There To Serve In Life's Storms

Hurricane Issac, most recently "Tropical Storm Issac" steadily chugs towards the Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana coast line. News coverage reports that its path is strangely similar to that of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the state of Louisiana in 2005. 

That Salvation Army is prepared and ready to serve the residents of these states who may be affected by the storm. Disaster Relief Service has been a mainstay of the many programs and services rendered by The Salvation Army to those in need. The Salvation Army's very first foray into disaster relief in the United States came after the massive hurricane that destroyed Galveston, TX in 1900 and killed over 5,000 people. 

For the past 112 years The Salvation Army has been serving the victims of natural and man-made disasters. As of right now, The Salvation Army is staging 24 mobile feeding units called "Canteens" in Mississippi, each capable of serving 1,000 meals a day. Also, a massive 54' mobile field kitchen (shown above), capable of serving up to 10,000 meals a day is being readied for deployment. These units will be deployed across Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana as needed once the full impact of the storm is known. 

In addition to feeding, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide: 
· Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies 
· Hygiene kits 
· Drinking water 
· Shower units 
· First-aid supplies 
· Emotional/spiritual care 

The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in the storm’s path to prepare an Emergency supply kit and stay informed to all warnings. Disaster response professionals recommend having a three to five day supply of food and water for each individual of your family as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio. 
For more information regarding The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Service program please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. 

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by the 2012 Hurricane Season to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “Storm” to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word,“Yes.”

Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate “2012 Hurricane Season” on all checks.

About The Salvation Army 
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. 

Goodbye Summer...Hello Fall

Its been a busy, busy Summer here at The Salvation Army Waynesboro, VA Corps. Thanks to the generous  donations of our community 20 children in need were able to attend The Salvation Army's Camp Happyland at no cost. Our great friends at the Waynesboro Kiwanis Club were a huge help by donating $1,000 towards the Camp Happyland Fundraising Appeal.

Our inaugural Kid's Day Camp was a great success with an average of 15-20 kids per week joining our youth staff for fun, crafts, music, and Bible classes. This day camp was offered free of charge and we are thankful for supporters in the community that made this effort a success especially Zeus Digital Theaters who  graciously hosted our Kid's Day Campers.

With so many children heading to their bus stops this morning we are mindful that there are those in our community who need help outfitting their children for school. The days of a notebook, pencil, and backpack being all the required goods for school is over.  It is increasingly expensive to provide the required school supplies for children these days. Recognizing the need, the United Way of Greater Augusta and The Salvation Army partnered together for this year's Stuff The Bus. Over $35,000 worth of school supplies were donated! In Waynesboro, The Salvation Army provided 229 backpacks full of school supplies to families in need just in time for school to start this week, but that's not all. With the help of another great community partner, Target, The Salvation Army in Waynesboro was able to take 10 deserving children in need on a back to school shopping spree. All together, $800 worth of school supplies and clothing were donated by Target for our local youth. Nationwide, 11,700 children from The Salvation Army were able to shop for back to school supplies with $9,360,000 donated by Target. We are proud to count Target as a partner in Waynesboro.

Children have always been at the heart of The Salvation Army's mission to preach the Gospel of Christ and meet human suffering. The Waynesboro/Eastern Augusta County community has been so gracious and supportive of our mission. We are appreciative of every dollar, hour of volunteering, and donation of goods to our Family Store.

As we gear up for the school season, Fall, and eventually Christmas The Salvation Army has tirelessly worked on behalf of those in need in our community. We will continue to do so, but we need your help!

Looking ahead we need from our supporters:

• Donations of unexpired food for our Food Pantry. 
• Donations of gently used clothing and furniture for our Family Store @ 246 Arch Avenue. 
• Volunteers to man our Red Kettles starting November 9, 2012.
• Any monetary donations. Every dollar and cent can make a difference. Checks can be mailed to:

The Salvation Army

PO Box 1065

Waynesboro, VA, 22980

or 

online at www.salvationarmywaynesborova.org

Again, thank you for all your wonderful support. 

Lt. John Blevins, Jr. 

jb_blevins@uss.salvationarmy.org

Corps Officer

Waynesboro, VA

A Time to Appreciate....

