Doors opened at 10am-last minute primping 10:05 and then it was time to parade their stuff. Current Miss Alabama, Courtney Porter, was our featured model for this year’s annual “Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show Fundraiser”. Along with volunteers, Ms. Porter displayed the latest clothing that the Salvation Army thrift store has to offer for men, women and children. All ages, sizes, and genders took the time to show off the many wonderful clothing options the thrift store has. Those models included members of our Women’s Auxiliary, Director of Women’s ministries Captain KAthy PArker, and our own Director of Development John Tidwell. There were goodie bags for the first 200 people who showed up, and 50 % off all clothing in the store. A lot of that apparel is some good stuff. Thanks to her for shining the light today. All proceeds go to our Adult Rehabilitation Center which houses a free alcohol or drug addiction program. Thanks to our radio sponsors from WDJC and 93.7 for their help spreading the word, and to The Birmingham Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, which is the third largest in the world by the way. They really make a difference in fund-raising efforts that change people’s lives. Stay tuned for more activity from their group as they celebrate 50 years of service in 2012, and thanks to all of you that came out in support of our efforts.
For all the pictures from the event click here.
As part of honoring veterans this week, The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary served drinks and snacks today at the Birmingham VA Hospital. Many organizations are recognizing those that have served our country, and our Women’s Auxiliary is proud to be a part of that. The Salvation Army has a long history of caring for our service members, going all the way back to the days of WWI with our famous doughnut lassies. Today we offer a range of veterans programs and services in our area. Every week the women in our auxiliary take the time to go and visit many veterans unable to leave the confines of the VA Hospital and our emergency shelter houses many veterans offering shelter, food, clothing and counseling. The Birmingham Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is celebrating their 50th year in 2012, and with over 600 members, it is still the 3rd largest in the world. Stay tuned for many more events as they celebrate this historic year in their history. Click here to see more pictures.
Food, fun and Four bands for $10. Can’t beat that. “Bikers & Rockers Tornado Relief Rally 2″ will take place this coming Sunday February 12th from 2pm until 8pm at Riders Harley-Davidson in Trussville. Featured music will be 4TH & ONE, Who Shot Lizzy, Redemption, and Outshine, with special guest Gip Gipson. “This should be a great time for the whole family,” Robby Northcut of ”Riders” told us. “We did this after last year’s tornadoes and it was big, we expect this one to be bigger.” So come on out Sunday and enjoy the festivities. All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Tornado Relief Fund. Tickets on sale now call 205-641-1465 or 205-655-1234. “Riders Harley Davidson” is located at 4750 Norrel Drive in Trussville.
Like so many, Clay resident Melissa Parsons was rattled out of bed Monday morning by an EF-3 tornado. She only had a second to react and then it all got loud. “As I awoke to the most horrific sound I have ever heard, I truly realized I was in trouble. Then all I remember is black.” Melissa had not made it three steps from her bed when she was thrown over 200 feet, landing inside of what was left of a neighbor’s house. Amazingly, she only had a few scratches and bruises. Immediately after the storms hit, The Salvation Army dispatched staff and volunteers to the Clay area to help so many that were in the midst of a confusing and deadly situation. Our first responders were able to offer physical and emotional support to hundreds of people. “Everyone has been so helpful, it’s incredible to see the response by agencies like The Salvation Army,” Melissa told us. We have handed out tarps, blankets and over 10,000 meals, drinks and snacks throughout Jefferson and Chilton counties. In cooperation with local churches and community organizations in the affected areas, we are referring donated supplies to “donation sites” already in place. Due to the effective and motivated response by those local agencies, there is not a need to open any warehouse of our own. However, The Salvation Army will be there for long-term needs through case work that will be available when necessary. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, monetary donations allow us to replenish funds spent for our initial response to all of the affected areas. The Salvation Army is thankful for your support to help folks like Melissa. For all information related to our relief efforts including donations and donation sites, go to our website and click on the tornado relief icon, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.
