The Warsaw Rotary Club met Friday for the 50th Annual Warsaw Rotary Salvation Army Day. According to a press release from the club, it raised $42,103.96 to support the Salvation Army’s outreach in Kosciusko. The originator and chairman of the event for 49 years, however, was not present and was honored for his efforts in the spirit of Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Seventy-one years ago, N. Bruce Howe Jr. was serving in Europe in the U.S. Army. Going into France on the day after D-Day, he found himself and his unit in the midst of the now famous Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Allied forces pushed the Germans back. Howe was awarded a field promotion to first sergeant and five battle stars by 1945, according to the release. He returned to Winona Lake after the war and continued a career in gospel music publishing with Homer Rodeheaver and later Word Publishing. Howe was inducted into the Warsaw Rotary Club as a member April 11, 1952, and met Brigadier Brice Phillipson of The Salvation Army, beginning a close relationship between the two men. Howe served as president of the club from July 1959 to June 1960. In December 1965, Howe decided to honor his friend with “Brice’s Day” to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s “Tree of Lights” campaign. That year was the 100th anniversary of The Salvation Army’s founding in 1865 in the east end of London, England. Howe loved to call Phillipson “the General” and was deeply moved by his faith and love for Jesus and his service to others. A little over $800 was raised that first year, and Phillipson was moved by the efforts of the Warsaw Rotary Club. Phillipson died in 1974 but Howe never forgot his friend, changing the event to “Brice Phillipson Day”. The Warsaw Rotary Club has had a long relationship with The Salvation Army with members serving on its advisory board since it came to Warsaw in 1921. The first Rotary Toy Day was in 1927, collecting toys for the Christmas outreach. “Brice Phillipson Day” continued to grow over the years until 1990 when it was decided to change the name of the event to “Phillipson-Howe Day” in honor of Howe’s 25th anniversary of chairing the event. Rotarian John Hall, life member of The Salvation Army advisory board, joined Howe as the co-chair of the fundraiser that was eventually changed in 2004 to “Warsaw Rotary/ Salvation Army Day” as it is known today. The December 1999 event was highlighted with Howe being presented with the highest award that can be bestowed to a volunteer of The Salvation Army. He accepted the “William Booth Award” with his wife, Ann, looking on in front of the club. He is the only person to receive this award in Kosciusko County. Howe previously received the “Others” Award years earlier from the Army. In December 2011, it was estimated that Warsaw Rotary Club raised over $1 million for The Salvation Army over 46 years (an average of $21,800 per year). “(Howe) gave to so many different causes and who knows how many $2 bills and $1 coins he has given to others, especially children over the years,” noted John Hall, chairman of the event. “Remember when you pass Center Lake Park in December, the beautiful display began with the generous donation of Bruce and Ann of their lights and decorations that used to adorn their beloved Dream Lake that thousands went to see each Christmas season,” Ken Locke, co-chairman said. “Bruce loved to tell others, “I love life.” Commissioner Ken Baillie attended the meeting representing The Salvation Army headquarters in Indianapolis that helps oversee the operation of the Corps and Community Center. “I commend the Warsaw Rotary Club for their support of the mission of The Salvation Army. Your giving has insured all these years and today that we can reach out to those in need, not only at Christmas but throughout the year,” he said. Donations are still being accepted for this anniversary celebration. Checks made payable to The Salvation Army can be sent to the Warsaw Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1473, Warsaw, IN 46581.
