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,