More Good News | The Salvation Army Empire State Division Christmas Newsletter 2018

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Empire.SalvationArmy.org

CHRISTMAS 2018

good news How you’re doing the most good in New York

You are a lifeline for struggling families at Christmastime and throughout the year.

Read how you provided one family a very special holiday ...

Commander’s Corner

What do you think of when you hear the words “The Salvation Army” and “Christmas?” A red kettle worker singing carols in the snow? A child smiling over an unexpected new toy or coat? A family receiving a Christmas basket, brimming with a turkey and all the trimmings?

We do, too. But we see more. We see a lonely woman making a new friend at a Salvation Army seniors’ program.

A middle-aged man enjoying a Christmas party with his fellow veterans, friends he made at The Salvation Army camp last summer. An at-risk teenager being introduced by a Salvation Army officer to the baby whose birth we celebrate at this time of year. Our minds flood with pictures of people coming together, feeling more connected, and moving out of the cold into a place of warmth and welcome.

What a wonderful blessing it is to see—up close and in person—the true meaning of Christmas demonstrated by those who make caring for others their business.

We want to thank you being an irreplaceable part of the ministry of The Salvation Army, not only during this season, but throughout the year. Thank you for the commitment you’ve shown and for believing in the value of every person, from the greatest to the least.

Have a memorable and joy-filled Christmas.

Your Support Helps Bring Christmas Joy to Families Like Chris’.

Chris, a newly divorced single parent, was attending college to study accounting while also trying to support his young son and daughter. But every month was a struggle to pay for his education and monthly bills.

There simply wasn’t going to be enough left for Christmas.

“I knew I could be happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Christmas dinner,” Chris says. “But my kids deserved better than that. So I called The Salvation Army to see if they could help.”

“The extraordinary love I received from total strangers transformed my life,” Chris says.

They could. And not only did they provide food and gifts for his children, Chris received an unexpected gift, too: “The extraordinary love I received from total strangers transformed my life,” he says. “I felt connected to this community in a way I never did before. And I knew I had to give back someday.”

Last Christmas, that day came. As a new professional accountant, he used his ties in the business community to organize other young professionals, like himself, to volunteer at The Salvation Army, helping parents pick out gifts for their children at our annual toy distribution event.

Thank you for making a profound difference in the lives of people like Chris at Christmas and all year-round.

Majors Christine and Ivan Rock Divisional Commanders

Thank You for Keeping the Spirit of Christmas Alive!

It was already late in the holiday season when we received this heartbreaking email from Bethany, a mother desperate to save Christmas for her 10 children.

Hello, I am reaching out in desperation. My husband and I have 10 children. We were looking forward to a decent Christmas—nothing special, but we did expect to get presents for our children. Until my husband recently got laid off his job.

A Salvation Army caseworker reached out to this mother immediately and invited Bethany to come shop for gifts for all her children. The Salvation Army also provided her family with food, a gift certificate to Target, and a gift card for gas to help her husband to get his new job. Bethany was overwhelmed with gratitude for the help she received so close to Christmas—thanks to your compassion and generosity.

He does have an interview for a new job tomorrow.

But it’s already so close to Christmas. Christmas is looking awfully bleak for our children. And they don’t deserve that. I can’t imagine them waking up on Christmas day and seeing that there is nothing under the tree for them.

I know there are so many other children who need your help this Christmas. But is it too late? Can you help me keep the spirit of Christmas alive for my children?

Bethany

Make “Doing The Most Good” your legacy, too You can ensure a portion of your life’s work continues advancing your highest values by leaving The Salvation Army in your estate plans.

You will have peace of mind knowing that your estate will be distributed exactly as you want. And you will have joy in your heart knowing that struggling children and families will receive the help they need to overcome all manner of trials for generations to come.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

—Isaiah 9:6

To learn more, please call Kristi Brennan, Divisional Director of Planned Giving, at (888) 434-1391 or kristi.brennan@use.salvationarmy.org Empire.Salvationarmy.org

Thank You

Empire.SalvationArmy.org

Volunteers Needed This Christmas!

... for making life better for so many struggling children, families, and seniors in our community.

To help more neighbors in need, please send your next gift with the enclosed reply slip today. Your compassion will transform lives!

Sign up today.

Be a bell ringer.

Now recruiting bell ringers for the 2018 holiday season.

We’re fighting for good—and we need your help. Sign up to ring the bell at a Salvation Army red kettle this Christmas, and you’ll help raise money to fund our initiatives all year long. Sign up online at http://salar.my/ringthebell.

? know Did you

A Salvation Army Bell Ringer Breaks World Record

In December 2016, Jamie Richardson, a Salvation Army bell ringer in Biloxi, Mississippi, broke a world record by standing and ringing his bells for 151 hours straight!

Please consider becoming a True Neighbor by signing up to make monthly donations. Your regular gifts will be used to do the most good year-round by providing nutritious meals for hungry children, disaster services, and relief for struggling neighbors.

True Neighbor

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Learn more at TrueNeighbor.org

The day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve

35%

Proceeds help fund Salvation Army initiatives 365 days a year

To learn more about The Salvation Army visit our website at Empire.SalvationArmy.org Photos and services reflect actual Salvation Army programs from around the U.S.

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Christmas fundraising is responsible for approx. 35% of The Salvation Army’s annual income

Your gift to The Salvation Army will be used now and throughout the year to support Salvation Army services in our community.