Ecclesiastes Ch. 3 tells us that there is a time for just about everything..."a time to live...a time to laugh....a time to embrace". Well today at The Salvation Army we feel that it is a time to appreciate. The Salvation Army is so well known for its Christmas activities such as the Red Kettle Campaign and Angel Trees ,as well as Family Thrift Stores, that it is easy to overlook the year round services provided here in Waynesboro.

Did you know that since October 2011, The Salvation Army in Waynesboro has provided 806 meals, given away 4,225 pieces of bread, danish, and snacks to hungry families, provided 41 food baskets (non-Christmas), helped 341 families keep their utilities on, helped 106 families keep a roof over their head, and assisted a total of 1,094 men, women, and children?

At Christmas alone over 1,200 individuals are assisted with food and precious children afforded a Merry Christmas. None of this magically happens on its own. The dedicated staff at The Salvation Army rely on the generosity of this great community to accomplish these efforts.

We publicly thank groups like the Waynesboro Rotary, Kiwanis Club, Hershey Chocolate, Sheetz, Ntelos, Dupont Community Credit Union, Victory Worship, Augusta Health, McKee Foods, Mountain Valley Corporation, WHSV TV 3, NBC 29, and so many more for their support.

We thank our faithful and consistent donors who place their trust in The Salvation Army by giving of their hard earned financial resources. We thank our city leaders who support the work and mission of The Salvation Army.

In truth, there are so many people that The Salvation Army appreciates for them all to be named here but it should be said that this is a season to appreciate!

Again, a huge thank you to our community who make our mission possible.

God Bless You!

The Salvation Army
Waynesboro, VA 

PGI gives back.

PGI gives back

Blanketed with Generosity

Today representatives from the Waynesboro PGI (Polymer Group Incorporated) plant donated 200 blankets to the W.A.R.M. (Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry) and The Salvation Army Waynesboro Corps. These blankets are formed from a space age material specially developed by PGI for medical and disaster relief uses. 50 were donated to W.A.R.M and 150 to The Salvation Army.

These blankets will be used for diaster relief and warming the homeless. We thank the PGI staff for their generosity and support.

God Bless You,

Summer is coming!



It seems Spring is at our door and Summer is right around the corner. For many children Summer brings endless mornings to sleep in, play sports with friends, ride bikes, and so much more. Unfortunately, for many children in our community Summer means uncertainty about steady meals, baby sitting younger siblings while mom is at work, and unsupervised roaming. Families are struggling to make ends meet let alone thinking about providing summer day care or attending summer day camps. These activities are expensive for any family and impossible for single job families or unemployed parents. I say all of this because The Salvation Army has a plan!

Children have always been at the heart of our ministry. In Virginia, The Salvation Army maintains beautiful Camp Happyland located outside of Fredericksburg, VA. 200+ acres of first class camping/conference facilities with renovated cabins, a pool, lake with paddle boats, dining facility, educational buildings, a nature center and so much more. Camp Happyland's mission to provide a safe and secure Christian environment for at risk and needy children all across the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia. It has a first class staff of  Christian young people and college students, experienced Camp Directors, professional dining staff, and even a full time Registered Nurse. Camp Happyland is ACA (American Camping Association) Accredited which means that it adheres to the most strict safety and staffing measures in the camping industry. Every year thousands of children attend through The Salvation Army to Camp Happyland for a one week residential camping program that allows children to be children. The best part is that tuition and transportation are almost always provided at no cost to the families of children that attend. That is fantastic news for parents in need.

Camp is a wonderful opportunity for a child. I believe in The Salvation Army and its camping program. I attended The Salvation Army's Camp Tomahawk in West Virginia as a child, my parents served as Camp Directors of a Salvation Army camp, and I also served on staff for 8 Summers as a high school and college student at Camp Tomahawk. I have seen children's lives changed by the experience, a experience to forget the cares of the world they come from all just to be a child. I was changed by my experiences at camp. I ask you to consider providing a child an opportunity to just be a kid for a little longer before the world forces them to grow up too fast.

