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THE SALVATION ARMY GASTONIA, NC

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Page 1: THE SALVATION ARMY GASTONIA, NC · 2017-03-28 · The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on

THE SALVATION ARMY GASTONIA, NC

Page 2: THE SALVATION ARMY GASTONIA, NC · 2017-03-28 · The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on

Dear Friends,

“You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.” General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army.

No person should have to know what hunger feels like, to experience another night sleeping in the streets, or to explain to their children why there is no power at home. The Salvation Army is committed to helping those with the most need. We provide hope for families and individuals in crisis.

Individuals who come to The Salvation Army for help need more than food or shelter. Often, they are seeking spiritual support and comfort. In the pages of this annual report, you will read stories of people who came to The Salvation Army in their most challenging times. Your support and prayers help provide for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

The programs of The Salvation Army in our community have only been possible with your generosity. Thank you. Your wonderful support has provided countless residents a tangible expression of God’s love.

God bless you,

Captains Mark and Lorie Hunter

The 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.

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Only a few years ago, Diondra would not have said that a rewarding career was anywhere in her future. She was a dedicated student who paid attention, worked hard, and completed her assignments. Despite her efforts, though, she struggled in some areas – math, in particular. She continued to work hard but became more deeply frustrated when her grades did not seem to match her effort.

“My math was really bad,” she said. “I couldn’t understand anything that the teacher was telling us.”

Diondra began to wonder about what this would mean for her future. Like so many in her situation, she worried about her prospects for attending college and finding employment. Determined to succeed, she began to look for help.

Luckily, The Salvation Army was able to provide the help that she needed. At The Salvation Army’s Afterschool Reading and Math program, the teachers worked closely with her, giving her the extra attention that she needed to comprehend the skills and concepts she had previously not understood. She participated in the program for two years and after receiving her high school diploma, went on to pursue an associate’s degree from a local college. More than just educators, Diondra says that the teachers were truly concerned about her success and often provided support in other ways as well. Sometimes they helped with difficult decisions. Sometimes they just listened as Diondra talked about her struggles.

“They were more than teachers,” she said. “They helped me with life decisions – they were always there for us.”

The Salvation Army’s Afterschool Reading and Math Program began with two teachers and six students. Now, in its fourteenth year, the program has expanded to thirty students and six experienced educators. The goal of the program is to coach middle school students who are struggling in the classroom and have fallen behind. Students participate in two-hour sessions, free-of-charge, that begin promptly as school ends. The staff is intentional about creating an environment for learning that as warm and caring as it is structured. Most of the 400 students who have gotten help in the program are still in school or have received high school diplomas, are working or attending college or serving in the military.

Today, Diondra works as a chiropractor’s assistant in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She has enrolled in school to expand on her associate’s degree in order to advance her career. Ever determined, she also works part-time at a local department store in order to help pay for her education. She continues to thank The Salvation Army for the caring attention that she received as a student; it has helped her to succeed.

DIONDRA

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For most of his life, Jim just wanted to make a difference in the world.

As a child, Jim’s parents took time to explain how giving to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles meant that people who needed help the most would receive it. Every Christmas season he would remember these lessons and was sure to put money in the kettles when he could. The need was brought closer to home when his brother became homeless and required help from The Salvation Army to get back on his feet.

Around that same time, Jim had taken a new job as a truck driver and began hauling food to all corners of the United States. He enjoyed the travel but became frustrated when, for whatever reason, the customer did not accept the delivery. Because of the expense in transporting an unwanted load back to a warehouse, the company simply wanted Jim to dispose of the food. He still remembers the first time he realized he could make a big difference.

“The first thing I donated to The Salvation Army was 500 pounds of chicken breast. The company didn’t want to pay to bring it back so they said I could just get rid of it. The Salvation Army just stood out in my mind and I loved knowing that I could help people.”

As long as Jim was driving, this scene repeated itself every time a customer failed to accept a delivery. Jim would call the local office of The Salvation Army and arrange to deliver the food where it was needed. Over the years, Jim has provided tons of food for the individuals and families most in need.

However, after losing his job, Jim began to experience his own difficulties that eventually exhausted his resources and left him without a place to live. He spent a number of weeks living in his car, until the coldest night of the year made him realize he needed help. It was New Year’s Day when he arrived at the shelter.

“I started my year off right at The Salvation Army,” Jim smiles as he recalls that day, “And I built everything from there.”

A short stay at the shelter enabled Jim to get back on his feet. He made lifelong friends during his stay and even helped them by driving them from the shelter to various job sites. Jim was able to quickly reestablish himself and wanted to do what he could to give back to people who had become like family. Just a few months after leaving the shelter, he went back to serve. This time he brought a group of young people from a church he had recently started attending. The kids were able to give back in a powerful way that will impact them for years to come, much like the way learning about The Salvation Army had an impact on Jim. Today, he continues to give back and to help people who find themselves in situations similar to his.

“I was very fortunate.” Jim says, knowingly, “But there are a lot of people who have been a lot less fortunate than I was – who are still in the predicament and those are the people I want to reach.”

JIM

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GASTONIA, NC107 S. Broad St. Gastonia, NC 28052 phone: 704-867-6145

Center of Hope Emergency Shelter107 S. Broad St. Gastonia, NC 28052

Boys and Girls Club of Gaston County715 N. Main St. Lowell, NC 28098

salvationarmycarolinas.org/gastonia

PERSONS SERVED15,774

MEALS SERVED58,161

LODGING19,562

GROCERY ORDERS7,327

TOYS & GIFTS9,732

ABOUT US

Adult Program Services

Disaster Services

Emergency Assistance

Housing/Residence Services

Youth Services Worship Services

Older Adult Services

Lincoln and Gaston CountiesSERVING

SERVICES

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Total $1,778,365

Corps Community Center | $510,160

Social Services | $1,072,018

Fund Raising | $150,210Management & General | $45,977 Total | $1,711,437

Supported in part by the United Way

Government & Funding Agencies | $146,544

Special Events and Other Revenue | $212,705

Donations | $1,352,188

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We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to every Advisory Board member. Thank you for bringing your passion, intellect, insight, experience and resources to The Salvation Army. Your service and leadership are essential in changing the lives of people in our communities.

ADVISORY BOARDLisa Lane Chairperson

Wayne Grubaugh Boys & Girls Club Advisory Council Chairperson

Mike Shipman Finance Committee Chairperson

Jim Stewart Property Committee Chairperson

Dan AyscueTerry BradleyRick DavisGary FosterWilliam Joles

Ron PantusoDan RatchfordThomas KakassyRobert Weeks, JrLes Davis

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SalvationArmyCarolinas.org/support

The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, is one of the world’s largest and oldest providers of social services. Each year in the United States, your donations enable The Salvation Army to serve nearly 30 million people in need.

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The Salvation ArmyNorth and South Carolina Division

salvationarmycarolinas.org/gastonia