Warsaw Corps' Rotary relationship
Cadets Esteban and Karen Pommier receive a check representing Rotary donations to the Army since 1965.
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Cadets Esteban and Karen Pommier, in charge of the Warsaw, Ind., Corps, were honored to accept the 2011 annual donation from the Rotary Club, the total of which exceeded the club's goal of passing the million-dollar mark in its support of The Salvation Army since 1965.
"Area support for The Salvation Army has been strong," reported Ken Locke, community ministries coordinator. This generosity has facilitated Ken's efforts to assist others, particularly in light of the recent harsh economy over the last few years.
"The Warsaw Rotary Club partnered with the Army more than 90 years ago when we ‘invaded' Kosciusko County in 1921," Ken continued. "Many of our first advisory board members were Rotarians. In 1927, they started ‘Rotary Toy Day' to collect gifts for children in need."
To commemorate the Army's 100th anniversary as a Movement and to honor Brigadier Brice Phillipson, the Rotarians instituted an annual "Salvation Army Day" in 1965. Research of Rotary Club records in 2010 resulted in the discovery that their total giving to the Army since 1965 could surpass a million dollars if $24,000 was collected in 2011. Instead, the final tally for the year was $51,336.96!
"There are no words to adequately say ‘thank you' for what Rotary has done," said Ken at the check presentation. "With so many needs this year, as there've been in the past, Rotary has once again come alongside The Salvation Army."
Cadets Esteban and Karen Pommier also thanked the Rotarians for living up to their ideal of "Service Above Self" before Esteban closed the meeting in prayer.