Leadership Blog: Previous Events & What's To Come!

Dear Friends,

We’re four months into 2013 and have plenty to report:

North Texas Tornadoes -- One Year Later

In April 2012, the DFW Metroplex was hit by 17 severely damaging tornadoes, affecting thousands of residents in our local communities.

The Salvation Army was on site in the affected areas, including Lancaster, Forney, and Arlington. We assisted 89 different households, distributing 100 sets of furniture donated by jcpenney, as well as providing mattress vouchers, home repairs, Walmart gift cards, food, temporary lodging, and other household goods. This assistance is valued at $315,254.

We also purchased and donated a replacement manufactured home to a family in need. Here’s a video of Tina and Fred on the day their home was delivered.

As this year's tornado season begins, we urge  you to take the necessary precautions to be ready. Learn how you can be prepared at The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services website: http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org

2013 Doing the Most Good Annual Luncheon

Elizabeth Smart giving her keynote address
at the 2013 Annual Doing The Most Good
Luncheon in Fort Worth.

On April 3, Elizabeth Smart was the keynote speaker for our 2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth. Elizabeth shared how she overcame the trauma of being kidnapped at age 14 and held captive for nine months. She told the crowd of 600 how she held onto the memory of her mother's love to help her cope with everything she went though during the traumatic experience.

Thank you to everyone who attended. We greatly appreciate the support of presenting sponsor BNSF Railway Company. We’re also grateful for the efforts of the luncheon committee led by honorary chair Kelsey Patterson and event chairs Pat and Doug Lorimer. The luncheon raised $210,000 to support our programs in Fort Worth that bring hope and deliverance for local citizens who are homeless, hungry, or addicted. 

Here's coverage of the luncheon by CBS 11:

Thank you to everyone who attended
this year's garage sale in Fort Worth!

Texas-Size Garage Sale

What an incredible turnout for this year’s Texas-Size Garage Sale in Fort Worth, organized by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Tarrant County!

Hundreds of shoppers found bargains on electronics, furniture, antiques, framed pictures, clothing, and more, raising nearly $30,000! Proceeds from the sale will help us continue to provide programs and services to people in need in Fort Worth.

Thank you to The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary for a wonderful job organizing the event. Can’t wait till next year!

Emmitt Smith addressing the media during the tour of
the North Texas Youth Education Town

Youth Education Town Hard Hat Tour

Emmitt Smith, chairman of the North Texas Youth Education Town located at our community center in Arlington, led a media tour of the new facility, set to open later this year. Salvation Army donors and supporters also enjoyed going on the hard hat tour of the new facility currently under construction, as well as learning of the programs that will be offered to help local children. 

A legacy project of Super Bowl XLV, the North Texas Youth Education Town will host programs in music, art, computers, fitness, and education.

Albertsons All-Star Gala

Albertsons hosted its All-Star Gala at Cowboys Stadium on April 9. The gala featured Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys, former Dallas Stars hockey player Mike Modano, Arlington Mayor  Robert Cluck, former Dallas Cowboys star Charles Haley, and TV personality Scott Murray.

The gala benefited local charities, including The Salvation Army.

Upcoming Events

Coming soon!

Echelon Inaugural 30M Gala

Echelon, our young professionals group, is hosting its inaugural 30M Gala Weekend on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 in Dallas. The gala is a great opportunity to bring together a new generation of supporters to celebrate the compassionate work of The Salvation Army. 

Echelon named their event the 30M Gala to spotlight the significant fact that The Salvation Army serves 30 million people across the USA annually.

Learn more about Echelon and its gala at Salvationarmyechelon.org.

Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon - Denton

The Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Denton will be on Wednesday, May 1 at the Apogee Stadium at the University of North Texas. This year’s guest speaker will be former Air Force pilot, Scott O’Grady. Scott will share his riveting experience of being shot down over Bosnia where he survived six grueling days against harsh weather before being rescued.

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Dallas Fashion Show

We’re weeks away from this year’s fashion show on Monday, May 6 at Brook Hollow Golf Club, organized by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Dallas. In addition to the runway show, this year’s event will include a silent auction and the Chic Boutique, where hundreds of designer items will be available for purchase.

Learn more about the fashion show at the Dallas Women’s Auxiliary’s website.

