Mary Margaret Whittington is Making a Difference in Rome, Georgia

Mary Margaret Whittington, a 25 year member of the Rome Corps Community Center’s advisory board has lived in Rome for all her life with the exception of the five years she studied at the Massey Business School in Atlanta.  When asked what made her unique in her community, she beamed with delight that she and her husband are fly fishermen and have caught fish in all 50 states.  In her work, she has a diversity of experience as she served as a congressional aide to Bob Barr, worked for AT&T in accounting, and she was a bank teller, a substitute teacher and a secretary.

It was her husband who introduced her to The Salvation Army 25 years ago.  As she stated, her husband served on the advisory board for two years then let her take over.  As chair of the Christmas Committee, Mary Margaret has consistently recruited volunteers to become bell ringers for The Salvation Army.  Her primary recruits typically come from Floyd Springs Methodist Church where she has been a longtime member.  Her volunteer bell ringers were part of the 48,483 Georgia volunteers who  brought about The Salvation Army Georgia’s 2010 success in raising $3,719,114 which enabled the Army the feed, shelter, clothe, and rehabilitate hundreds of thousands of Georgians throughout the year.   She brags that her volunteers have been the second or third top kettle performers for several years and it is probably because they literally put on a show of singing and dancing at the kettles to draw more donors in.  “Sometimes,” she says, “People give us money to stop singing and dancing!”

Other volunteers, of course, include her husband and two sons who have served Thanksgiving meals to the homeless and families who are struggling to make ends meet.  Because she loves feeding those who are hungry, she has prepared and brought meals for residents of The Salvation Army lodge which has room for men, women and children.   So many recipients have benefitted from her 20 year involvement with Christmas Food Basket applications.  Reflecting on her years helping families receive baskets, she says, “I’m thinking about learning Spanish so I can do a better job.”

As one who has a true passion for The Salvation Army, Mary Margaret is constantly talking to someone about the Army and its services.  If she knows friends are cleaning out their closets, she will remind them to donate to the Army.  She can also been seen around the community giving speeches about the Women’s Auxiliary which she is now rebuilding.

 

Mary Margaret Whittington is on a quest to help others learn more about how they can Be A Shield against hunger and homelessness for Rome’s less fortunate.  For her, the shield means “hope and help.”  When people come to the Army for hope, they are sure to find the help they need.

 

Roger Williams Leads Waycross Salvation Army in Fight Against Hunger

Roger Williams as publisher of the Waycross Journal-Herald has his finger on the pulse of almost everything that goes on in Waycross and Ware County.  Another way he tracks people, their lives and their needs is through his service as the Waycross Salvation Army Advisory Board Chairman.   He has been on the advisory board for 18 years since his installation in 1994.

As a father of three adult children, Rachel (42), Brad (39) and Matthew (36), Williams has plenty of time promoting the welfare of his community.  He is also a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Waycross and serves on numerous boards and committees including the Okefenokee Area Development Authority, Waycross Kiwanis Club, and University of Georgia Alumni Association.   In years past, Williams has also volunteered for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce, and American Cancer Society.

His work with The Salvation Army began when former Journal-Herald business manager, B. Morris Johnson invited him to join and attended his first board meeting in 1994.  The legacy had already been established by his late grandfather, Jack Williams, Sr. and late father, Jack Williams, Jr. who both served on the local Salvation Army advisory board.  As the current board chairman, he has enjoyed being a bell ringer during Christmas and providing food boxes to needy families in the area.  The memory of their expressions of gratitude continues to inspire him to seek out and address the needs of people who have little.  His goal of expanding the advisory board’s membership will facilitate The Salvation Army’s mission of meeting human need in His name without discrimination.

Waycross whose population is around 16,500 has a poverty rate of roughly 27%.  That means the Waycross Salvation Army stands ready to address many of the needs of those in the community.  Last year, the Waycross Salvation Army served meals to approximately 900 people and provided showers to almost 200 homeless individuals.  It operates a Family Store, provides food services, laundry and hot showers to the homeless, shelter from the cold, and social services that include providing clothing vouches, utility assistance and counseling services.  The advisory board knows that many more need help toward a better future, and it wants to be in a position to address those needs.  Williams uses his talents and expertise to help carry out the Army’s mission by regularly publishing news items in the Journal-Herald about the Army’s programs, activities, and client needs.

