Frontlines

Colonel Edward Hill, chief secretary, and members of Calgary’s Glenmore Temple Band support the local kettle campaign

The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign raised $23.5 million this holiday season—well exceeding the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s $21.6-million goal and the amount raised through last year’s campaign. This total includes $360,642, which was raised by National Recycling Operations in thrift stores across Canada. These funds will be used by local ministry units to operate community and social service programs throughout the year.

As part of running a successful campaign, The Salvation Army relies on many corporate partners across the country, who allow the Christmas kettles to be placed at their stores. The Army is particularly thankful for the support of Costco, where kettles collected $1.3 million, and Walmart, where kettles brought in $3.5 million.

“We are grateful to all our partner organizations, volunteers, employees and officers for their leadership and commitment to the territorial Christmas effort,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, secretary for communications. “These funds will help us feed, clothe, shelter and empower marginalized and vulnerable people in 2020. It’s heartwarming to witness the compassionate giving of Canadians to assist struggling people in their local communities.”

The Salvation Army in Grande Prairie, Alta., has partnered with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre to open a community kitchen in November. The partnership aims to enhance and expand existing feeding programs offered by the Army and the Indigenous Friendship Centre, providing nutritious, safe and culturally appropriate food for individuals and families in need. The partnership also represents another step in the Army’s journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The launch of the community kitchen was made possible in part by the City of Grande Prairie, which provided a start-up grant worth $72,000. Along with collaborating financially, staff from the Army and Friendship Centre will share meal preparation duties. The new community kitchen, which is housed at the Friendship Centre, operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., providing three meals a day from Monday to Friday, with plans to expand to seven days a week in the future. Grande Prairie Launches Community Kitchen

Salvationists in Kemptville, Ont., were rejoicing in November as the local Salvation Army corps held a praise party to celebrate its official reopening. The event featured a time of worship, a special presentation by the youth and children’s ministry, and enrolments, as well as refreshments following the service. Leadership of the event was provided by Calvin and Erin Wong, pastors, Kemptville Church, with support from Lt-Colonel Sandra Rice, divisional commander, Ontario Central-East Division. “Kemptville is a missional church where worship is the central act, celebrating the goodness of God with joy and thanksgiving,” says Erin Wong. “We practise genuine hospitality, and believe in cultivating the spiritual discipline of celebration, understanding that the way we behave toward one another is an integral indicator of our spiritual health.”

The Salvation Army originally “opened fire” in Kemptville in 1888. In the years following, various Army ministries thrived and, in 1981, rummage sales evolved into the opening of the town’s first Salvation Army thrift store. As the church experienced ups and downs, there was a decline in membership and, in 2002, a restructuring took place that involved closing the corps. The Army’s presence in Kemptville remained strong through community and family services, as well as the thrift store, which operated in the former corps building. Kemptville Corps Holds Grand Reopening

Today, the Army cares for local individuals and families through various ministries, including a food bank, cooking classes, income tax clinic, car repair ministry, emergency shelter, thrift store vouchers for emergency clothing and household items, and much more.

“With women’s, men’s, family, youth and children’s ministries, there is something for everyone at Kemptville Church,” says Wong. “Exciting times are ahead as we look forward to relocating both the church and the thrift store to larger facilities to accommodate growth. Praise and glory to God for what he has done!” A full house celebrates the reopening of Kemptville Church at a praise party in November

Salvation Army in Australia Responds to Bushfire Crisis

A Salvation Army canteen serves firefighters in Australia

As the new year dawned, the world watched in horror as massive bushfires devastated much of Australia, forcing thousands of people across the country to flee their homes. By mid-January, the bushfires had burned an estimated 15.6 million acres, while millions of animals had perished. As the crisis escalated, The Salvation Army mobilized across Australia to provide emotional, spiritual and material support to firefighters, volunteers and evacuees.

With the Army active across several states, a national response has been co-ordinated by the Army’s strategic emergency and disaster management (SEDM) team. Major Topher Holland, general manager, says the emergency response involves all expressions of The Salvation Army. “The SEDM team is facilitating, but we are working alongside the corps and the local community who are doing amazing work,” he explains. “All parts of our Army are involved, partnering with the local community.”

Major Holland notes that the Army is working across multiple phases of disaster response. The first phase involves Salvation Army emergency service (SAES) personnel and volunteers feeding and providing support to first responders and assisting with the management and service of evacuation centres.

Phase two is an initial assessment and provision of emergency financial support to those affected. Phase three is the recovery phase—providing financial support for those affected following a more detailed assessment of the individual or family’s needs.

“The nature of this unprecedented and ongoing disaster means that in some areas we have moved into our recovery phase and, in other areas, we are still providing emergency response,” Major Holland says.

Ongoing Response As of January, Salvation Army personnel were active in evacuation centres across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). In Sale, Victoria, people were airlifted by military helicopter to a centre with the capacity for 300 people—with 300 beds supplied by Salvos Stores, The Salvation Army’s thrift store chain. In Bega, NSW, Army workers, volunteers from other churches and community members united to serve 3,000 people at the peak of the emergency. SAES teams were also feeding firefighters in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and at Bulga in the Hunter Valley.

Captain Ben Knight, corps officer, Batemans Bay, NSW, says he has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and local businesses. “It’s astounding how the community has come together,” he says. “We would be talking among our team and saying, ‘What are we going to do for dinner?’ and in walks a business owner saying, ‘I’ve got 500 of this or 500 of that ... Do you need them?’ ” The Salvation Army has also been providing support in South Australia, notably at Kangaroo Island where fires have destroyed more than half of the island, consuming the national park and extending into farmland. SAES personnel have worked tirelessly to prepare meals for hundreds of firefighters and emergency personnel and give those emergency workers some respite.

Recovery Efforts In the northeastern state of Queensland, recovery is underway in various parts of the state following bushfires from earlier in the season.

“We haven’t forgotten about those people who remain affected by earlier emergency events,” says Adam Cole, SEDM co-ordinator for Queensland. “We are still in these places working our best to make a positive difference in the recovery phase.”

Even as the fires continued to rage around the nation, Major Sue Hopper, SEDM specialist, Queensland, was in Sydney to assist with recovery efforts.

“We are providing Salvation Army grants from our public appeal to people who have lost their homes, as well as offering a listening ear, support and hope,” she says. “What we’re doing is immediate help and gives people a bit of hope—something to move forward with one step at a time.” At the beginning of January, the Canada and Bermuda Territory launched its own appeal in support of the Australia Territory’s bushfire crisis response. By mid-month, more than $300,000 had been raised. To donate to the appeal, visit salvationarmy.ca/emergency.