Think the Salvation Army is old Fashioned – it has more use than you know!

Thank you very much for taking interest in my blog! Supporting the Salvation Army is something I have always done and would like to further advocate for all that they do. Not many people have heard of the Salvation Army, know what it is or what they do. Once you’ve read my blog, I hope that you will know a bit more about the Salvation Army and will feel that you want to help with the work they do.

The Salvation Army are often known as a church, but they are a charity as well. They do lots of work with the homeless and poor; helping them find their way back into the world. The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 as the East London Christian Mission. It was founded by William Booth and his wife Catherine. It was founded in the United Kingdom, but is now a worldwide organisation. It was founded as the East London Christian Mission. It was founded because Booth felt that alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes and other unwelcome impolite Christian society deserved the right to worship with god and be part of the Christian community.

The churches (they call them 'corps') are places of worship where Sunday meetings are held, but also provide a practical expression of the Christian faith during the week, when their doors are open to offer programmes and activities for the whole community.  These often vary, but could include youth activities, parent and toddler groups, drop-in centres, luncheon clubs, advice clinics and lots more.  The members will also offer emergency assistance such as groceries and clothing to individuals and families in need. This is only part of the hard work that they do.

The Salvation Army are forever at hand. At our luncheon club in Paignton, someone who was an alcoholic turned up. They did not have any other money; our leader happily gave them a meal and invited them to our Sunday meetings. Now, a few months later and they come most weeks to the Sunday meetings and are trying to get a job. If it wasn’t for the Salvation Army, they wouldn’t have a life like they have now, and they wouldn’t know what it feels like to work and earn money. This is what your donations go towards, as well as the food parcels, coats, the supportive work and various missions they aim to conquer etc.

They also, many times a week, go out collecting over various areas of the country. The Paignton Salvation Army corps, which I belong to, often go to Morrisons in Totnes to collect. The band also goes to places and concerts to perform with their uplifting and exciting music.

Here is when the Clevedon band came down to our Paignton corps to perform one evening.

I would like to thank you again for reading my blog. Please post me a response with your thoughts. In particular, it would be brilliant if you could write a few words focusing on the following questions and help in any way you can! For more information please visit http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ Please help boost more people’s lives so they can live their life like you. If you do post a response please could you tell me where you are from (i.e. your hometown or country, if not uk).

• Had you heard about the Salvation Army and what they do before you read my blog?
• Do you now feel more informed about what they do and how your donation counts?
• Would you now be prepared to donate or organise any fundraising events for the Salvation Army?

Many thanks!
Annabel