In a perfect world, Williams would eradicate child hunger because children are the most visible victims of undernutrition and suffer up to 160 days of illness each year because of it.   He says that poor nutrition plays a role in at least half of the 10.9 million child deaths each year and magnifies the effect of every disease, including measles and malaria.  He wants to do something about this and The Salvation Army as an international religious charity is the way he chooses to bring about change.

Roger Williams is a shield against hunger and homelessness.

 

Randy Quick is Making a Difference in Rome, Georgia

Randy Quick, Chair of the Rome Corps Community Center’s Advisory Board, is a lifelong resident of Rome and has an iconic voice that is recognized by everyone in the community.  He has been in the broadcast industry for 37 years and is the general manager for Rome Radio Partners.  He launched his career in journalism because he loved interacting with the public and has always been interested in journalism.  Randy has been on the advisory board for four years, but was introduced to The Salvation Army several years ago by a friend who was covering The Salvation Army Rome Corps’ Can-A-Thon.

Over the years, his own coverage of the Can-A-Thon brought him in contact with several corps officers with whom he developed great relationships.  One of the former chairmen of the Rome advisory board invited him to join the Can-A-Thon program and he was intrigued by knowing more about the work of The Salvation Army.  So he answered the call.  Each year, he rolls up his sleeves and helps the Rome Corps collect over 200,000 cans of food from the community which was part of the overall picture of 666,225 meals served to men, women and children in Georgia in the past year.

As advisory board chairman, one of his goals is better educating the community about what The Salvation Army does 364 days a year beyond Christmas.  He remains impressed with Captain Tim’s one-on-one and out of the box interaction with individuals as he walks the streets of Rome.  And he thinks more people should know about the extensiveness of The Salvation Army’s ministries.  He tells a compelling story of a F4 tornado that ripped through a couple of Rome subdivisions that left many homes demolished with just the foundations remaining.  Near the impacted neighborhoods was Pepper Middle School that was completely unscathed.  As families searched through the rubble, the first sign of hope and help came when they saw The Salvation Army feeding canteen onsite and serving meals.  Some were curious enough to ask where the canteen’s food had come from.  The answer:  the annual Can-A-Thon.  From that point, the Can-A-Thon was adopted by Rome’s school students who realized how blessed they were that fateful Palm Sunday when their schools withstood the storm and no one last their lives.

Randy has come to appreciate that over the years, Rome is not just a collection of individuals who are making a difference, it is truly a community that serves to Be A Shield against life’s daily struggles and unexpected tragedy.  His dream is to recruit citizen “Shields” through The Salvation Army.

 

James Jenkins of Griffin Feeds Community for 40 Years

James Jenkins, family man extraordinaire, has made his life in Griffin with his wife and 12 children ranging in age from 7 to 33 years old.   His blended family is not uncommon.  But what makes him and his wife special is their adoption of a crack baby that was abandoned at the hospital by his mother.  Jenkins says he simply cannot see someone suffer and not do something to help.  That makes him perfect for service as The Salvation Army Griffin Corps advisory board chairman.  He has held the position of chairman for four years and has volunteered on the advisory board for the past 18 years.

As one whose life revolves around food and the food industry, he brings a wealth of service experience to The Salvation Army.  He is the store manager for Piggly Wiggly and has worked for the company for 40 years.  Jenkins says he began working for the CNS Wholesale Group right out of high school and liked it so much, he made a career of it.  He notes that when you are in the food business, the issues of hunger and feeding spill over into many other aspect of your life.

He started a tradition of having his Piggly Wiggly store involved in the Red Kettle campaign annually.  Each year that the Griffin Salvation Army rings the bells at Piggly Wiggly, the kettles gross between $18,000 and $21,000 to help support Griffin’s Salvation Army programs like the food pantry, homeless shelter, youth programs, and disaster services that assist those most in need.  Although Griffin suffers from 15% unemployment rate, people are incredibly receptive to The Salvation Army and want to do what they can to support its mission.  Loyal supporters helped The Salvation Army in Georgia serve over 666,225 meals to the hungry last year.  In addition to approving his store as an annual location for the kettles, he engages his Rotary Club members who adopt the kettles at his store, providing an all-volunteer bell-ringer force.

