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Social Networking Sites and The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army sees the youth in our community as a vital resource not only for voluntary service but also as a our future leaders. Young people are wired into technology and look to social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace as a way to stay constantly connected. With this in mind, The Salvation Army of Battle Creek has created a fanpage on Facebook. The page can be found on Facebook at The Salvation Army of Battle Creek, MI. This page contains information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and the programs & services of The Salvation Army. We continue to look for new ways to engage volunteers, donors, members and young people through technology.
The Salvation Army is a United Way Program Delivery Partner
One Step Closer
On Sunday, January 15th the Corps Council approved the drawing for our new Chapel addition. It will be fitting for us to break ground in 2012 as this is our 125th Anniversary in Battle Creek.
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It is with hearts full of gratitude that we announce "our $130,000 Red Kettle goal was reached and we're on track to met our over all Christmas goal of $300,000 by January 31st". Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, partners and members for all that you do in our local community.
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WOW-Wild On Wednesday's starts again on 1-11-2012 after our short Christmas break. WOW begins at 5:15 pm with a meal then children ages 5 to 18 are separated into groups: Sunbeams for girls in 1st through 5th grade, Adventure Corps for boys in 1st through 5th grade, Girl Guards for young women in 6th through 12th grade and Rangers for young men in 6th through 8th grade. This is a FREE program and open to any child in the Battle Creek area. Transportation is also available, please call 269-963-3640 ext. 12.
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"Until everyone is full, stay hungry to give". Your friends at The Salvation Army
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Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for another great year of service to our community. You truly are "Angels in Disguise".
2011 Volunteer Award Winners
Bell Ringing: Newton UMC, First UMC, Masonic Temple,
Battle Creek Kiwanis Club, Athens High School,
Lakeview Middle School, East Leroy Elementary,
Hal Longman & Carol and Leon White
Community Cares: Calhoun Christian School
Sally's Kitchen: Urbandale 7th Day Adventist Church
Christmas Outreach: Sharon Philp
Angel Tree Party: Kellogg Community College Students
The Salvation Army Outdoors: Joshua Bradley
Western Michigan Northern Indiana Salvation Army Divisional Awards:
First Wesleyan Second Saturday Group
Jessie Kissinger
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Target Gives Back Through Its Annual School Shopping Spree
Partnership With The Salvation Army
12,000 Kids Nationwide Receive an $80 Target GiftCard to Purchase Needed School Supplies
On Tuesday, July 26, 2011, local students in need had the opportunity to visit a Battle Creek Target store and purchase backpacks, calculators, pens and pencils, art supplies, binders, clothing and other must-have supplies just in time for back-to-school. The Salvation Army and Target are helping a total of 12,000 K-12 students across the country gear up for the upcoming academic year and get ready to succeed in school with the Target School Spree. Each child, selected by The Salvation Army, were awarded an $80 Target GiftCard to purchase much-needed back-to-school supplies. Each child will be given a reusable Target shopping bag and be paired with a shopping chaperone for their fun day of back-to-school shopping.
At The Salvation Army's Annual Community Picnic held on Sunday, July 24th, parents were able to sign their children up for a chance to win one of 20 shopping sprees. Major Belinda Riggs and Marcie Gothard of The Salvation Army randomly drew the names of our shopping spree winners.
Education is at the heart of Target's giving and the Target School Spree is one way that Target acts locally to help kids learn and schools teach, paving a path to graduation. As part of the Target School Spree, Target awarded all 40 of The Salvation Army Divisions nationwide a total of $1 million in Target GiftCards and in-kind contributions for the shopping sprees. Nearly 500 Target stores will participate in the one-day Target School Spree event in select regions across the country. Each $80 Target GiftCard awarded as part of the program will provide a child with the necessary supplies to go back to school in the fall, ready to learn.
The Salvation Army is so thankful for the partnership they have with Target in helping local students get ready for another successful school year. Thank you to our volunteers- Taylor McCoy, Palace Armstrong, Natalie Rial and Nicole Rial for helping students shop. We also want to thank our staff members who came in extra early to help students-Jessi McCleary, Jessie Kissinger, Chelsie Riggs, Cody McCleary, Jon Griffin, Jack Gothard, Mrs. Riggs, Jane Hardy, Joyce VanDenberg and Major Riggs.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,755 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.
More photos from our Target School Shopping Spree can be seen at our FACEBOOK fanpage http://on.fb.me/mW5Hdr
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Thank You for another Wonderful Community Picnic and Car Show
We would like to thank Ron Antes & the Drifters Car Club members, Red Cross Clowns, Jason Hopkins & the Red Wagon for partnering with The Salvation Army for our Annual Community Picnic on July 24th. The kids throughly enjoyed a chance to vote for their favorite car, have their face painted, receive a balloon animal and have a chance to get in the red wagon & have their picture taken. We are so appreciatative of the support we receive each year in putting on this picnic for our community.