There’s more news and upcoming events on the horizon. Keep up to date by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Warm Regards, 

 

Captain Michele and Major Ward Matthews
DFW Metroplex Command Leadership

The Salvation Army Responding At Large Explosion In West, Texas

The Salvation Army quickly mobilized support teams and by midnight had deployed five Emergency Disaster Canteens (mobile kitchens) to the area.

The massive blast, that measured 2.1 on the Richter scale, was felt as far as 80 miles away in Dallas. It is estimated that between 50-75 homes have been damaged or destroyed including a 50 unit apartment complex. More than 170 people have been hospitalized with multiple fatalities at the scene.

The Salvation Army is providing refreshment and emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders at several locations in and around West. Disaster Canteens (mobile kitchens) from Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Corsicana, Waxahachie, and Williamson County are all serving at the scene. 

The temperature has dropped dramatically overnight with heavy rain moving into the area. The Salvation Army has 50 cases of rain suits, jackets and blankets to distribute. This morning The Salvation Army is preparing to serve breakfast to 500 people and as the situation develops will remain ready to serve as long as needed.

The most effective way to support The Salvation Army response in West, Texas, is by making a financial contribution. Please DONATE now.

Salvation Army Recognized for 50 Years of Firefighting in Dallas

Members of Box 4 Fire Buffs standing besides
their disaster vehicle, furnished by The Salvation Army!

Many years ago, The Salvation Army began furnishing a mobile disaster response vehicle to a group of Dallas firefighting enthusiasts who call themselves the “Box 4 Fire Buffs.”

This group responds to all two alarm or greater fires in the Dallas area with the goal of providing relief to the firefighters who are putting their safety on the line.  The Box 4 team provides water or an electrolyte beverage, snacks, and even meals for long-duration incidents. Box 4 also sets up a rest area with portable chairs and misting fans so the firefighters have an opportunity to cool down.

Recently, Box 4 recognized and thanked The Salvation Army for our 50 years of consecutive service.  That’s half a century!

We continue to provide Box 4 with a customized vehicle that is rarely parked. In fact, even on the night of their 50-year anniversary celebration, they were called to offer relief at a two alarm fire.

We thank our local emergency responders for what they do every day and consider it an honor to help them through our friends at Box 4.

2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth Recap

Elizabeth Smart giving her keynote address.

Wow, the 2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth, presented by BNSF, was a huge success!  The Salvation Army raised over $200,000 for our programs and services and experienced a record-setting attendance of almost 600 people.

During the luncheon, Elizabeth Smart shared her touching story of overcoming an unthinkable tragedy and finally experiencing healing.  In 2002, she was kidnapped from her home while her parents slept.  The entire country was searching for this 14 year-old girl, and her hometown of Salt Lake City was covered with fliers in hopes that someone had information that would help bring her home.

 

Thankfully, Elizabeth was rescued by police in 2003 after having been held hostage for nine months.  The nation rejoiced as she returned home to her family.

We were honored Elizabeth was able to join us, and we even discovered an unexpected connection between Elizabeth and The Salvation Army.

Major Carl Earp, commanding officer of the Dallas Adult Rehabilitation Center was actually in Salt Lake City during the search for Elizabeth and picked up one of the many fliers around town.  In a touching moment just before the luncheon began, Major Earp showed Elizabeth the flier he kept for so many years as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

A full house listening to Elizabeth at this year's
Fort Worth Luncheon.

As Elizabeth shared her powerful story, the audience was moved as she described a night during her captivity when she and her captors actually turned to The Salvation Army to find a hot meal.

Her story served as a wonderful reminder that we never know whose lives we’re touching.  Even as we held the luncheon, the homeless and hurting throughout the DFW Metroplex were finding comfort in our centers.

We truly offer our deepest thanks to those who attended and made this event such a success.  You are doing the most good for our community!

Leadership Blog: Fighting Hunger; Upcoming Events!

Dear Friends,

You’ve heeded the call once again!

With your help, The Salvation Army DFW raised $69,416 through our Online Red Kettle.

These funds will help us continue helping people in need through food assistance, financial assistance, homeless prevention, and more.

Thank you for your support!

Fighting Hunger in the Metroplex

Our food pantries across the
DFW Metroplex help provide
food assistance to people in need.