The Red Kettles campaign is his favorite Salvation Army activity.  However, he equally loves supporting the children’s programs. Referring again to his 12 children, he reiterates how important he thinks it is to take care of children because they are the future and have their whole lives ahead of them.  His passion is seeing disadvantaged children receive opportunities that can make their lives promising for the future.  Of all the things one can accomplish in life, Jenkins says, “You’ve really done something if you can turn a life around.”  With that said, children plus The Salvation Army is a winning combination that he can’t help but be part of.  He is a shield for The Salvation Army by integrating his career of proving food for the community and leveraging the power of his partnerships to feed those who are emotionally, physically, and spiritually hungry.

Homelessness Becomes an Educational Lesson for Brunswick Woman

By Valerie Phillips Johnson

When DeLisa Smith walked in, she looked tired from the emotional strain she had been carrying since September 2011.  September marks the month she came to The Salvation Army Brunswick Corps’ homeless shelter.  And she was as shocked as anyone to find herself there.  A mother of an 18 year old son and 20 year old daughter, she became homeless when she and her husband separated.  She is certain her 22 year marriage will end in divorce.  And life has not gotten easier since she left home.  With an associate’s degree in accounting, DeLisa worked full-time as an accountant until eight years ago when she stopped working to care for several ill family members:  her mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law, all who are now deceased.

She says the first night she moved out of her home, she spent the night at the local hospital’s emergency room because she was scared and did not want to be alone.  Her son who learned where she had gone suggested she go to The Salvation Army’s homeless shelter where she has been for the past two and one half months.  She has been steadily looking for a job but has no other work experience except accounting and finds it difficult to get a job even at a fast food restaurant with managers stating that she is overqualified.

The Salvation Army in Brunswick has taken some of the worry away by giving her safe shelter, food, and counseling to help her get through this ordeal.  Last year throughout Georgia, Salvation Army Corps and service centers provided for these same basic needs and comforts to 278,899 individuals.  For the holiday, DeLisa will learn new skills by assisting the Brunswick Corps with processing Angel Tree applications for other needy families.

Although she is very sad, she is happy to see her children at least once a week.  The separation from her children is the most difficult part of her situation.  And she worries about them more than she worries about herself.  Fortunately, they are all receiving spiritual counseling at the Army.

When asked how being homeless has impacted her, DeLisa said that it has been a real eye-opener because she had never known how many homeless people lived in the area.  Before her own devastation, she had lived a sheltered life in the family’s neighborhood.  If nothing else, she has developed more compassion for those who are similarly situated.  DeLisa also had not known much about The Salvation Army which she sees as a wonderful Christian organization that helps people find a better way to live.  She is hopeful that The Army will help her meet her goal of becoming self-sufficient in the near future.

“Colton Family Says ‘Thank You Again’ to The Salvation Army”

By Valerie Phillips Johnson

Tilden and Charnette Colton have been married for 19 years and never thought the day would come when they would need the help of The Salvation Army.  The Newnan high school sweethearts met as freshmen and married after graduating, growing their family to include five children.  Even though they had almost finished raising their own three children, they found room in their hearts and home to adopt a teenage mom and her baby.  The Coltons who had dedicated much of their lives to being foster parents are no stranger to caring for other people’s children.  They now have guardianship of the teen mom and her two-year old child.  As Colton waited to process his request for Christmas assistance, he said, “We had always been on the other side of the desk giving help to others.  Now here we are at The Salvation Army sitting in the seat of those who need help.”  The biggest challenge for Colton was letting go of his pride and coming to The Salvation Army for assistance.  The approaching Christmas season convinced him and his wife to come so their children would enjoy the holiday.

Life had been good for this family for many years.  But the downturn in the economy impacted their business like it has so many others.  As an owner-operator truck driver, they reached a point of not being able to afford diesel for the truck.  The business suffered severely, and they got behind on mortgage payments and struggled with providing basic necessities for the family.