We also want to thank the following volunteers for braving the heat and making sure everyone had a wonderful time at the picnic: Anna VanDenberg, Danielle Kissinger, Jane Hardy, Jason Hardy, Joyce VanDenberg, Mary Gothard, Jack Gothard, Jackie Fulcher, Jessie Kissinger, Alex Kissinger, Alyssa Rue, Alex Woodard, Cody McCleary, Jon Griffin, Jessie McCleary, John Vaughn, Marilyn Delaney, Shawn Denton, Larry Ryan, Palace, Josh Bradley, Chelsie Riggs, Taylor McCoy and Mickey Kissinger.
Thank you again to everyone for making this such a great event. Over 400 children and adults enjoyed a great picnic thanks to all of you.
Our 1st place winners Gordy and Patty Millsap
Gordy and Patty's 1st place winnner
Our 2nd place winner Suzie & Ralph Worden
Five shots of our 2nd Place Winner "Lil Runaway"!
Our 3rd Place winner Jim Rusten Holtz
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PANDA MANIA VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
We had such a great time with all the kids on July 22nd, 23rd & 24th for our Panda Mania VBS.
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TSA OUTDOORS-AN EXCITING SUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY
TSA OUTDOOR is a program designed to provide youth with engaging and educational outdoor experiences. The Salvation Army of Battle Creek will be holding 9 week long TSA Outdoor sessions staring the week of June 13th. Each week will focus on our environment and our relationship to it. Children will be engaging with nature through daily outdoor activities and educational lessons from Growing Up Wild and Project WILD.
Children will receive lessons that include sections on Wild Wonderful Words, Healthy Me, Helping Hands, Mighty Math, Art Projects, Music & Movement and science through Ready, Set , Go. Children will also receive lessons in Character Building education. The cost per week is $35.00 and includes lunch, two snacks and any field trips. Parents or guardians will be required to register their child for each weekly session.
To find out more about this exciting summer educational opportunity or to register your children, please call Major Belinda Riggs at 269-963-3640 ext. 10.
ABOUT
Growing Up Wild is an early childhood education program that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wild range of activities and experiences Growing Up Wild provides a foundation for developing positive impressions of nature and life long social and academic skills. (Council of Environmental Education, Growing Up Wild, pg. 2)
Project Learning Tree is a Kindergarten through 12th grade environmental and conservation education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources.
Children attending TSA Outdoor will also have the opportunity to enjoy a camping experience at The Salvation Army's camp called Little Pine Island in Grand Rapids, MI. The purpose of Salvation Army Camping is to serve the needs of campers: physical, social, and spiritual. For physical needs, our aim is to help campers develop good health habits in cleanliness, proper rest, balanced diet, exercise, and care of the body. To meet social needs the camp provides an opportunity for each camper to contribute to and receive from a group living experience. The aim is to help campers make their own right decisions, stimulate creativity and foster independence.
God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. Martin Luther
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When someone is facing eviction, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army. When they're facing a shut off of their heat or electric, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army. When faced with a health issue and no money for prescription medications, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army. When the cupboard is bare and their children are hungry, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army. When they're in need of a haircut, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army. When their monthly income doesn't last and they need a daily meal, who do they turn to? The Salvation Army.
For the past 124 years The Salvation Army has been providing help and hope to individuals, seniors and families in Calhoun County. Please consider making a donation today. Donations may be sent to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 93, Battle Creek, MI 49016.
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SALVATION ARMY ANNOUNCES WILD ON WEDNESDAY'S
Starting Wednesday, April 13th The Salvation Army will launch WOW. Wild on Wednesday's is a character building and environmental education program, built on the scouting tradition. The program will begin at 6:00 pm where children will receive a nutritious meal and then at 6:30 pm children will move to their classrooms where the fun will begin. This program is FREE and transportation is provided.
The program is designed for children ages 4 to 18. Children are divided into age appropriate groups: Moonbeams is for children ages 4 and 5, Sunbeams is for girls ages 6 to 11, Girl Guards is for girls ages 12 to 18, Adventure Corps is for boys ages 6 to 11 and Rangers is for boys ages 12 to 14. For more information, please call 269-963-3640 ext. 10 (Major Belinda Riggs) or ext. 17 (Marcie Gothard).
Prepared for life. In a world where innocence is leached away at earlier and earlier ages, growing up is harder than ever. Young people must navigate complicated situations and resolve dilemmas largely unknown in former generations. However, The Salvation Army understands that, in spite of the hazards of the day, a happy childhood is still one of the best gifts to share with succeeding generations. The organization helps parents and children make the early years a time of safety, learning and preparation for life.
