Charity Spotlight: Salvation Army

Major Dwayne Durham

A hand up for Ocala’s neediest

BY SHARON RAYE AND CARLTON REESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO

They are as much a part of the Christmas milieu as house lights, church choirs and garland and without them during the holidays would exist a palpable void. They would be the Salvation Army bell ringers with their iconic red kettles that bring in the spirited charity of passers-by.

The clinging bell amid the winter chill that greets shop customers as they come and go signals a holiday aura encompassing the cheer and benevolence unique to that season. For most people, the ritual of tossing change into that red bucket accompanied by the customary “Merry Christmas!” is the only acquaintance most have with the Salvation Army and for the 10 months of the year when the bell ringers are idle the organization is deemed out of sight-out of mind.

It is during those other 10 months, though, when all that giving comes to fruition in the form of a helping hand to those who need it most.

Not simply an organization that solicits donations for charitable causes, The Salvation Army is itself a ministry, part of the universal Christian Church. As such, its outreach encompasses myriad needs that all have enormous impact on a local level.

“It’s a two-pronged mission,” said Major Dwayne Durham. “We preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.”

Durham, who along with his wife, Marion, is a pastor in the church, has been a near life-long “soldier” in the The Salvation Army. Because of the organization’s mission of preaching the gospel, he fears a misconception among people that the orgnization’s services are relegated only to people of faith. He assures, this is not the case.

“It’s Christian-based, we have faith and service, and we are serving God, but we are also serving man.”

Along with the holiday fund raising, per-

“We expect people to take responsibility for themselves; we don’t want to do anything for somebody they can do for themselves.”

haps the most recognizable part of The Salvation Army’s mission is the thrift store. The store not only provides a source of funding for the many charitable endeavors of the organization, it also provides affordable goods that might otherwise go unpurchased and with the dignity that doesn’t come with a hand-out.

Many needy clients are able to use vouchers through The Salvation Army’s social services and it acts like a gift card at the store. Whereas some people can’t afford to buy clothes from a traditional clothing store or even regular household items from a discount retailer, these quality items are available at the thrift store located on Northeast 10th Street.

Through donations, goods are vetted, stocked and sold at the store which turns those revenues into food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and counseling for the distraught. Therein lies the diverse outreach of The Salvation Army, helping in places that many people might not have otherwise considered. The list of services boggles the mind:

The Emergency Shelter, a 40-bed men’s dorm and 20-bed women’s dorm that provides warmth and safety for those experiencing temporary homelessness.

Nutritional meals provided at a rate of two per day to thousands of homeless and low-income people each year.

The Family Emergency Services program, which assists families struggling to keep employment and homes. The program provides monetary help with food, clothing, furniture and even utilities as funds are available.

The Corrections Program works with the Marion County Misdemeanor Probation Department in assisting parolees’ efforts to fulfill court-ordered obligations. The program also provides ministry to prisoners and parolees.

Evangeline Booth apartment complex, subsidized by HUD, has 65 units for low-income seniors and offers recreational activities for them.

The Center of Hope is equipped with social caseworkers who provide case management to homeless, clothing vouchers, personal hygiene items, identification cards, daytime sleeping accommodations for those who work evenings, transportation to medical appointments and referrals to other agencies. Mental health counseling, anger management, VA counseling, and assistance with applications for food stamps and social security disability are also provided.

Holiday meals are provided during Thanksgiving and Christmas for the hungry. Food baskets, toys and clothing are provided to families unable to provide for themselves at that time of year.

The Angel Tree Program provides assistance with children’s gifts in providing a bountiful Christmas morning to those who might otherwise receive nothing under the tree.

With these services, Durham said that, “We expect people to take responsibility for themselves; we don’t want to do anything for somebody they can do for themselves.”

One of the world’s most recognizable charitable organizations, The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 in London by William Booth and his wife, Catherine. Known then as the East London Christian Mission, the name was changed in 1878 after Booth once described the mission as a “volunteer army.” Booth’s son is said to have exclaimed that he was no “volunteer” and instead was a “regular,” as in army parlance.

Booth himself then decided to model the structure of his organization after the military with uniforms and ranks for members – he being the first “General.”

“The reason that got started is because William Booth wanted people to understand that we are in a spiritual warfare,” Durham said.

Like most charitable organizations, the lifeblood is volunteers and donations. And like most charitable organizations during the recent pandemic, volunteers have been hard to come by.

“When we have normal time, we have the help of people in our feeding program to serve up the food,” he said. “We still have a couple volunteers for that, but it’s a lot less.”

Durham is hopeful that the worst of the pandemic is behind us and that this holiday season will look a little more normal.

“Last year, everyone had masks and everything had to be sanitized and we couldn’t handle money,” Durham said. “Unless there is an issue with a different strain (of virus), we would like to have as many people to help us with the bell ringing. When we don’t cover a bell-ringing site, that doesn’t give people an opportunity to give and they don’t see The Salvation Army and aren’t reminded that the need is there.”

Those looking to volunteer as a bell ringer or wishing to help out in any of the services provided by The Salvation Army may phone volunteer coordinator Shirley Hsu at 352-629-2004, ext. 306, or email her at Shirley.hus@uss.salvationarmy.org.