Acknowledging that the Lord has always blessed them, he knew another sign of blessing was a friend who told him about The Salvation Army which he had known little about other than the one childhood memory he had of the Army.  He reminisces that when he was a small boy, the family was very thankful for the Salvation Army’s assistance when their house burned down.  He and his family had not needed The Salvation Army for over 30 years until now.  But he was grateful to be about to call on The Salvation Army.  The Newnan Salvation Army Service Center provided utility assistance for the Coltons and gave the children toys for Christmas.  Last year, Salvation Army units in Georgia provided 155,379 individuals with utility assistance and 211,385 children received toys for Christmas.

Mr. Colton who is also the pastor of a small church says he hears God’s message in his family’s struggle.  Through that message, he is affirmed in his belief that relationships are more important than anything else and vows to keep his family together no matter what.  The other message ringing loudly in his heart is to keep loving and helping people who have it worse than he does.  In many ways, he and his family live out the mission of The Salvation Army.  Colton says, “When people lose their jobs and suffer, we all suffer.”  As he stands on both sides of the pulpit, He also acknowledges that God allows us (ministers) to go through the storm ourselves so we can grow more compassionate and know first-hand what others are going through.  It can only make your ministry stronger and more effective.  The Coltons are thankful for the blessing of The Salvation Army in their lives and urges others not to wait too long before they seek the kind of help the Army provides to thousands every day.  The Newnan Salvation Army Service Center meets the human needs of its community through the food pantry, financial assistance for rent and utilities, clothing voucher program, family store, disaster services, and spiritual support.  For more information, visit www.salvationarmyatlanta.org.

Anonymous donor is a shield against hunger this Holiday Season

This weekend in Milledgeville, an anonymous man came to The Salvation Army with his arms filled with food boxes. He said, “I would like to donate these food boxes to your elderly angels. I am unable to buy bikes, but I can’t stand to know someone is going hungry.”

Now that is the act of kindness and compassion, and giving even when you have nothing to give. This makes me think about the kettles I have passed and not given money to, because I “needed” the money to buy presents for my family. It’s not too late to give this holiday season. Whether it’s your time, money or resources, The Salvation Army in your community needs YOU! Click here to see how you can Be a Shield in your community…

Click here to donate now.

 

Single Mother of Three Finds Columbus Salvation Army to Keep Family in Home

By Valerie P. Johnson

The story of LaShelle Rutherford reminds us that she is not just another number. She is one of 489,222 Georgians who have lost their jobs due to the economy. In fact, she was laid of just last month in October and did not know where to turn for help. Because she had never been late paying her rent before, her landlord knew there was something seriously wrong and referred her to the Columbus Salvation Army for rental assistance. There at the Columbus Salvation Army Social Services, she was assigned a caseworker who counseled her and guided her through the process of applying for assistance. Last year, through The Salvation Army Project SHARE collaboration with Georgia Power, 34,695 individuals like LaShelle received utility, housing, and food assistance after falling on hard times. A 29-year old single mother with three children, ages 14, 10, and 5, she attended the University of Phoenix for two years, but caring for her children alone stalled her progress. But she is sure she will finish her degree one day, especially with the support of her children who are very understanding and patient with their current situation. She said, “My kids know Mom is having a very hard time, but they motivate and encourage me to keep trying.” And with a tearful grin, she chuckles that even her 5-year old will occasionally offer her a dollar to help pay the bills. LaShelle smiled at what The Salvation Army means to her and her family, saying, “Without them, we would probably be homeless.” She sees The Salvation Army as a family-oriented organization that is always there supporting parents who are trying to do the best for their children. A true advocate and one who wants to “Be A Shield” for others even in her time of need, LaShelle says that she tells people about The Salvation Army every day.

