‘Angels’ further Salvation Army’s mission
On behalf of The Salvation Army, I would like to extend our deepest thanks for the extraordinary generosity shown during the 40th annual Give-A-Christmas campaign, facilitated with kindness by the Herald-Standard. Thanks to your support, we raised a remarkable $24,707-shattering our $10,000 goal. Every dollar stays local, directly serving our neighbors in need. This milestone also brings our 40-year total to over $1 million raised for Fayette County and surrounding areas.
For those who do not know me, I would like to share one of the many, many reasons I love what we do at The Salvation Army. When I was a young girl, my siblings and I lost our father in a tragic car accident. My mother pinched every penny just to keep us fed and warm. That Christmas, my grandmother acted as our angel. She gifted us dresses for Christmas Eve service, but my shoes were torn and old. She told me there was one more special present just for me. I will never forget the joy of opening a breathtaking pair of shiny black dress shoes. They were the first brand-new shoes I had ever owned. I remember running my fingers over the smooth material and quickly wiping away my fingerprints with my sleeve. That moment is etched into my heart. It drives everything we do at The Salvation Army. I want every child, everywhere, to feel what I felt in that moment. I want parents to be empowered to provide those moments for their children, no matter their financial situation.
Children need angels. Unfortunately, not everyone has those family members, able to help make little miracles happen. And that’s where The Salvation Army steps in, all made possible by friends like you. Whether it is food in an empty pantry, toys under a tree or a warm meal and blanket for a person in the cold, we strive every day to provide hope, love, joy and care to others.
While we exceeded the Give-A-Christmas goal, the need is still great. Our work never stops, and our programs continue year-round. To learn how you can get involved, visit our website salvationarmywpa.org/Uniontown or give us a call at 724-437-2031.
Thank you for being an angel and friend to our community. May God bless you.
Christine Bell, The Salvation Army of Uniontown