As result of high unemployment and high food prices, food insecurity is a growing issue. According to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" project, food insecurity is lacking access, at times, “to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.”

Feeding America reveals that Dallas and Tarrant Counties have 766,970 people suffering from food insecurity.

The Salvation Army is committed to fighting hunger across the Metroplex. Our food pantries—operated at 10 of our community centers—provide food assistance for thousands of people in need. Last year, we distributed 25,990 bags of food.

Major Mark Craddock (left) of
The Salvation Army - Dallas Temple
with Boy Scout members and representatives of
Tom Thumb, sponsor of the Scouting for Food drive.

We also provide about 2,700 hot daily meals a day, seven days a week, to residents and visitors at our centers in Dallas and Fort Worth. The meals are served at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We're doing our best to fight hunger and we're not doing it alone. We recently partnered with the Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts and Tom Thumb for the 25th annual "Scouting for Food" drive. The food gathered benefited our pantries across the Metroplex.

Thank you to Nest and its customers for
their compassion towards North Texans in need!

We're also collaborated with Nest on McKinney Ave. in Dallas for its annual "Furnish and Feed" drive.  During the month of February, Nest accepted donated non-perishable foods, baby care items, and personal care items benefiting The Salvation Army. 

We're thankful for the Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts, Tom Thumb, and Nest for joining us in fighting hunger.


Here’s a video of Carranza, who received food assistance at our social service center in Dallas:

Learn more about our food assistance program and how you can help at SalvationArmyDFW.org.

Upcoming Events

2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth

This year’s Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth will be on Wednesday, April 3 at the Omni Hotel. Elizabeth Smart will be this year’s guest speaker!

Elizabeth will share how she overcame extreme adversity after being kidnapped in 2002. She survived for nearly a year until police returned her to her family. Her kidnapping became one of most followed child abduction cases of our time.

Elizabeth has become an advocate for recovery programs and national legislation focused on fighting child abductions, including The National AMBER Alert and The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act. She is founder and remains involved with the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.

Tickets for the luncheon are available now! Learn more about the luncheon and how to purchase a ticket here.

Plenty of bargains to be found at the Texas-size
garage sale at our warehouse in Fort Worth!

Texas-Size Garage Sale
 
This year’s Texas-size garage sale, organized by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Tarrant County, is coming soon!

Scout for bargains on furniture, clothing, electronics, antique items, and much more!

You can also enjoy tasty snacks, refreshing drinks, and a great selection of baked goods at our on-site bake sale.

Located at 229 E. Felix Street in Fort Worth, the garage sale will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. Admission is $1 for adults and FREE for children under 14. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. All sales support services of The Salvation Army in Fort Worth!

Photos of last year’s garage sale.

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Dallas Fashion Show
 
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Dallas will hold its annual fashion show on Monday, May 6 at Brook Hollow Country Club!

The event will include a silent auction and the ever-popular "Chic Boutique," where hundreds of designer items will be available for purchase.

Photos of last year's fashion show.

Be on the lookout for more information about the fashion show—and other events—on our Facebook and Twitter pages:

Warm Regards,

Captain Michele and Major Ward Matthews
DFW Metroplex Leadership

2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth--Featuring Guest Speaker Elizabeth Smart--Comes April 3

 
The 2013 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon in Fort Worth is coming up on April 3 at the Omni Hotel. Elizabeth Smart is this year’s guest speaker!

Elizabeth will share how she overcame extreme adversity. Kidnapped in 2002, her ordeal became one of most followed child abduction cases of our time. Elizabeth was found and returned to her family in March 2003.

Today, Elizabeth advocates for national legislation and recovery programs focused on fighting child abductions, including The national AMBER Alert and The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act. She is also founded and is actively involved in the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets for this year's annual DTMG luncheon in Fort Worth .

Leadership Blog: Looking Back and Moving Forward!

Dear Friends,

What a year!

The 2012 Christmas season was full of excitement and compassion as North Texans gave their support to The Salvation Army.

Here’s a brief recap of 2012’s final months:

Amy Grant performing at the
2012 Annual Doing The Most Good
Luncheon in Dallas.

Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon

We enjoyed a wonderful event at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas in mid-November,featuring six-time Grammy Award winner Amy Grant!

