Tag Archive for: #salvationarmy

TownTalk: Salvation Army Kettle Drive And Music For The Holidays

Jimmy Barrier describes the upcoming performance at the local Salvation Army as a Gaither-style event.

If you don’t know exactly what that means, then by all means, come out at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 to “An Acoustical Christmas.” And if you enjoy that Gaither style of musical performance, then you already know you’re in for a treat.

Barrier will share emcee duties with the Salvation Army’s Capt. Joshua Keaton, but he will also be behind his familiar bass as he and the Sound Barriers fill the air with Christmas music and other favorites with that Gaither-style Southern Gospel feel.

The concert is free and open to the public and will be held at the Salvation Army, 2292 Ross Mill Rd.

A love offering will be taken to benefit the Anchor of Hope and the Red Shield Club, he told John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk. Anchor of Hope is a women’s ministry that helps individuals in need and the Red Shield Club is the after-school program.

“It’s all acoustic, all live,” Barrier explained, “so if you make a mistake, everybody hears it.”

It didn’t take much to get Capt. Keaton and his wife, Capt. Amanda Keaton, on board with the project.

“They were elated to have the Gaither-style Christmas program,” Barrier said, adding that he hoped to make the concert an annual event and name it for the late Gill Clopton, who originally had the idea.

“I want to do that and honor him in that way,” Barrier said. He recalled that Clopton was very happy that the program had been scheduled.

Barrier said he and his wife were out shopping for blankets to donate to the Anchor of Hope’s blanket ministry the day before Thanksgiving and he found himself in the presence of someone singing Christmas carols – right inside the store.

Before he knew it, and to his wife’s chagrin, Barrier was performing a duet with Evelyn Couch.

“We started singing Christmas carols in Rose’s at the top of our lungs,” Barrier said.

But the duets didn’t stop there. He invited Couch to come and sing with the group at the recent McGregor Hall community concert last weekend.

“It was wonderful,” Barrier said of last weekend’s performance at McGregor Hall, sponsored by the Vance County Arts Council.

She will join Barrier again at the Dec. 11 concert to perform “O Holy Night.”

“She sings the fire out of it,” Barrier said.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Kettle Drive Underway For Salvation Army

It’s sort of like being asked to throw out the first pitch at a baseball game or to join the teams at midfield for the traditional coin toss. Dollar bills don’t make much noise as they land softly in the Big Red Kettle, but when they heard the familiar tinkling sound, the crowd assembled in front of Belk department store broke out in applause.

It’s the kickoff of the Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign, y’all.

And Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington had the honor of depositing the first contribution, adding with a chuckle, that “it’s the first of many.”

The husband-and-wife team that leads the local Salvation Army, Capt. Josh and Capt. Amanda Keaton, were on hand to officially start the holiday season of giving to the Salvation Army.

This year’s goal is $75,000, Capt. Josh Keaton told the group of local officials and others assembled Wednesday morning.

“Families are facing hard choices,” he added. Ringing the bell and standing by the kettle is a way for volunteers to pitch in as a community so that others don’t have to make the choice to either pay the light bill or buy food to put on the table.

Those cheery bell ringers give of their time, he said, “while giving a little bit of hope and cheer to others.”

Belk store manager Chris Tilley said he was happy to be able to partner with the Salvation Army. In addition to having the bell ringers outside the store, patrons inside will have the opportunity at check-out to make an additional donation to the Salvation Army.

The store also will sponsor a toy drive that will begin in early December.

“This is just another great way to partner with a great organization to help children,” Tilley said.

John Metzger chairs the Salvation Army advisory committee and he said that all the money collected in the local kettles is given to the local Salvation Army and it is all used to help local residents in need.

Three local Walmarts – Henderson, Oxford and Louisburg – will have Angel Trees set up for shoppers to choose tags from and purchase toys for children.

This year’s theme is “Love Beyond,” Keaton said.

“We’re going to do our part in the community to make sure somebody else in the community has a Christmas.”

CLICK PLAY!

Salvation Army

TownTalk: Welcoming Capt. Joshua Keaton To The Henderson Salvation Army

The training that the Salvation Army provides to its leaders is thorough, to be sure. But no two places are exactly alike, and Capt. Joshua Keaton and his wife, Capt. Amanda Keaton, are still learning about Henderson as they jump in to the day-to-day operations of their new assignment.

Capt. Joshua Keaton was John C. Rose’s guest on Thursday’s Town Talk and he said it’s been a busy time since they left their previous assignment in Concord, NC, and made their way to Henderson in mid-June. Father’s Day weekend, to be exact.