“Those that have been impacted are coping pretty well. They are just trying to get their arms around what has happened.” Area Commander Major Bob Parker got a chance to assess the need of those impacted by the recent tornado. He talked with many that survived and those helping with the clean-up effort. Many were thankful for The Birmingham Salvation Army and the availability of food and water immediately following the storms. “This is what we do,” said Major Parker. “We are going to be here for as long as we are needed, and do the very best that we can for them.” The Salvation Army has had up to six canteens, or mobile kitchens, spread out in all affected areas in Jefferson and Chilton counties. So far more than 1,000 meals have been served by volunteers and staff. They are also taking the time to help in any way possible for those trying to get through this crisis. The tornado may have left a large path of broken trees and structures, but survivors in this area are joined in putting this event behind them. We will be there every step of the way. For all information related to our relief efforts including donations, go to our website, www.birminghamsalvationarmy.org and click on the tornado relief icon. Stay tuned for more stories from those working in it, to those that survived it.
Tornado Response-Day #2
The Salvation Army is on the ground in Jefferson and Chilton Counties in Alabama offering physical, emotional, and spiritual care to survivors and relief personnel. Within the first two hours following the tornado, The Salvation Army was actively serving meals in multiple locations across Jefferson County. Our canteens served over 500 meals yesterday, including overnight to emergency personal and those working to clean up affected areas. We will be on-site at each of these locations as long as needed. At this time we are still evaluating our needs, but we don’t have a need for supplies. We are asking for monetary donations only to help with relief efforts. Go to our website for more information on that.
· Feeding units from Selma and Huntsville are serving in Maplesville.
· Feeding unit from Birmingham has set up at the Centerpoint Courthouse and been on-site since the storms hit.
· Feeding unit from Anniston has been serving essentials in Clay-specifically Paradise Valley subdivision.
· Feeding unit from Meridian, Miss. is in Oak Grove offering support in that area.
· A second canteen from Birmingham is also serving the Clay area, allowing it to be mobile and serve more people in the hard hit areas.
At this time we do NOT need donated supplies. However, monetary donations are
encouraged to pay for our intial response. Volunteers are encouraged to keep checking with us, but at this time our short term response is covered.
Click here to donate online
To donate through the mail send your check to: PO Box 11005 Birmingham, Al 35202. Make the check out to “The Salvation Army”.
Or bring your monetary donation to 2100 11th Ave. North between 8:30am and 4:00pm Monday -Friday.
Click here to see some pictures of our response
Can you believe it, it’s over, the angel tree program has ended for this year. It was sort of a roller coaster this season, with you the public coming through big on the final weekend. And because of that, we were able to hand out gifts for over 8,000 local children. Ya know though, it feels like it all just started. In October we signed ‘em up, in November we started adopting, and now, we literally hand it all out. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to get all of the items ready. A mountain of boxes has to be sorted just right, and it takes hard work to bring this all together. After waiting outside, parents got to come through and pick up their gifts. Angels that were adopted had several needs and one want for each child in their family. One by one, thousands came through the door and walked out with your donated gifts. A large load for some, but size didn’t seem to matter. One local mom said that they are grateful for everything, and that the small things are big things to them. She went on to thank those of you that helped, saying it is so very much appreciated. Captain Kathy Parker also says it was all a ton of work, but worth it to see the smiles on the faces of the parents. Bessemer was able to hand out everything in one day, and they wanted to make sure and thank not only the public, but specifically JCPenney in MCalla for their help with last minute gifts. Shelby County is also wrapping up handing out their offerings for over 800 children in their area.Thanks to all of you that helped this year. You didn’t seem to forget anyone. Case in point-Tracie Harris. In the past, her family has been able to provide, but this year it was just too tough dealing with cancer. She was an emergency case that we were going to have to handle a little bit differently, but then God stepped in. Saia Motorfreight wanted to help a family this Chistmas, so they contacted us, and after they did, we got to help them adopt her entire family, buying much needed items and gifts to help this Christmas. We love our program, and the process is great, it comes straight from you the public, into the hands of those that asked for the help. Don’t forget, our red kettle is still going till Christmas Eve. Please go online and give or give at your local bell ringer at the red kettle. There will be an update after the first of the year, where we’ll have all the final numbers for kettle and angel tree Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
DISTRIBUTION
BIRMINGHAM’S DISTRIBUTION IS LOCATED AT 350 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE Distribution dates are December 19th & 20th 9:00am-4:00pm
SHELBY COUNTY’S DISTRIBUTION CENTER IS AT 3039 WILSON ST. PELHAM Distribution dates are December 20th & 21st 9:00am-4:00pm
BESSEMER’S ANGEL TREE PROGRAM IS FINISHED FOR THIS YEAR
Partners
Fox 6, Chick-fil-a, Lowe’s, Alabama Power, 102.5 “The Bull”, Colonial Brookwood Village, Graham & Co., and the Alabama Department of Human Resources
We are blessed to have these wonderful partners that are a huge part of success with our Angel Tree Program. Thanks to them and all they do for us.
