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!