Combining her keynote speech with a musical performance, Amy spoke of her Christian background and her thoughts on faith, prayer, and family.

We thank everyone who attended and contributed to this luncheon. We’re especially thankful for the luncheon committee, led by chairman Mark Schortman!

Charlotte Jones Anderson delivering her
keynote address at Super Lunch XX.

Super Lunch XX

In early December, we took part in the Super Lunch XX at the Irving Convention Center. The lunch raised funds for programs and services of The Salvation Army in Irving.

Charlotte Jones Anderson, Executive Vice-President of Brand Management for the Dallas Cowboys and our National Advisory Board Chairperson, was the lunch’s keynote speaker. Charlotte talked about the tremendous partnership between The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys.

Over 59,000 Angels were adopted this Christmas,
thanks to your support!

Angel Tree Program

The 2012 Angel Tree program kicked-off with parades at NorthPark Center in Dallas and Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth, encouraging people to help families by adopting an Angel and donating Christmas gifts.

North Texans heeded the call.

More than 59,000 children, senior citizens, and disabled adults were adopted from Angel Trees in multiple mall and corporate locations. Throughout the season, 6,933 volunteers helped collect and distribute gifts to more than 17,000families throughout the DFW Metroplex.

We could not have achieved this without the dedicated efforts of our volunteers and corporate partners, including jcpenney and NBC 5, official sponsors of The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings putting a donation
into a Red Kettle at Neiman Marcus.

Red Kettle Campaign

People also expressed their support for The Salvation Army by giving to the Red Kettle campaign!

Salvation Army bell ringers were stationed at hundreds of locations, continuing a tradition that has become a staple of the Christmas season.

We’re grateful for your support and trust—donors and volunteers alike—as we continue our quest to do the most good.

Advisory Board member Bernice J. Washington
(middle), standing beside Stephen Hood (left)
and Major Ward Matthews of
The Salvation Army DFW with a $5,000
donation from Texas Health Resource.

So Far in 2013…

Texas Health Resources presented a $5,000 donation in honor of local Salvation Army Advisory Board member Bernice J. Washington!

The Texas Legends featured Salvation Army Night at   Dr Pepper Arena on January 12. The Legends recognized Pat Reimann, Christmas Services Manager, for her efforts throughout the many Christmas seasons she has coordinated the Angel Tree program.

From left: Captain Michele Matthews,
Bruce Graham of jcpenney, Donnie Nelson of
the Texas Legends, Anna Whechel of
Southwest Airlines, Pat Reimann of
The Salvation Army, Ann Ammon of BNSF Railway,
Andy Bope of Coca-Cola, Major Ward Matthews, and
Brenda Gee of Lockheed Martin.

Members of the Texas Legends wore Salvation Army jerseys as they played against the Austin Toros.

There’ll be plenty more events in the coming months. Stay up to date by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter!

  

 

Warm Regards,

 

Captain Michele and Major Ward Matthews

DFW Metroplex Leadership

Furnish & Feed with Nest: Up to 20% off Your Purchase While Doing The Most Good With The Salvation Army!

Furnish your home and feed those in need with Nest and The Salvation Army!

During the month of February, Nest on McKinney Ave. in Dallas will be accepting donations of non-perishable foods, baby care items, and personal care items benefiting The Salvation Army!

For each donated item, Nest will offer one percent off your entire purchase of qualifying merchandise, for a maximum of 20% off! Find savings on furniture, lighting, rugs, and special orders, plus an additional 20% off sale items.

The customer who donates the most items will receive a $500 gift certificate!

We request the following non-perishable food items:

o    Cereal

o    Oatmeal

o    Canned tuna

o    Peanut butter

o    Canned soup

o    Canned vegetables/ Fruit

o    Rice

o    Beans

o    Spaghetti

o    Boxed juice

We also need baby and personal care items including:

o    Baby formula

o    Diapers

o    Toothpaste

o    Toothbrush

o    Deodorant

o    Shampoo

o    Soap

o    Feminine products

o    Laundry detergent

Furnish and Feed when you shop at Nest!



Nest is located at:

4524 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 373-4444

Store Hours

Monday-Saturday
10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Learn more about Nest at NestDallas.com!

Learn more about The Salvation Army and its programs and services at SalvationarmyDFW.org!

Find us on Facebook and Twitter: