Salvation Army, Not Just A Religion, A Charity Worth Giving To

Last year during the Christmas season, I began to enter a store I’ve shopped at regularly for years. I stopped at the entrance of the store because I felt something was wrong. Then I realized that there was no bell ringing and no Salvation Army by volunteering his or her red kettle. I went to the store and asked the manager if he knew why the Salvation Army volunteers were not outside. He stated that the company has received complaints from people who are not happy that religious organizations asking for donations in front of the company store. He stated that the company has decided that they would no longer allow the Salvation Army to have a space outside the shop. In this way the company will not offend people. I told the manager that they have just offended me. I walked out and never again shop at the store or at one of the company’s other stores.

Every year I know it’s Christmas season when I saw the Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells and stand beside the red donation kettles or buckets. Every time I see one red bucket I put $ 5, $ 10 or $ 20 in the bucket and thanked the volunteers for being there and allowing me to make a donation. I thank them because I believe that they are doing to help me by allowing me to help people through the Salvation Army. They are the ones who must stand for hours while they rang the bell all I need to do is put money in the bucket. They are not paid to do this they just do it out of love for fellow human beings. I not only donate at Christmas time, I also sent an anonymous donation (For my own ideological reasons most of my contribution to the entity most made anonymous.) At the time of year and if there are other disasters.

I am not connected in any way with the Salvation Army nor have I ever received help from them. Salvation Army is a Christian religious organization, and although I am a Christian I am a Catholic. Some people ask me why I give to the Salvation Army instead of the Catholic Church. I told them that I give to the Church, but I also give to the Salvation Army. As far as I’m concerned about the Salvation Army is one of the best charities around. They try to help every person and every regardless of race, color preferences nationality, sexual or religious beliefs. They never try to convert anyone who knew and they never seem to be involved in any kind of politicization. The only thing I’ve ever seen them do is help people. They have their beliefs but as far as I’ve seen they do not try to force their beliefs on others.

Salvation Army is a religious organization, they have a ministry, they have members, and they preach the Gospel of Christ to the people, however, as far as I know they do not preach to people who do not want to hear them and they never require a person- people that they help to join them. When I was young, I knew a girl whose family belongs to the Salvation Army. Not once did they ever try to “convert” me, not once did they ever try to persuade me to go into service with them and not once did they ever try to do something else is being nice to me. At that time I was agnostic, and they know this, but they never tried to change my mind and they never judge me.

According to the Salvation Army, “83 cents of every dollar collected by the Army goes directly to client services”, this is one of the highest percentages of any non-profit organization in the world. Among the services they provide are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDS education and housing, medical facilities, shelters for women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correction services, and substance abuse rehabilitation. More than 30 million people a year are assisted in some form by services provided by The Salvation Army.

Salvation Army is actively engaged in combating international crime, human trafficking and sexual abuse. The battle fought on two fronts: shaping public policy in Washington, DC, as well as providing basic services and advocacy for victims. They run 120 adult rehabilitation centers across the nation, these centers focus solely on defeating substance abuse. Individuals with identifiable and treatable needs go to the centers for help when they are no longer able to overcome their addiction. They receive housing, nutritious food and necessary medical care, and those involved in occupational therapy. Salvation Army also operates 18 locations throughout the United States, which provides a comprehensive treatment program for men and women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Clients primarily homeless, with limited access or no other treatment or social service programs. Educational assistance along with classes such as relapse prevention and anger management prepares graduates for independence and meaningful work. Every year, thousands of adults served by The Salvation Army through various programs. At community centers Salvation Army, a senior may find education classes, adult day care, hot-lunch program, and the “league of mercy,” a public awareness service that sends volunteers to hospitals, nursing homes, and directly to live at home to provide a listening ear, a caring heart and helping hand.

They provide needy families with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, gifts for kids, coats and shoes for children by not wearing, and visits to the elderly and imprisoned who have no one to care for them. Families who really need the basics such as food, clothing and household during the holidays is placed in the care of Army Families Adopt program. Each family makes a wish list of items and match with a team of volunteer donors. Businesses, families and school groups adopt families in the program, generously meeting the needs of families and instill hope in those who do not have it.

Salvation Army may be a religious organization but their main function seems to help those in need. As such they are a charity worth donating to. A worthy charity that your donation, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year. Help them help others. You do not have to be a Christian to give to them, you do not even have to believe in God. All you have to believe in is helping others.

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