaged the area, The Salvation Armys Emergency Di-saster Services (EDS) was on scene in Washington County, Ill., to lend support to first-responders and those affected by severe weather through-out the Midwest on Nov. 17.

The Salvation Armys Midland Division in St. Louis dispatched a canteen to Washington County after it was reported a tornado had touched down in the community of New Minden where volunteers and EDS employees served drinks and meals to first-responders.

After serving those in New Minden, the canteen was dispatched to Massac County, Ill., to serve those impacted by a tornado in Brook-port. The canteen was stationed overnight at First Baptist Church as local authorities utilized the church as a command center.

According to the National Weather Service, more than 80 tornadoes were reported across the Midwest. Six people died in Illinois, accord-ing to authorities, and as many as 200 people were injured statewide. The National Weather Service in St. Louis determined that the New Minden tornado rated an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning it had winds of at least 166 mph.

The Salvation Army is working closely with local authorities and community agencies, continually assessing the needs of those affected. We are prepared to offer our support at a moments notice through financial assistance; finding shelter; offering spiritual support; and provid-ing food, water, and basic necessities.

Keith spends 3-4 days a week volunteering at the OFallon Worship and Community Center, primarily working in the corps food pantry like the over volunteers shown above.