History of the Angel tree Program
Through the Angel Tree program, donors can become personally involved because they are able to choose a specific child or senior to help. Once a child or senior has been registered as an “angel,” The Salvation Army makes a promise that we will provide Christmas for that individual. The promise includes a variety of gifts for each child or senior. In order to accomplish this, The Salvation Army depends on the generosity of individual donors, corporations and organizations. The Angel Tree program was created by The Salvation Army in 1979 by Majors Charles and Shirley White when they worked with a Lynchburg, Virginia shopping mall to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas time. The program got its name because the Whites identified the wishes of local children by writing their gift needs on Hallmark greeting cards featuring pictures of angels and placing them on a Christmas Tree at the mall. Thanks to the Whites, who were assigned by The Army to the Lynchburg area at the time, more than 700 children had a brighter Christmas that first year. Three years later, when the Whites were transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, Angel Tree was launched in Music during the 1982 Christmas season. WSM radio, which airs the Grand Ol’ Opry, came on board that year as the first Angel Tree co-sponsor in the U.S. Because of the on-air promotion on WSM in Nashville, as well as national publicity on CNN and the Larry King Show, news of Angel Tree spread across the country like wild fire.
Since that time, the program has grown to include Angel Trees throughout the Greater Birmingham area. In 2007, The Salvation Army partnered with Fox6 Gifts for Kids, a program designed to give foster children in the Birmingham metro area Christmas gifts. That partnership flourishes today and was responsible for helping over 13,000 “angels” get adopted last year. Thanks to all of you that help with this wonderful program.
The Birmingham Salvation Army is so very thankful for the community’s help in adopting over 6,700 “Angels” so far. However, we still have almost 1,200 kids that need adopting by this Saturday December 10th. We are responsible for making sure that these “Angels” wake up Christmas morning with many items they need and want, so please take the time to go out and adopt now at Colonial Brookwood Village, or stay right where you are and go to our website and click on the angel tree information icon, or go to Fox 6′s website and adopt now.
The toys are coming in right now to help with our Angel Tree Program and we thank all of you for that. Members of the Upsilon Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority took the time to collect a bunch toys for those in need this Christmas. Part of their Global Leadership Service Program, this sorority has been helping many underprivileged children in our since 1995, today they got to see they are not alone. “This warehouse is amazing,” says Brooke Adams, President of the chapter. “It’s good to see Birmingham show up like this for people in need.” And so did you. Thanks so much. McAdory High School students have really studied the angel tree process and really learned how to help. After taking it upon themselves and raising money to adopt angels, they took to the shopping halls of the Galleria in search of gifts for over 40 adopted angels for the Bessemer area. But this isn’t new; it is becoming a tradition over there at McAdory. “We hope that this continues to get passed on,” says SGA President Jami Livingston. “We want everyone to know how it feels to help someone.” And thanks to these wonderful kids for their time and effort. It means the world to those that we minister to. Don’t forget, the Angel Tree adoptions end this Saturday Dec. 10th. We still have almost 1500 angels that need adopting so go online click on the angel tree information icon and adopt or go to Colonial Brookwood Village and pull them off right off the tree. Merry Christmas!