In Waynesboro, The Salvation Army provides this opportunity for 25 children in need. In order for us to do so we need generous minded members of the community to sponsor a child at $150 for one week of sun soaked fun at Camp Happyland. Those interested can contact me at jb_blevins@uss.salvationarmy.org

God Bless You!

Do Not Be Troubled!



“[Praise to the God of All Comfort] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Life comes with all sorts of troubles. Here at The Salvation Army we are usually introduced to families and individuals when life has handed them some sort of trouble. Financial, domestic, emotional, physical, and spiritual trouble abound send these folks to seek refuge at The Salvation Army. The scripture verse above tells us that we have a personal God who is not only interested in our troubles but compassionate to comfort us.

 The Salvation Army's social ministry is an extension of our spiritual ministry. We serve others because we serve the Living God; not for our benefit and glory but for His. We comfort those in trouble with what resources we have, but God is the ultimate comforter and we can only comfort others because of the love and comfort that Christ has shown to us. Our social service ministry is our testimony to God's goodness. In The Salvation Army there can be no social ministry without spiritual ministry and there can be no spiritual ministry without social ministry.

I call on our supporters to continue to help enable us to "Do the Most Good". We need your time, talent, and resources to help make a difference. If The Salvation Army is successful in Waynesboro it is only because of obedience to the Lord and your support.

Thank You and may God bless you richly,

There for you in the storms of life.



Last week thousands of families were affected by the devastating storms and tornadoes that ripped through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Many lost everything they owned and too many lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the storms. In the midst of this darkness we turn to God and pray for His peace and comfort.

The Salvation Army is working to relieve the pain and suffering of the men, women, and children affected by the storms. Salvation Army teams in Henryville, Ind., are serving 800 meals per day to tornado survivors and emergency personnel, and additional teams are prepared to serve 600 meals in the small town of Marysville, Ind., which was nearly completely destroyed by the tornadoes.

In addition, a Salvation Army EDS team based in Ashland, Ky., is providing aid to affected areas of Morgan County and coordinating with local Emergency Management officials to minister to the needs of first responders and survivors. Salvation Army canteens, or mobile feeding units, are providing food and beverages in the area, and additional canteens from Danville, Ala., and Murfreesboro, Ten., are expected on-site to provide additional support.
A team of Salvation Army social workers in Harveyville, Kan. are also continuing to provide aid to tornado survivors to help with immediate needs such as food, clothing, medicine, shelter, bedding and baby products. Salvation Army EDS teams have provided meals, snacks and drinks to nearly 2,000 people in the area, and will continue to operate mass feeding operations through the weekend.

If you want to find out how you can help: Monetary donations to go directly toward relief efforts can be made online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by texting the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone.* For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued response, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.

God Bless You,

Be Bold! The World Needs You.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Our world is a difficult one. Often enough its scary, tense, and heart breaking. Most of our world lives in physical poverty while the rest lives in spiritual poverty. We lose loved ones to illness, violence, accidents, etc. Some of our communities are torn apart by drugs. Our brothers and sisters across the oceans live with famines, epidemics, and war. Its enough to discourage even the strongest of faith.

Thankfully, The Salvation Army marches out to meet these problems not on its own strength and boldness but on that of Jesus Christ. His apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote the verse we see above. The Spirit of God does not make us timid and scared, but it gives us the power to be bold, to love, and to be self-disciplined. That's the kind of people our world needs to make a difference.

Be bold my friends! Not on your own strength but on that of Jesus. Our world needs you to make a difference today. Check out www.salvationarmy.org to find out more about what The Salvation Army is doing around the globe and how you can help.

God Bless You,

The Promise of a Future



“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

These beautiful words of scripture speak to a promise of hope that many in our world can't even begin to imagine. We meet many people who feel that they are at the lowest point in their lives. So many people in despair and without hope. We meet children and teens that can't imagine a future beyond teen pregnancy and living in the same generational poverty of their parents. We meet men and women enslaved to their addictions and feel there is no way to break free. We at The Salvation Army meet many people at their most vulnerable states and we want to be agents of hope. Yes, we may provide an avenue for rehabilitation, food for an empty stomach, or a place to shelter life's storms but these physical measures do not heal the wounds of despair and hopelessness.