The local Salvation Army, based at 2292 Ross Mill Rd., serves a handful of surrounding counties – not just Vance County. From summer day camp to daily food distributions, there’s something going on most of the time at the Ross Mill Road facility.

There are two weeks left of summer day camp, then the Vacation Bible School will be Aug. 1-5.

The after-school program cranks up on Aug. 22, with daily pickups from a number of schools in Vance and Granville counties. Keaton encourages parents to get those completed applications in as soon as possible – space is limited.

Learn more at facebook.com/tsahenderson.

Keaton said he and his wife have a long association with the Salvation Army – they met at an SA camp in West Virginia in 2006 – he was a lifeguard and she was in charge of the dining hall. They married in 2009, and he said they “saw there was a need and felt the Lord nudging us to do more.”

The “more” turned into learning all about the Salvation Army – he called their time in Georgia “730 days of full-on engagement of learning the ins and outs of the Army – what you’d basically do during seminary,” he said.

The team spent several years in Greenville, SC before moving to Concord, NC and now to Henderson. They earned the rank of Captain and hope to achieve the rank of Major when the time comes.

Whether he is overseeing local programs like food distribution, inviting people to shop at their thrift store or talking with folks who have fallen on hard times, Keaton said he and his wife are willing to meet people wherever they are.

“We see constantly people struggling – spiritually, financially – being a shoulder they can lean on in their weakest moment is always a blessing to me,” he noted.

Life can change in an instant, he said, adding that it is important for him to live a life in service to the Lord.

“Everyone needs to receive salvation,” he said. “My goal is to lead you to it…the ultimate goal is to win souls for Him.”

CLICK PLAY!

Salvation Army

TownTalk: Salvation Army Prepares For Bell Ringing and Other Events

Area retailers are gearing up for the annual Christmas shopping season and the leaders of the local Salvation Army have numerous ways that area residents can join in while sharing hope with children in the community.

One way is by volunteering to ring the bell by the iconic Red Kettle that is synonymous with the Salvation Army. But there are other ways to make the holidays brighter as well, say Capts. Derrick and Odessa Smith of The Salvation Army of Henderson.

The Smiths were on Town Talk Tuesday and spoke to John C. Rose about upcoming events and ways the community can participate.

Odessa Smith said the annual Angel Tree campaign has about 300 children signed up to receive Christmas gifts. Now is the time to choose an angel from one of the Army’s tree locations, she said. Shoppers also can adopt an angel virtually by going online at either the Salvation Army site or from Walmart, which will send all selected gifts directly to the Salvation Army.

The Red Kettle Kickoff will be held Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. outside Belk of Henderson. He said the kickoff event will be an exciting time, during which participants will learn how the kettles became a symbol for the work of the Salvation Army. Visit https://www.registertoring.com/ to sign up to volunteer.

“The calendar for that is picking up,” he noted. Individuals or groups may sign up to ring the bell outside area retail stores.

Odessa Smith said gifts purchased for the Angel Tree project may be dropped off at the Salvation Army facility, 2292 Ross Mill Road.

This year, she noted, many parents have included winter clothing items on the wish list for their children. Winter coats and other appropriate warm outerwear will be especially appreciated this year, she added.

The Ross Mill Road location is the spot to drop off food items, as well as toys and clothing for the Angel Tree project.

Thrift store items, however, should be taken directly to the store, located at 218 Raleigh Road.

As with the thrift store revenue, almost all of the money collected during the holiday Red Kettle Campaign stays right here in the community to support programs.

The Salvation Army just celebrated its 100th anniversary of work in the Henderson area. Derrick said he’s very thankful and pleased to have “great people committed to our organization to help us provide hope within our community.”

Whether it’s a Red Kettle outside a store or a food drive to help senior adults with groceries, the Smiths said collaboration within the community is crucial to their ongoing success. “Collaboration and partnerships like that are meaningful,” Derrick said.

Because of the strong community partnerships, the Smiths anticipate in early 2022 the beginning of youth music programs that include brass band and woodwind instruments, as well as archery, air rifle classes. The ball fields are being built, too, which will further add to the program capability.

“We look forward to the growth of those ministries,” he said.

Visit https://bit.ly/3wtF6Os to adopt an angel from the angel tree or purchase directly from Walmart’s angel tree at https://bit.ly/3wqlACK to have gifts delivered directly to the Salvation Army office.

