“What a perfect trick or treat on Halloween weekend. The treat was 9,000 coats given. No trick involved there at all. We also had a lot of citizens donate. I think we had $7,000 to spend in purchasing new coats” said the man who started this campaign 24 years ago, Bob Gregory.

Approximately 300 volunteers gave up their Saturday and worked in shifts to escort families during their shopping experience at Coats for Kids. Some also worked as runners to replenish  racks of coats when the selections ran low. If you’ve ever wondered who our volunteers are, this year’s force was made up of several church groups, WTHR staff, and other individuals without whom The Salvation Army could not pull off such an event. Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Wilhelm said, “It was a great day and everything went so well!”

Once again, Tuchman Cleaners played an important role as the official drop off point, cleaner of coats and delivering the coats to the fairgrounds during the week of the event. On hand to greet the children were the Colts cheerleaders, Butler mascot “Blue” and Salvation Army officers.

“Our warmth goes out to those kids and families that for this year  have a new, nice warm coat. Thanks for the treat!” Bob Gregory, retired weather forecaster for WTHR.

More than 1,300 coats were donated to the annual campaign along with cash donations which will be used to buy coats.  This will be the 24th year for Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids, a partnership between WTHR, Tuchman Cleaners, and The Salvation Army which provides warm winter coats to thousands of area children.  The 1,300 coats collected at Lucas Oil brings the total coat count to about 3,500.  Last year, over 10,000 coats were donated or purchased with financial donations for Coats for Kids.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, but we’ve got a couple weeks to get there,” said Bob Gregory, retired WTHR Weatherman who’s been a part of Coat’s for Kids since it’s creation (listen to Bob talk about Coats for Kids).  This year’s Coats for Kids distribution day will be held on October 30, at the Toyota Expo Hall on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Doors open at 8 am and anyone needing a coat is welcome.  Parents need only to bring their children with them to get coats.

Gently used or new coats can be donated at any of the 25 area Tuchman Cleaners.  Simply drop off your coat and Tuchman will clean it and get it ready for a child in need.  You can also shop for a coat online by visiting our Coat Shop.   This year’s need is expected to be greater than ever.  Please make a donation and give child in  need a warm coat for the winter!

from SalvationArmyIndiana.org, by Mike Rowland

Mel McMahon is the spokesperson for Homelessness Bites, The Salvation Army’s campaign in the fight against homelessness.  After participating in the games, Mel shared with the audience about the plight of Indy’s homeless women and children and how the Army needs help to make a difference in those lives. To find out how YOU can be a part changing lives, visit homelessnessbites.org. from SalvationArmyIndiana.org by Deborah Simon 

 Today, The Salvation Army held it’s 18th Annual Estate and Charitable Gift Planning Institute in Minneapolis, MN.  The national event was broadcast via a web to locations all of the country including Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute, Lafayette, Fort Wayne, Anderson, and Bloomington in Indiana.

In Indianapolis, more than 160 CPAs, finance officers, financial planners, trust officers, insurance agents, and attorneys attended the event which was held at the University Place Auditorium on the campus of IUPUI.  The seminar was offered free of charge and in some cases, continuing education credits were offered to those attending.

The featured guest were Ann Burns (pictured above during yesterday’s seminar), Chair of the Trust, Estate & Charitable Planning group at Gray Plant Mooty, and Christopher Hoyt, Professor of Law at the University of Missouri School of Law.  Professor Hoyt is currently the Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Charitable Organizations.

In Indiana, the annual seminar is put on by The Salvation Army’s Planned Giving Department.  If you would like to find out more about estate and charitable gift planning, visit MyPlan2Give.org.

ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 21, 2010) – The Salvation Army’s National Commander Israel L. Gaither announced that Mrs. Charlotte Jones Anderson, Executive Vice President Brand Management/ President of Charities for the Dallas Cowboys, will serve as National Advisory Board (NAB) Chairperson for The Salvation Army. Mrs. Anderson, the first woman to serve in this capacity, was elected to the position unanimously at a full meeting of the Army’s national advisory board in Portland, OR, Friday.  Beginning in January 2011, she will serve a three-year term leading the efforts of the board for the nation’s largest faith-based social service charity.

“I am proud to be affiliated with The Salvation Army and I am excited to take on this new role furthering the Mission to serve all those in need across America,” said Mrs. Anderson. “I have been privileged to work with this organization for a long time and have seen first-hand the difference that they make in people’s lives. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my involvement with such a great charity.”

Mrs. Anderson has been a long-time supporter of The Salvation Army, and has been actively involved in many charitable events with the organization throughout her professional career. For the last thirteen years, she has organized a nationally televised half-time show at the Dallas Cowboys traditional Thanksgiving Day game. The event draws more than 20 million viewers each year and helps kickoff The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle campaign which has raised more than $1.3 billion during that time. She has frequently participated in events and activities at the Army’s Gene and Jerry Jones Family Center for Children which opened in Irving, TX, in 1998, and offers affordable childcare for low-income families. Mrs. Anderson is also active with the Army on a national basis, serving on the National Advisory Board since 2005.