Rooted in the scouting tradition, The Salvation Army's character building programs are biblically based with caring, trained leaders. Moonbeams is a pre-k and k program that helps children with basic learning and social skills. Sunbeams is a fun-filled program that helps girls age six-11 develop socially, mentally and spiritually. From learning to help at home to assisting others in the community and respecting nature, Sunbeams opens girls' eyes to how they can make a difference in the world around them. Girls in middle and high school are given the opportunity to join Girl Guards, a four-fold emphasis addressing their spiritual, physical, mental and social needs. Skill-development, personal growth and community service opportunities expand as girls learn to work together and independently in various environments. They are also encouraged to think seriously about career and life-style choices as they move into adulthood, based on what they've learned as a Girl Guard. Adventure Corps and Rangers programs for boys age six-14. Adventure Corps participants are encouraged to get out, explore the world around them and discover ways of serving God and others. By participating in a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, investigating museums, visiting nursing homes, memorizing Bible verses and camping, young men learn to overcome physical, mental and social challenges to grow into responsible adults.
Children bring joy. They refresh world-weary adults with their enthusiasm for the commonplace. In caring for them, adults are nurtured. In teaching them, adults learn. Indeed, children are a blessing, but they come with weighty responsibility. In their vulnerability they are absolutely dependent on adults to care for them and direct their growth.
The Salvation Army is deeply conscious of both the blessing and responsibility of children and sponsors hundreds of programs in the U.S. to promote their physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual well-being. It also partners with other local organizations and agencies to ensure safe places for children in need.
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Thank you to the everyone who supported The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. With your help we were able to meet and exceed our goal of $130,000. Many individuals, children and families will be blessed by your geneorsity. Families just like the one below. This is in response to a donation appeal letter from The Salvation Army.
"Some 50 years ago I was one of those people. I had a wife and four kids. I did not know which way to turn. I just got back from service and was fired from my job. I was too proud to take charity (welfare). I thought about committing robbery so they would have to put me in jail and the state would have to take care of my family. But as luck would have it someone turned in my name to The Salvation Army. To make a long story short. Yes, I remember the time when The Salvation Army helped me and my family. It was one of the best Christmases ever, and I've been thanking you ever since. I thank you again."
God Bless You
Sincerely,
John
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When you donate and volunteer for The Salvation Army, you're helping change a life. Thank you for partnering with us in changing lives at Christmas time and every day throughout the year.
December 1, 2010
Please use the enclosed donation for toys for children in Barry County. Almost 20 years ago I was a single mother, working part time and attending college when The Salvation Army helped me provide a brighter Christmas for my daughters. I appreciated the assistance back then more than I can adequately express and each year it brings back a feeling of warmth, joy and gratitude when I recall the generosity of those who gave.
Thanks again for blessing me and my family all those years ago.
P.S. Life is good now. I graduated from college. Have worked full time for 18 years and both of my daughters graduated from college. Life is good. Thank you!
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Salvation Army Youth Public Engagement Intern Israel
One of Israel's tasks during her fall internship was to create a science experiment booth for Kingman Museum's Spooky Science Saturday. Israel packaged 1000 coiling snake projects that were handed out to children at the event. She also designed the informational boards and decorated the booth with lots of snakes. She did a fantastic job.
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Calhoun Christian Students Volunteer at The Salvation Army
Students packed 1000 giveaway bags for The Salvation Army's booth at Kingman Museum's Spooky Science Saturday.
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Free Kids Program at The Salvation Army
Monday's 4:15 pm to 5:45 pm
Starting September 13th
for children ages 4 to 18.
Snack Time from 4:15 pm to 4:45 pm
Breakout sessions by age group from 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm.
Children will discover exciting things about themselves, their
peers, their community and their world through interactive
activities taught by trained volunteers.
We even provide transportation, call 963-3640 ext. 10.
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Looks To The Future
In July of 2007 a twenty year dream was realized with the purchase of the McKinley School property. The purchase of the former elementary has been a tremendous blessing for The Salvation Army. The services we provide have truly been enhanced. To find out how we currently use the property, please read the article "McKinley School-What We've Done With The Place" (this article can be found in the drop down menu on our home page). This building has also made it possible for us to envision other areas of service The Salvation Army could provide to the Battle Creek community.
This vision includes opening the gym for an after school recreational program, using two classrooms for a teen drop in center which would include a game room, creating a space for adult programming & local groups to hold meetings, building a computer lab for youth & adults, solving our shortage of office & storage space and providing a 200 seat auditorium which can be used for worship & performing arts programs.
With our vision in mind, The Salvation Army set out to find an architectural firm to help us realize our next dream. Through this search we meet Isaac Norris of Isaac V. Norris & Associates, P.C. Isaac and his firm created a design that fills all of our dreams for the future. Dreams of continuing the services we've provided for the last 123 years in Battle Creek and dreams of being a positive partner with the residents of the McKinley Neighborhood.
Currently, The Salvation Army has over half of the amount needed to build this beautiful addition. In the coming months we will work to acquire the other amount we need. We hope to break ground in 2010.
In its 145 year history The Salvation Army has never settled for doing just the minimum. We're always evaluation where we've been, where we at and what else we could be doing to help our neighbors and our community. We believe this addition is the next step in doing more for the Battle Creek community.