 

 

Salvation Army

TownTalk 04-12-21; Capt. Derrick Smith, Henderson Salvation Army Service Events

The local Salvation Army is the site for several upcoming activities to benefit the community, from medicine giveaways to summer camp, as well as a donation event Saturday to collect food and personal hygiene items.

The Henderson Rotary Club is partnering with the Salvation Army for the April 17 event as part of its Day of Service; Capt. Derrick Smith of the Henderson Salvation Army – and a Rotarian for almost 20 years – told John C. Rose Monday that this is just one way to spread the word about his organization as it helps the community.

“We’ve had such a tough year,” Smith said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a way for us to work together and build on helping our community in these uncertain times.” Smith said he hopes that many folks will come out to make a donation, from canned foods to pasta, oatmeal to ready-to-eat “pop-top” items and anything in between. And, he said, one of the familiar Salvation Army kettles will be on-site to accept monetary donations. Additional needs include hand sanitizer, throw blankets and toilet paper.

Please bring donations between 9 a.m. and noon to the facility at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson.

Smith said having the Salvation Army be the backdrop for community events gives him the opportunity to share that it’s a church as well. “All donations will go to help those families in need that need us most,” he said.

Make an online donation at https://www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/Henderson.

Smith said he is very appreciative of the community’s effort and groups like Rotary to support the Salvation Army, which allows him and his group to fulfill its mission “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” Groups such as Rotary with similar missions to help people and place “service over self” makes for a good fit with the Salvation Army.

Smith said folks can register for and pick up a variety of over-the-counter medications that will be distributed on April 30 when NC Medassist comes to town. This free event will be held at the Salvation Army as well, and Smith said collaboration with community organizations like the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and Triangle North Foundation helped to make this event possible.

“We are honored to host it at our facility,” Smith said. “It will be a huge day for our community” to be able to help people with everything from cough and cold medicines to allergy medications.

An assortment of medications will be available for distribution between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., but event organizers advise registering online at www.ncmedassist.org.The medicines will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

“This is a community effort,” Smith said. “We’re hoping that everybody will participate in some way,” whether it’s to pick up medicines or to volunteer. Volunteers are needed, he said. Sign up at www.medassist.org/volunteers.

The Red Shield Club, a summer camp for children ages 6-17, is celebrating its second year. Camp begins on June 14 and runs for nine weeks, Smith said. There is a $25 registration fee and weekly sessions are $60 per week, or $500 for the whole summer. This year’s camp has an Olympics theme, he said, adding that there are opportunities for field trips and other sports activities and arts and crafts to keep campers engaged and interested. He praised staff, parents and campers for their cooperation last year to adhere to pandemic restrictions. If you need a safe place for your children to come to,” the Red Shield Club could be the right fit, he said.

“Our staff has done a phenomenal job of keeping everybody safe – that’s our big thing – safety first,” he said. “We are very pleased to get to a new day of summer camp which we opened up last year.”

Applications are available at the Salvation Army. Call the office at 252.438.7107 to learn more.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Angel Tree 2020

Salvation Army of Henderson Announces ‘Angel Tree,’ ‘Forgotten Angels’ Drive

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

The Salvation Army of Henderson encourages the community to help a child in need this holiday season by taking a name from the “Angel Tree.”

This year, due to COVID-19, more people than ever are struggling to make ends meet. The Angel Tree program of Henderson helps families in need by providing new clothing and toys to 400 children each year. Your generous gift from this registry will bring joy to a local child and help the Salvation Army rescue Christmas.

As part of its “Forgotten Angels Drive,” The Salvation Army also encourages the community to consider supporting children ages 9 to 12 that are often left on the tree in favor of younger kids.

How it Works:

  1. Choose the number of angles that you, your school or your company are interested in helping, and you will receive the tags for the desired amount. You can also choose a tag off the Angel Trees located at area Walmarts.
  2. Provide age-appropriate, new toys and clothes for the child(ren).
  3. Place the Angel tag number and name of child on all bag(s) of donated items.
  4. Deliver unwrapped gifts to The Salvation Army at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson, NC Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by December 11, 2020.
  5. You may also go to www.walmart.com/registry/registryforgood and enter your location as 27536 to select “Angel Tree of Henderson.” Items may be purchased online and shipped directly to The Salvation Army of Henderson.

Contact Captain Odessa Smith at (252) 432-7766 or email odessa.smith@uss.salvationarmy.org with any questions.