“Charlotte has been a tremendous supporter of The Salvation Army’s Mission over the years in Dallas and across the country,” said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, National Commander for The Salvation Army. “We’re thrilled she has agreed to bring that same commitment and enthusiasm to her new role as National Advisory Board Chairperson.”

In recognition of her alliance with The Salvation Army, Mrs. Anderson was the recipient of the Exceptional Service Award at the Army’s 2007 National Advisory Organizations Conference, which is held every four years and brings together thousands of local advisory board volunteers from 5,000 communities across the country.

“It’s an honor for me personally to pass the mantle of National Advisory Board leadership to Charlotte,” said outgoing National Advisory Board Chairman Rob Pace. “Having worked closely with her for a number of years on the NAB, I can say with confidence that she is the ideal person to fill this role.”

As one of the National Football League’s most innovative and versatile front office executives, Mrs. Anderson’s 21 years of NFL experience with the Dallas Cowboys have enabled her to assume a position of leadership among women in American professional sports.

Her vision and direction guides the Cowboys in the areas of stadium design, entertainment, merchandising, licensed apparel, uniform design, memorabilia, community service and philanthropy. She also supervises the fortunes and travels of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – considered to be the most recognized and accomplished organization of its kind in the world.

Recently, Mrs. Anderson has played a prominent role in shaping the design, décor, sponsor integration and overall presentation of Cowboys Stadium, the state-of-the-art venue that opened in Arlington, Texas in 2009. Under her guidance, the venue will play host to some of highest profile sports and entertainment events in the world – among those are the Super Bowl, the NBA All Star Game, the NCAA Final Four and the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mrs. Anderson is a 1988 graduate of Stanford University where she earned a B.S. degree in human biology. She is married to Shy Anderson. The Andersons live in Dallas with their three children: daughter Haley and sons Shy and Paxton.

An Indiana native, Eric joined WISH-TV in January of 1983. He became the lead anchor of the number one rated noon show in 1986. He also anchored 24-Hour News 8′s 5 o’clock newscast. In December 2004, Eric joined Debby Knox at the anchor desk for WISH-TV’S 24-Hour News 8 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Promoted to Senior Vice President in 2007, Karen is directly responsible for $10.7 million in annual operating revenue.  She leads the external relations division with responsibilites for Creative Services, Marketing, Institutional Advancement, Membership, and Communications.

Each member of The Salvation Army’s Advisory Board brings a unique set of talents, experiences, and connections to the community which are valuable to The Salvation Army as it strives to serve the central Indiana community in an effective and efficient manner.

The Salvation Army established the local “Advisory Board System” in 1920. It was designed to enlist local professionals, business and civic leaders to provide support to the local unit of The Salvation Army. The Advisory Board is charged with the responsibility of advising and assisting The Salvation Army in all its activities in the Indianapolis community.

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, located at 2400 N. Tibbs Ave. in Indianapolis, is one of those providers. The center has both residential and outpatient treatment, serving men and women battling substance abuse, chemical dependency, homelessness and poverty.  Harbor Light offers a full continuum of Addiction Treatment Services and a Transitional Housing Program for adults 18 and over, including a broad spectrum of professional counseling, with psychological, vocational and spiritual guidance.

In the past year, Harbor Light’s Drug Court program has doubled in size and boasts an 85% success rate, well above the national averages. Detoxification has increased by 350 clients over the previous year bringing 2010 total admissions to 1,710.  The gambling program, started in 2008 has also increased drastically and The Salvation Army is one of only 17 providers in the state.

With waiting lists and every program growing in participants, Clinical Director David R. Thompson, M.Div., CADS, CCDP says of his staff, “Overall, our people are extremely busy. We continue to do all we can within the restraints of budget cuts by the state and with the loss of grants due to the volatile market. ”

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Corps Vision Statement reads: “We believe this is a ministry of “redeeming the time”, for the whole person, as we meet their needs through our different outreach programs. We are growing a spiritual nurturing place of worship, to feed the souls of those in recovery, where they can find healing in Jesus Christ.”  The staff does this not only through clinical services but also by holding Sunday morning worship services and Bible studies.

The center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  You can contact them at:

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center

2400 N. Tibbs Ave.

Indianapolis, IN  46222

Phone: (317)972-1450

Fax: (317)972-4114

-Deborah Simon, Social Media Manager

Salvation Army USA, August 24, 2010 -

At the 5 year anniversary of Katrina, the nation is reflecting this week on tragedy that befell the Gulf Coast so many years ago and how the area has pressed on since. As an integral part of the community, The Salvation Army was there before the storm, and we were there after working to provide support and help rebuild.

The Salvation Army’s Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Division posted an album on their Facebook page that looks back at their efforts to help those in need during the immediate aftermath. From serving food to providing medical support, The Salvation Army was a shining light during a very dark time.

Five years later, we are still dedicated to serving and restoring these communities.

