The Salvation Army-Sheboygan

on Buying the Grand Hotel: an Editorial

2009-08-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

TO: Editor
Sheboygan Press
632 Center Ave
Sheboygan, WI 53081

RE: Buying the Grand Hotel

Dear Editor,

The Sheboygan Press recently printed a letter from a concerned citizen regarding The Salvation Army’s campaign to expand its present facilities. It is wonderful to hear from the community and The Salvation Army appreciates the community support it has always depended upon.

Buying the Grand Hotel/Howard Johnson property is not a new idea. The Salvation Army has looked at the building every time it has come up for sale, including the most recent real estate listing of over $2 million. We have taken tours, spoken with owners, had discussions with city officials and board members and calculated budgets. We have always concluded that it is not the best plan to acquire that particular piece of property.

There are several reasons for this decision. First, the cost is prohibitive. The Salvation Army conducted a financial feasibility study for a possible $6 million campaign. The consensus was that The Salvation Army could raise $3.5 million. With an upfront purchase cost of over $2 million there would be approximately $1.2 million that could be put into direct renovation.

All programs would need to move to the new building. Renovations would not only need to accommodate the shelter and medical clinic – the main components of our present new building, but also the Saturday feeding program, food pantry, youth program, all offices, chapel and classrooms.

Secondly, The Salvation Army would not be able to afford the annual operating costs associated with a building the size of the Grand Hotel/Howard Johnson property. Comparing existing operating expenses with the calculated future expenses in our present expansion project, The Salvation Army feels it can do what it needs to do while maintaining minimal addition to operating expenses.

A third reason is what to do with The Salvation Army’s existing property? It would need to be sold, but could that be done in the present economy? We believe that it is too risky at this time. We also need to consider the ramifications of removing a very viable property from the Sheboygan tax base.

I want to assure the community that The Salvation Army has many checks and balances that assist us in thinking projects like this through. Much thought and discussion has gone into the present plan to buy the US Bank parking lot, build a new shelter and renovate the existing structure.

The Salvation Army appreciates any ideas that help improve what we do and encourages the citizens of Sheboygan County to call, write or e-mail us so that we may have a meaningful dialog for the community’s future. Please join us in the “Agents of Hope-Building Compassion” Salvation Army’s Capital Campaign. The Salvation Army needs all of Sheboygan County’s support to make this a truly worthwhile project a reality.

Sincerely,

Alan Hellstrom
Major
The Salvation Army - Sheboygan

The Capital Campaign Kick-off

2009-07-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

The vision of the Sheboygan Area Salvation Army is to join with the community, as agents of hope, to enhance comprehensive, Christ-centered services that promote self-sufficiency.

News Release - Announcing the Capital Campaign Community Kick-Off

2009-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE
710 Pennsylvania Ave.
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920.458.3723
http://www.sasheboygan.org/

THE SALVATION ARMY:

Sheboygan, Wis., - The summer heated-up with the public phase of The Salvation Army’s Capital Campaign. The fundraiser was kicked off with a grill-out to raise awareness for the renovation and expansion of the building at 710 Pennsylvania Avenue. Major donors, corporations and area businesses were invited to the presentation, lunch and tour.

Sheboygan business leaders Richard Bemis, Barbara Knauf, and Janice Homiston are leaders of the Capital Campaign, “Agents of Hope…Building Compassion.”

Richard Bemis said that the expansion of the facility underscores the continued and growing commitment of The Salvation Army to meet the growing needs of the Sheboygan community.

The $3.5 million project will include relocating and expanding of the food pantry, the free health clinic and adding on to the overcrowded homeless shelter. The expansion will cover 16,500 square feet on the east side of the present building.

Major Kim Hellstrom, Co-Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army in Sheboygan, stressed the urgency of the construction project due to dramatic increases in demands for basic human services within the region.

The Army reported over $950,000 in gifts and commitments to date. Today’s announcement marks the beginning of the community phase of this campaign. It will give the people of Sheboygan and the surrounding region an opportunity to support this wonderful community asset, said Major Hellstrom. She expressed her appreciation for the early leadership commitments from corporations and many individual area philanthropists.

“There are so many people hurting and in need and not a lot of kindness in this world but The Salvation Army is one of those agencies that has compassion. We need this new facility to reach out to more people,” said Major Hellstrom.

The Salvation Army will continue their capital campaign until the $3.5 goal is reached. More information about The Salvation Army can be found at http://www.sasheboygan.org/, and contributions can be mailed to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1207, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53082-1207.