The Salvation Army in Rome provides food and support

By Valerie Johnson

Charles Cox, who has become a “regular” at The Salvation Army Rome Corps, rides his bicycle twice a week to pick up his food in installments. That’s because the bicycle’s basket can only hold so much food at one time. He has been coming to the Rome Corps for about three years and was one of 666,225 individuals who received meals and food assistance from the Army in Georgia during 2010. He is also one of the increasing numbers of highly educated persons who suffered a series of personal setbacks that ultimately rendered him incapable of managing the most basic daily tasks. “What catapulted my life into crises,” he said, “was the sudden death of my soul mate, Elizabeth, whom I counted on to keep the bifurcated parts of my soul stitched together.” A writer with a doctorate of philosophy and who reads six different languages, Charles has studied at some of the most prestigious universities in the world but now finds himself needing the assistance of The Salvation Army in Rome to help him get through each day. He admits that his schizophrenia makes life very difficult, but through the help of Corps Officers Captain Tim and Eileen Farrell and their staff, he has a steady supply of food so that he doesn’t have to worry about daily meals. He is also proud that the staff in Rome helped him get a library card which keeps him immersed in the world of art and literature which is for a scholar like himself as life sustaining as his access to the Army’s food pantry. A very forthcoming man, he volunteered an introspective thought as he was leaving and said, “I’ve suffered a lot these last 10 years, but I’m a better human being for it.” When asked if he would come to The Salvation Army this year for Thanksgiving dinner, he smiled and said he’d drop in for sure.

Eddie Hooks, “Shedding Old Armor for a New Shield”

By Valerie Phillips Johnson

Eddie Hooks, 54, who has a slight but muscular build and plenty of tattoos, wears the face of one who has endured a lot of struggle for a lot of years.   Cutting straight to the heart of the matter, Eddie shares that he has recently completed 28 years of a life sentence in prison.  While he declined to give specifics about the conviction that resulted in his loss of freedom, he freely reflected on prison life, his adjustment to being on the “outside” and whether he has a place in society.  He has realized that he does have a place.  Now his journey will entail finding out where he belongs and what he is supposed to do with the rest of his life.  The learning curve will be very steep for Eddie as he looks back on what he has missed and shakes off a mentality that was necessary to survive and adapt to what he describes as a system that perpetuates a violent and dysfunctional life in prison.  “It’s one that breeds anger and bitterness,” he says, but he’s slowly learning to shed the armor he hid behind to protect himself.  It is now the shield of The Salvation Army in LaGrange that offers guards against threats to his new life.

Much of his guidance and support today comes from the LaGrange Corps Officer, Lieutenants Chris and Billie Powell whom he has known for almost two years.  He heaps praise on them because they have, along with Salvation Army staff become like his family.  Eddie admits that he’s not surprised that his 86 year old father would not give him a place to live after his release from prison because their relationship had long been strained.  With no home to return to, the Department of Corrections sent him to The Salvation Army LaGrange Corps for assistance in finding a home, and to complete his work-release program.  Although many of The Salvation Army’s homeless clientele have not experienced the same difficulties as Eddie, he represents one of 278,899 individuals in Georgia who received shelter assistance from The Salvation Army last year and received a second change for a better life.

Working with The Salvation Army has been the steadying force that helped him realize his value and ability to do good for someone else in need.  But that realization did not come without another run-in with the law over a DUI arrest that nearly undid his freedom.  The need to self-medicate with alcohol overwhelmed Eddie.  It was The Salvation Army though that pulled him back again and helped steer him from a self-destructive path.   The warden also saw a contrite heart and allowed Eddie to volunteer with The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.

He has many hours of community service to complete, stiff fines to pay, and has lost his driver’s license.  Despite all of his losses, Eddie has a grateful heart, and is humbled by how many blessings he has received.  Part of his transformation is learning how to let people get close to him.  And his fiancé has taught him to forgive himself and his past, emphasizing that if you live in the past, you can’t live for the future.

Being part of The Salvation Army is personal for Eddie.  As he states, “The Salvation Army has allowed me to be part of something bigger than myself, and it’s made me realize how much I like helping people.”  The Salvation Army in LaGrange is for him, representative of the small town touch that is typical of what he describes as a closed and open place.  By that, he means that it’s a small and traditional community that also has its arms wide open and has pulled together to “keep him out of trouble and on the path to success.”  As a community, they are committed to not letting him go back.  And while the love of total strangers defies logic for him, Eddie who once denied the existence of God, now accepts the love and support from The Salvation Army as a gift from God and vows to lead a life of service that honors all that is good righteous.