As a part of continuing recovery efforts, The Salvation Army is investing in projects, communities and individual lives in order to help the area become even stronger than before. Five New Orleans neighborhoods are being revived with affordable, green housing thanks to EnviRenew, a project of The Salvation Army New Orleans. Emerge is encouraging youth with positive incentives to learn. A new Salvation Army Kroc Community Center is under construction that will provide the residents of Biloxi, Mississippi with educational opportunities, exercise facilities, services for the community, and many other resources. And these are just a few of numerous ways The Salvation Army is helping the Gulf achieve a brighter future.

If you’d like to view the latest fact sheet on Hurricane Katrina, which contains an overview, statistics and information on The Salvation Army’s long-term recovery efforts, just click here.

Our state has certainly felt the brunt of the economic downturn. And the trend continues in 2010 as unemployment hovers in the 10 percent range. About 43 percent of homeless schoolchildren in IPS are in kindergarten through third grade! These kids have difficulties concentrating, not knowing where they’ll sleep or where dinner will come from. In fact, these students are suspended from school at a rate of about twice the state average!

But thanks to our supporters, The Salvation Army’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter* can offer these kids some stability. Kids who stay in our shelter can count on healthy meals, warm beds and even homework help from our partners at Indy School on Wheels. The shelter isn’t a permanent solution – our counselors work with moms to get help with life skills, school or job placement and all the other resources they will need to break the cycle of joblessness, domestic violence and homelessness.

You can help us continue to provide these services to our littlest neighbors in need through the Homelessness Bites campaign. Find out how to get and fill a Bite Back box, donate online, sign up for our mobile VIP list or mark your calendar now for Apple Fest this October. For 1,500 kids in Indianapolis, homelessness bites. Bite back!

*nearly 1,100 women & children have been cared for in our shelter in 2010. Of the 204 who came to us in June, 76 were kids.

 “The level of care and steps taken to rebuild Haiti has been astonishing, with this transitional housing project highlighting the significant strides everyone has made over the past six months,” said Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Service Office. “Housing shelters have been built in some of the most heavily impacted areas in Haiti, including Jacmel, Bainet, Lilette and Bellami. The Salvation Army has had a major presence in Haiti since the 1950s and we’ll continue to provide earthquake relief services for as long as the need is there.”

Haitian officials and residents worked closely with The Salvation Army to plan and manage the transitional housing shelters project which allowed for a quick design and building process. Through both volunteerism and temporary employment by The Salvation Army, residents of Haiti have been directly involved in the reconstruction of their communities. The Salvation Army provided technical specialists as needed for the project and Haitian teams were trained by The Salvation Army’s transitional housing team. Others were hired to clear land for the construction of the homes. In all, more than 400 Haitians, comprising at least 45 construction teams, were trained to supervise and build 600 homes.

“For the safety and well-being of the thousands of Haitians who have been displaced, it was critical that we constructed these homes as quickly and strongly as possible with the hurricane season here,” said Lt. Colonel Starrett. “The ultimate goal of our emergency service in Haiti is to provide the resources for the community to return to self sufficiency at a level that exceeds conditions before the earthquake. These homes are the first steps of many in that direction.”

Following the construction of the 600 shelters in Jacmel, which began on June 5, The Salvation Army will work with government officials in Haiti to plan the second phase of development for an additional 500 homes in Jacmel and another 1,000-1,500 homes in Petit-Goâve, which felt a strong 5.9 magnitude aftershock on January 20. The quake’s epicenter was almost directly under Petit-Goâve, severely damaging the city. Each home will take one day to complete, with each costing approximately $1,800. Like in Jacmel, the homes will be built on existing home sites. Individuals and families who have lost their homes due to the earthquake must own the property on which their new home will be built in order to obtain a shelter. Families are helped first, followed by single women with children and other vulnerable populations.Locally, The Indiana Salvation Army sent down some of the first response teams following the January earthquake.  The support of Hoosiers for The Salvation Army’s relief efforts was overwhelming.  “We are proud of Central Indiana’s response to the crisis in Haiti.  Hoosiers donated nearly $400,000 to Haitian disaster relief and today’s news shows that their investment has produced tangible results. The effort continues both in Haiti and in Indianapolis to rebuild communities and restore lives. We want to express our thanks to all Hoosiers who have contributed and continue to support our mission,” said Jeff Stanger, Development Director for the Indiana Salvation Army. The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.”  Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $20.5 million has been donated to The Salvation Army to assist in the development of the housing units, provide 5.4 million meals, as well as other immediate and long-term recovery services in Haiti. Through the shelter campaign, The Salvation Army will continue will provide over 4400 shelters in the next 6-12 months in Jacmel, Petit-Goâve and Port -au-Prince.Prior to the earthquake, The Salvation Army in Haiti operated schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.  One Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people.Since January 12, The Salvation Army, along with the United Nations, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations has cared for the 20,000 individuals who have been displaced from their homes, living at a soccer field adjacent to a Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince. To establish a safe environment, a Camp Security force has been formed made up of 45 Haitian members from the camp itself. The team has been trained in security techniques by The Salvation Army and the United Nations. Medical care and nutritional services are also being provided to meet the needs of all individuals at the camp; including water purification units that supply 20,000 – 30,000 gallons of purified water or 4.2 million gallons of water daily.