I Walk for Hunger

2009-06-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

June 20th is our First Annual

I Walk for Hunger

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE!

The Good Stock planners have allowed us to set up the walk at St. Paul Lutheran just before their Good Stock event.

9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. is the 3 mile walk around and through Sheboygan Falls.

$10 a person to walk, $30 for a family of 4, free if you collect $100 in sponsors.

This is a fantastic opportunity to help out a great cause!

Below are the registration and sponsor forms. See you there!

and/or

Sponsor us: Your church or church group could sponsor our walk for $50. Your logo with your business, organization, or church name will go on the back of the T-shirt and posted on our website. Questions? Drop us an E-mail.

Thanks for all your support!

Letter to the Editor

2009-05-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

If you’re into gardening this can be the most exciting time of the year, plotting out your garden, searching for seed and flowers and just the right pot for your porch.

As you’re sowing your garden, why not think about planting an extra row or two for the people in your community who are short on cash and need to visit the food pantries.

Local food pantries in the area welcome fresh vegetables and fruits and the people who receive the produce appreciate it even more.

Let’s kick off the gardening season this year by planting extra for your fellow community members who need a helping hand.

THE SALVATION ARMY CALLS ON FACEBOOK FRIENDS FOR VOTES: Vote The Salvation Army

2009-05-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Target Selects The Salvation Army As One of Ten Charities to Receive a Portion of $3 Million.

Alexandria, VA (May 11, 2009) – As part of the first day of National Salvation Army Week, The Salvation Army announced its participation in Bullseye Gives (www.Facebook.com/Target), the first-ever Target Facebook giving campaign. From May 10 through May 25, The Salvation Army’s Facebook friends, fans, constituents, donors and supporters can vote for the organization to win a portion of a $3 million charitable donation. The more votes, the larger the donation.

“The Salvation Army is excited and grateful to be part of Target’s groundbreaking fundraising idea through Facebook,” said Major George Hood, national community relations secretary for The Salvation Army. “It gives us another great way to engage our donors, friends and partners in a meaningful way during National Salvation Army Week 2009 for the betterment of those we serve.”

Much of The Salvation Army and Target’s nearly four-year partnership focuses on education for those in need, particularly at-risk youth. In November of 2008, Target donated $1 million to The Salvation Army to build or revamp a library, media center or other educational Salvation Army facility in one of each of the forty geographic Army Divisions in the United States. This gift could not have come at a better time. The centers are currently under construction and are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Many of the centers will provide updated educational outlets and after-school care for kids in the community as well as job training, resume assistance and other much-needed educational resources for adults impacted by the current economic circumstances. Depending on the amount allotted to the Army, the funds raised through Bullseye Gives will go to either further enhance current library projects from the initial grant or to build additional centers in new locations across the United States.

Based on the percentage of votes received by each charity, that percentage will determine a charities’ portion of the $3 million donation. All votes and dollars allocated will be updated in real time on the Target Facebook page throughout the course of the contest. Site visitors can vote once per day, every day, throughout the entirety of the contest. The final donation allocations per charity will be announced on May 26.

“At Target, our reputation is built on our legacy of service, and Bullseye Gives is an incredible opportunity for us to continue to engage the public in our giving,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “This is a unique way to help raise awareness of the important work these deserving charities do and increase local volunteerism nationwide.”

The selected charities fall within the Target’s core areas of giving, as well as causes that are of specific interest to its guests. The other nine charities participating include the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Feeding America, HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute, Kids In Need, Parent Teacher Association, National Park Foundation, Operation Gratitude, Red Cross, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.

ANNOUNCEMENT: More Money to the Needy in Wisconsin

2009-05-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has provided an additional $100 million to the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP). This funding is above and beyond the funds already awarded under Phase 27 (FY 2009) and is intended to address the great increases in unemployment and community needs that we are seeing in our communities.

The Wisconsin EFSP State Set-Aside (SSA) Committee will receive $848,991 of that $100 million to supplement and extend emergency food and shelter programs. The county will receive $34,180. The local FEMA Board will receive this one-time ARRA award. The money given will be based on the county’s unemployment and poverty rates.

On May 28th , 10 a.m. at the Park Plaza Community Room, 909 Ontario, Sheboygan, the local FEMA Board will meet to discuss the disbursement to Sheboygan County social service agencies. The meeting is open to the public. Not for profit agencies interested in providing assistance to people in need are encouraged to attend the FEMA meeting.