It is our privilege to declare the word of the Lord in that He has a plan for everyone. He desires to give hope and a future. He offers an ear to listen to our worries, fears, and doubts. He offers his presence to comfort our spirits in times of trouble. All these wonderful gifts flow from a simple act of faith in God.

Our founder, William Booth knew the most effective way to minister to those in need was to address the physical needs as well as the spiritual. Today, we strive to meet those needs in Waynesboro with the understanding that it is God alone who offers the healing salve to restore our souls to hope. Faith in God through His son Jesus offers us unimaginable spiritual riches and the certainty of a future spent with Him.

The world needs hope. It needs it today. There are men, women, and children in Waynesboro who need hope. Will you be an Agent of Hope? The Salvation Army will through the grace of God. Join us in this mission to meet the needs of the suffering while always pointing back to the One who offers an eternal hope and future.

God Bless You,

"Poverty Shouldn't Have To Be A Life Sentence"



A new census report shows that 1 out of 4 young children (age 6 and below) live in poverty. That's not a statistic from the Third World. Its a fact from within the borders of our proud homeland, the United States of America. Its hard to believe that it could be true in the land of plenty but I'm afraid it is. The recession has taken its toll on our people. High unemployment of parents is the main contributor. The report goes on to say that these children are at risk for educational deficiencies, health issues, and malnutrition. Often times the media portrays these children as Appalachians kids or inner-city children but the truth of the matter is these 25% are in Waynesboro too.

We all have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. At The Salvation Army, we offer youth character building programs that promote healthy life skills with a Christian focus. We work with families to maintain housing, utilities, ensure food and medicine are available, as well as clothing. Our Christmas efforts help provide a "Merry Christmas" to over 800 children in need in Waynesboro & Eastern Augusta County every year. We partner with Target Stores for back to school shopping sprees as well as distribute 100 book bags with school supplies to families in need. Every summer 25 at risk children from our community attend our beautiful Camp Happyland at no cost. Children are at the heart of the mission of The Salvation Army and we need your constant support to make a difference.

Do you want to help? Volunteer.Contribute.Pray.

Learn more here: http://www.youthdownsouth.net/

God Bless You,

Doing the Most Good

Perhaps you have seen or heard The Salvation Army's motto of sorts "Doing the Most Good". At first glance it could seem like a statement of arrogance or pride, but we assure you that is not the case. It is a promise to those we serve. It is a reassurance to those who support us. It is a commitment between God and The Salvation Army. Evangeline Booth, daughter of the Founder, coined this phrase when she said "There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need."

That is the commitment of The Salvation Army to do the most good wherever we can. Its rarely easy or convenient to make good on this promise, but we knew it wouldn't be when we made it. The Salvation Army makes this promise, this commitment, to honor Jesus with our hearts and minds.

In the story of the "Good Samaritan" found in the book of Luke a smart man who knew the scriptures asked Jesus "What must I do to inherit eternal life?". Jesus asked the man to answer his own question with how he understood the scriptures to address that question. The man replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and all your mind, and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Jesus affirmed this answer by saying "You have answered correctly" and "Do this and you will live." (Luke 10:25-28)

Loving God with all your might and truly treating others as you would want to be treated is often a tall order. It takes commitment and love. The Salvation Army's commitment to upholding the promise to do the most good extends from Jesus' affirmation to love God with everything we have and to treat our neighbors with love and respect. Our neighbors today are every man, woman, and child suffering in need in our community. It is for those neighbors and Jesus that The Salvation Army promises to do the most good.

We covet your prayers and support while we are "Doing the Most Good" and we challenge you to make that promise in your own life to do the most good with your time, talents, and resources for the glory of God.

God Bless You.

Here We Go!

"Everyone's doing it!" is probably not a good excuse in most cases. Blogging has become an important source of information and outreach in the 21st century. We want to join in so that you can know all about what's going on at The Salvation Army in Waynesboro, VA.

I am Lt. John Blevins, Jr (JB) and I will be the maintainer and poster for this blog. Feel free to e-mail me anytime for more information on what The Salvation Army is doing. Also, feel free to stop by our facebook and homepage sites (click the links on the right).

Thank you for supporting us and we hope you enjoy our blog.