We still have several meals left available for sponsorship. So, if you’d like to help provide a meal for about 50 or so volunteers, we’d love to speak with you! Give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

All of the Fall/Winter volunteer opportunities are now posted online!

If you’re a brand new volunteer, all you have to do is click on “Get Involved” on our volunteer site – SAVolunteer.org, then on “Sign Up Online” and create a profile for yourself!

If you’re a current volunteer, just click on “Get Involved”, then on “Opportunities” and sign in using your username and password.

Yup, it’s as easy as that!

The evenings are cooling off and it’s only a matter of time before children will need coats to stay warm at the bus stops. (The girl on the left is just one of the thousands of little ones who benefitted from our annual Coats for Kids event last year.)

Apple Fest, Coats for Kids, Toy Shop, Colts Collections, Radiothon… we need your help for these and more!

In times of disaster, Salvation Army teams are among the first to arrive to the scene to serve victims and first responders. During the flooding in June 2008, over 10,000 meals were served by trained volunteers – people just like you who wanted to do something practical for those displaced from their homes.

On Saturday, June 26, our Emergency Disaster Services team will be offering training for those interested in serving food and beverages from the canteens (mobile feeding stations) during natural disasters. Volunteers will learn food handling procedures and techniques during this 8am – 4:30 training at the Disaster Services Training Center at 4020 Georgetown Road. There is a $20 fee that covers the cost of class materials, two breaks and lunch.

To reserve your space, contact Bert Williams at 224-1013. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with The Salvation Army, please call Elizabeth Wilhelm at 224-1010.

Major Margaret Hill thanks students from White Lick Elementary School for their service to the seniors at Booth Manor.

The life of a senior citizen can be filled with mundane routines and loneliness. In an effort to change that, third and fourth grade students from White Lick Elementary School blessed the residents of The Salvation Army’s low income senior housing as part of their Service Learning Project.  It was just another fine example of the character of these elementary school students who have selflessly responded to an awareness of needs in their community.

Led by fourth grade teacher Emily Steffen, this was the second project carried out by these students for The Salvation Army .  Earlier in the year, these same students were so moved by the reality of homelessness for the women and children at our shelter, that they coordinated making and delivering blankets and care packages to the shelter.

On this sunny day at Booth Manor, home to 75 seniors, curious residents greeted the group of energetic youngsters as they arrived with teachers and parents. The students came ready to unload and deliver care boxes filled with food, toiletries and handmade scarves. After making sure every resident on all three floors received a gift, the students assembled for a talent show in the dining hall.  Amidst juggling plastic discs and a hip-hop dance routine, the seniors were visibly moved by the students’ enthusiasm, clapping and smiling as the children performed.

Continuing in the mode of service, the children took on the roles of waitstaff, gathering drink and pizza orders from the seniors, sitting with some of them as they ate. Before returning to their classrooms, the children gathered around for a few rounds of Bingo with the seniors. As the students packed up for the ride back to their classrooms, one senior was heard  saying, “Thank you for bringing these wonderful children here today! I wish they could be here everyday!”

Service Learning Projects are a great way to teach youth about the importance of giving back to their communities. To view the video of White Lick’s  service project, click on the highlighted link to their school in this story.  If you’d like information about how you can participate in such an experience, please contact our volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Wilhelm at (317)224-1010 or Julia Sipes at (317)224-1067

Jake Iery and his family pose with Majors Keith and Sherrie Welch. Jake won the Youth Champion of the Year Award.

There were champions among us this past Wednesday evening, at the First Annual Salvation Army Victory Dinner held at Riverwalk in Broad Ripple. Attendees gathered on this beautiful evening to celebrate the efforts of a few fine citizens and businesses who had sacrificially earned that title through a variety of ways. Focusing on the 2009 Christmas season, these volunteers and supporters of the Army’s programs really were what made this year’s Tree of Lights events successful. In spite of not reaching the monetary goal, countless lives were significantly touched by these people and their service. Keeping in mind the mission of The Salvation Army, it was an honor to recognize these special individuals for meeting human needs on behalf of the Army.

Major Richard Amick, Indiana’s Divisional Commander, started off the evening with some encouraging words while directing our attention to the many ways the Army has been blessed this past year. This was followed by a video, “A Year in Review” highlighting the Army’s work throughout 2009.  Continuing with the theme of “The Power of One”, inspirational speaker for the Colts, Josh Bleill gave an outstanding talk. Bleill, an ex-marine who lost both legs from an explosive device while serving in Iraq, uses his experiences as a platform to share with others about how they too can make a difference.

Saving the best for last, the night culminated with the presentation of awards to the champions, whose hard work served men, women and children. Of special interest was Zionsville Middle School student, Jake Iery, who was recognized as Youth Champion of the Year. Learn more about what Jake did for children in need on the volunteer blog, www.savolunteer.org/. Also honored individually was Iris Bouchez, as Volunteer Champion of the Year, in addition to Northwest Kiwanis Club, Two Men And A Truck, Reach USA/ValPak and Response Church. Salvation Army staff was excited to be able give each award recipient a specially handmade plaque, created by some of the kids who reside at our Women and Children’s Shelter.

If you’d like to join the ranks of champions and/or for more information, call Elizabeth Wilhelm- Volunteer Coordinator at 224-1010.

Dunkin' Donuts' Adam and Kristie bring breakfast and Vinatieri items for our first prize package.

The 2009 WIBC Radiothon is in full swing down here at the Emmis Communations building on Monument Circle. Big Joe Staysniak and Terri Stacy are wrapping up their show and we’re just about to draw the first prize package winner of the day. Thanks to our friends at Dunkin’ Donuts for not only feeding our volunteers breakfast, but also for donating the signed Adam Vinatieri hat and jersey for our Colts Fan Pack. Add in the two tickets to Sunday’s Colts game from The American Legion and you’ve got a package worth making that call to donate early!

So far, our total stands at $5,580 – not bad for a cold, December morning. But we need your help. Our goal this weekend is to raise $225,000 for our neighbors in need. We’re off to a great start. Don’t forget to check out our prize packages. There’s some great stuff out there – everything from Pacers tickets to Gerdt Furniture recliners to a couple of overnight stays downtown. Something for everyone! Oh, and don’t forget to check out our sponsor page. We have some generous business partners who’ve sponsored hours with matching funds as well as in-kind donations for those prize packages.

Don’t worry – you haven’t missed your chance to join us. To make your donation for men, women and children and need, go here or give us a call at 1-877-71-PEACE.

 If you’re in downtown Indy this afternoon, you’ll notice it sounds a lot more like Christmas. Today is Celebrity Bell Ringing Day in front of Emmis studios on Monument Circle. Some of our more recognizable friends are giving an hour or more of their time today to ring bells and collect some of the first donations of the season.

So far today, we’ve had the priviledge of ringing with some of the lovely Colts cheerleaders, WISH TV-8 personalities, our WIBC Radiothon Chair (and Pacers’ own) Quinn Buckner, Darth Vadar, Boomer, Trucky and Big-E-Foot. We’ve also had some fun previewing tomorrow’s Turkey Bowling event with GFS Marketplace.

Speaking of turkey bowling, if you’re out and about on the west side tomorrow, stop by the GFS Marketplace on Rockville Road for their Thanksgiving sampling day and Turkey Bowling. We’ll be there and we hope you’ll join us in packing the pantries at our community centers.