I WALK FOR HUNGER – JUNE 20th

2009-05-11T06:13:00.000-07:00

Sheboygan, Wis., - The Salvation Army of Sheboygan is holding its first annual I Walk for Hunger event June 20th.

This 3 mile walk goes in and through Sheboygan Falls including an alternate route through the scenic Falls River Trail. The Volkswagon Club will be parked along Main Street to pass out water and assist in the crossings. The newly opened Satellite Coffee Shop along with Lakeside Pepsi, Rick’s Flower Shop, Southside Alliance Church, the Pentecostals of Sheboygan County, and Bella’s Custom Design have all come together to help sponsor this big event.

The walk begins and ends at St. Paul Lutheran Church of 730 Cty Rd PPP in Sheboygan Falls and the cost is $10 an individual to walk or $30 for a family of four. Participants will receive an I Walk for Hunger t-shirt and an incentive gift for collecting sponsors of $100 or more.

“This is an opportunity for the Sheboygan community to come together to show they care. Walk as a family, with friends, or represent your church, organization, or company,” said Development Director Heidi Cain.

Directly after the I Walk for Hunger event at 11 a.m. is the Good Stock Festival which will be on the grounds of St. Paul Lutheran. Admission is $5 a person. With 12 Christian rock bands, different vendors from all over the county, the festival is predicted to be the biggest county event of this type to date. The festival will go as late as 10 p.m.

To sign-up or be one of the sponsors for the I Walk for Hunger event, go to http://iwalkforhunger.googlepages.com/iwalkforhunger

Contributions to The Salvation Army’s I Walk for Hunger can be made on-line at www.sasheboygan.org, or mailed to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1207, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53082-1207.

I Walk for Hunger

2009-04-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

June 20th is our First Annual I Walk for Hunger.

9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. is the 3 mile walk around and through Sheboygan Falls. At 11 the Good Stock Festival will begin with food, fun, and great bands!

$10 a person to walk, $30 for a family of 4, free if you collect $100 in sponsors.

A fantastic opportunity to help out a great cause!

and/or

Sponsor us: Your business, organization, or church could sponsor our walk for $50. Your logo with your church name would go on the back of the T-shirt and posted on our website. E-mail: heidi_cain@usc.salvationarmy.org for details.

Thanks for all your support!

The Salvation Army Takes Another Step to Help the Homeless

2009-04-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sheboygan, Wis.—For the second year in a row the state has awarded a TBRA (Tenent Based Rental Assistance) grant of $100,000 to the Sheboygan Salvation Army. This money will be used specifically to fund the Transitional Living Program.

Started in June of last year, the program is based on a housing first model. Individuals who are chronically homeless, reside in Sheboygan County, and may have addiction and/or a mental health issue may qualify for the Transitional Living Program.

The Salvation Army’s shelter, consistently on overflow for the past 2 years has seen a great need in Sheboygan County for just such a program.

“We would see these folks 3, 4 or 5 times a year and they just couldn’t seem to keep any permanent housing,” said Social Service Director Joe Rupnik.

Statistics show that chronic homeless people account for 10% of the homeless population but use 80% of the resources. The aim of the program is to break the cycle of chronic homelessness among individuals who suffer from mental health or addiction issues.

Transitional Living clients work intensively with their Salvation Army case worker to help keep them focused on their short and long-term goals. “We [the case managers] work with the client to be proactive and try to solve issues before they become big problems,” Rupnik said.

“The main goal is to have the client establish independence which leads to ending the homeless trend and a better quality of life,” said Salvation Army’s Housing Counselor Char Neitzel-Goostree.

Home Builders Expo Coming Soon!

2009-03-17T13:24:00.001-07:00

PLYMOUTH, WI: March 2009 – The Sheboygan County Home Builders Expo 2009 is jam packed with new and exciting ideas for the home building or remodeling projects. April 3rd – 5th is the weekend to plan your construction projects, under one roof, at the Blue Line Ice Center in Sheboygan. There will be over 100 exhibitors if you are looking for just the right professional.