Local News Audio

Noon News 10-21-20 Salvation Army Playground Relay For Life Corbitt Trucks Gang Free

– Salvation Army Local Playground
– Relay for Life of Vance County, Rosa’s Team, 220 Fish Fry Fundraiser
– Corbitt Preservation Association President’s Challenge
– Gang Free Inc Needs Your Vote

Click Play for Full Noon News Audio

 

Salvation Army School Day Camp

Salvation Army to Offer Youth School Day Camp

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Lt. Derrick Smith, Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Red Shield Club will hold a School Day Camp for youth beginning August 24, 2020. The camp will be open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided, and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

Cost: $75 per week (plus one-time registration fee of $25 per family if new members)

The club is located in the Salvation Army facility located at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson. Please come by the club to register.

With questions, please call the Salvation Army at (252) 438-7107.

Salvation Army

Union Bank Helps Salvation Army Fight Pandemic

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, The Salvation Army of Henderson

Two gifts totaling $20,000 from Greenville, NC based Union Bank, to The Salvation Army of Henderson (serving Vance, Granville, Franklin, Northampton, Halifax and Warren Counties) will provide much-needed help and hope to Granville and Franklin County families and individuals impacted by COVID-19. The donations are earmarked to provide food and meal assistance to children and families impacted by the pandemic.

“On behalf of our Union Bank family, we are proud to offer a measure of relief during this unprecedented time,” said Rob Jones, CEO of Union Bank.  “One of our core values is to make a difference in our communities. This contribution recognizes the challenges that individuals and families in our markets currently face. I am especially proud to say that this gift includes contributions from Union Bank, members of our Board of Directors and personal contributions from Executive Management.”

Annually, The Salvation Army serves thousands of people in the six-county service area through programs that provide food and meals, shelter, clothing, disaster relief, rent and utilities assistance and Christmas gifts for needy children and seniors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed major financial setbacks for North Carolina residents and The Salvation Army has received an influx of requests for assistance.

“COVID-19 continues to bring challenges for many people,” said Lieutenant Derrick Smith of The Salvation Army of Henderson. “The need for Salvation Army social service programming is essential in our community. This gift from Union Bank will strengthen our feeding programs to help people facing financial difficulties at this time.”

Salvation Army’s Lt. Smith Talks ‘Phenomenal’ Grand Opening of New Building

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Lt. Derrick Smith, with the Vance County Salvation Army, and Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington were on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the grand opening of the new Salvation Army building.

Located at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson, the new location held a two-part grand opening event on Sunday, November 10. According to Smith, the 11 a.m. church worship service was attended by approximately 175 community members and leaders.

“It was a phenomenal day; the weather was beautiful,” Smith said. “It was exciting to have so many from our community and to have the support of the community all in one place, at one time.”

At a separate 3 p.m. service, Smith and his wife Lt. Odessa Smith welcomed guests for a ribbon-cutting and official grand opening celebration.

Ellington, who was in attendance, echoed Smith’s assessment on the celebratory mood of the event and said many citizens are likely unaware of the impact the Salvation Army has on the community.

“The mission of the Salvation Army throughout the world and our community speaks volumes. A lot of people don’t know the impact the organization has right here in Henderson and Vance County,” Ellington stated.

Also present for the occasion were former Salvation Army Captain Rick Langley and wife Angie, who headed the local operation from 2012 until their retirement in June 2019. Smith said the event was special for the Langleys because they saw the new building through from concept to completion.

“They are really good folks,” said Smith. “They were here for about seven years, so to follow behind them makes our job easier.”

With the grand opening, the Salvation Army is now fully operational in the Ross Mill Road location. Smith said the first order of business will be to focus on Christmas efforts, such as the annual red kettle campaign that begins Friday, November 15.

The Salvation Army also operates its new store – located at 218 Raleigh Road in Henderson – while maintaining the former store – located at 222 W. Montgomery Street – for storage and organization purposes.

The completion of the new location and planned ball fields on the 40-acre lot located near Mako Medical Laboratories and Vance Charter School will allow the Smiths to focus on what previous studies have indicated is a big need for the community – youth services.

In a prior interview with WIZS, Odessa Smith said, “One of the biggest needs is youth development. We would like to have after-school programs, mentoring programs and partnerships with local schools and other community organizations.”

While the Salvation Army will continue to work with community partners to expand services, Smith said the mission of the organization is strong and already established.

“This is a building for the community,” said Smith. “It will help us in our mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

To hear the interview with Smith and Ellington in its entirety, click here. Their segment begins at the 22:20 mark. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.