Most of us are familiar with the bell ringers collecting money for the Salvation Army around Christmas. Are you aware of all that the Salvation Army does year round? Just to name a few, the Salvation Army helps people pay utility bills, feeds and shelters the homeless, offers rehabilitation to alcoholics and drug addicts, and aids in disaster relief. Right now SA is doing what it can to stop Human Trafficking - a horrifying reality in today's world (Please take the time to read about this on their home page).
Just to give you a little history, the Salvation Army began with a Methodist minister who believed that to feed a person spiritually, you needed to also take care of their emotional and physical needs also.
I had the privilege of working as a social worker for the Salvation Army for two years. When I saw a need for school supplies for the children of the community I was living in, they said "go for it", and sent me to Wal-Mart to purchase the basic supplies the children needed. I was given the responsibility to assist those in need with financial assistance. Not only was I often audited by my supervisors, they were audited by their supervisors and then by outside auditors. When you donate to the Salvation Army, you can be sure that the money is going where you intend it to.
You can go anywhere in the world where there is a need, and you will probably find the Salvation Army doing whatever it can to assist. Please remember this wonderful organization not just at Christmas, but year round.
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