Salvation Army Auxiliary, Founded In 1968, Has Growing Role, Impact
Salvation Army Auxiliary, Founded In 1968, Has Growing Role, Impact
Posted
Carol Anders-
Salvation Army Auxiliary, Founded In 1968, Has Growing Role, ImpactThe first handful of woman who were asked to form The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary in February, 1968 could never have envisioned the impact they could make in the lives of people in the community.
By March of that year, they were fully approved by the Indianapolis office of the Salvation Army and began seeking out new members and raising the funds to help those in need. Maize Alexander was the first organizer in the Warsaw area.
According to information compiled in what appear to be membership reports, the membership grew to 85 by November, 2012.
The first big fundraiser was held at the former Melloncamp Furniture Store, when among other items, they sold 96 pounds of pecans. Fast forward to 2017 and the auxiliary members presold orders for a variety of nuts and fruit and took delivery of 13,956 pounds, nearly seven tons, to fill the orders.
Thanks to an early member, Mrs. Eddie Creighton, the nuts were then and continue to be picked up in Illinois at the distribution point by Creighton Brothers drivers and delivered to the Center Lake pavilion.
This years’ presale orders, taken until Friday will likely take two days just to enter into computers to aide in distribution on Nov. 15-16 .
The current budget of the auxiliary for funding a number of programs is $38,000. Just one of the endeavors is to provide shoes for school children as well as adults who need special shoes for employment.
Salvation Army staff Major Trish Welch and Social Services Director Ken Locke said the need for people to be able to work is vital. Locke said, “We verify that there is an offer of employment for an applicant here and then help our clients who need special work shoes in order to begin on a job.” Welch indicated that there are a number of clients who have to have steel-toed work boots or skid-proof shoes before they can start a job. Welch said, “By helping with just a pair of shoes, we can get people working and then taking care of themselves and their families.”
Last year alone, they helped 274 children to get school shoes and 243 adults with vouchers for special work shoes. She said they take referrals throughout the year as well as the beginning of the school year from school nurses if there are unusual circumstances for needs.
Locke said, “This is a win-win for our clients and the community to fill the need for employees by our businesses and factories. Additionally, our long-term goal is to stay in touch with those we have helped to be able to start work to help them with budgeting their money.”
The Salvation Army Auxiliary and staff welcome any questions about their outreach.