“We are excited this year to announce the addition of seminars & workshops free to Expo attendees. With twelve different seminars & workshops on the schedule we have something for everyone” says Leila Unrein, representing Kiel Building Supplies and Home Expo Chairperson. Sponsored by BP Roofing, the weekend highlights include a Kid’s Home Depot Workshop on Friday evening and an interesting seminar lineup on Saturday & Sunday that covers everything from energy efficient home design to cost saving remodeling ideas to safety in the home. A complete seminar schedule can be seen at www.schba.org

New this year at the Home Builders Expo is “Loads of Fun Excavation Event.” Association Member Excavators will be giving rides to kids ages 4- 12 on their excavation equipment. Kids will get to use, with a licensed operator the equipment used during home construction. This memory making event is held on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. Cost is $5 per child (with Adult purchase of Home Expo Admission). For more information contact the SCHBA office or visit www.schba.org

“We have over 155 booths, and we believe the opportunity to meet with a contractor face to face is much more important than a phone call or a visit to a web site. Most exhibitors have their product available or display photos of actual jobs showing the craft they provide as in the case of a home builder” commented Marsha Binder the Executive Director for the Association.

Back again for it’s fifth appearance to the Home Builders Expo this year is The Salvation Army's “House of Food.” Help build a hunger free community by bringing your food items ahead of time to one of our member drop locations or when visiting the show to help construct the “House” built totally of donated food items. The organizers hope to have a completed “House” at the end of the Expo and a full pantry for The Salvation Army. Drop locations can be found at www.schba.org

Almost 3,000 people visited the show last year and with new exhibits an even larger crowd is expected this year. If you need to replace a furnace, finance an addition, install a hot tub, add a security system or upgrade the bathroom in your existing home, there will be numerous exhibitors to answer any questions you might have. Even if you are only thinking of cosmetic changes such as new draperies or furniture and carpeting, you can find samples at this show.

Pick up your free directory of building contractors and suppliers at the Sheboygan County Home Builders Booth to keep on hand for projects at any time of the year. All of this can be done April 3rd – 5th, at the Blue Line Ice Center at 1202 Wildwood Avenue in Sheboygan. Show hours are 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5.00 for adults with children 12 and under are free, accompanied by an adult. Bring three non-perishable food items and receive $1 off of your admission. Food and refreshments will be available all weekend sponsored by the Blue Line Ice Hockey Association.

The Sheboygan County Home Builders Association has 180 members living and working in the Sheboygan County Area. They are a professional, trade organization working to establish high standards and service within the building industry. As a member of the Wisconsin Builders Association, SCHBA promotes the American dream of home ownership by working for quality, safe and affordable housing in Wisconsin. For more information about the association or details on the Home Builders Expo, visit the web site at www.schba.org or call 920-892-6280.

A Night Without

2009-03-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

SHEBOYGANITES RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS VOLUNTEER EFFORTS AT THE SALVATION ARMY

2009-02-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

Sheboygan, Wis., - “When we all work together to fight poverty, we are truly a force to be reckoned with.” Those were the words spoken by Major Alan Hellstrom at The Salvation Army’s 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Event held on Tuesday, February 24th.

Outstanding volunteers and bell ringers were honored for their contributions of time. The top five individual bell ringers, including the number of hours they rang, are: Jim Maratik – 28 hours, Ron Rauwerdink – 30 hours, Margie Shedore – 32 hours, Ray Dax – 42 hours and Harold Phillips – 52 hours.

The top five groups that rang the bell, including their hours, were: First Congregational UCC – 38 hours, Kohler Middle School – 52 hours, St. Dominic’s – 82 hours, South High Honor Society – 84 hours and holding the new record is St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – 100 hours. Calculations included the Christmas in July campaign as well as our seasonal bell ringing during November and December 2008.

Annual spotlight awards were given for extraordinary contributions throughout the year: Altrusa Service Group for managing the evening food pantry one Wednesday a month, Steve D’Amico for delivery driving, Betty Rather for 7 years of weekly grocery shopping for the homeless shelter, Sam Salm for his many hours of service to our family store, and Dan Pastoor for transporting youth to the after school programs.

“Volunteers are our life line here at The Salvation Army,” says Mary Piehl, volunteer coordinator. “We wouldn’t be able to provide the services we do without the help of so many loyal volunteers.”

For information on how you can volunteer with The Salvation Army, please contact Mary Piehl at (920) 458-3723 ext. 33 or by email at mary_piehl@usc.salvationarmy.org.

The Penny War

2009-02-17T06:15:00.000-08:00

Kohler Elementary School was presented with a traveling trophy and ice cream party last week as part of a thank you from The Salvation Army and the Plymouth and Sheboygan United Way. The Penny War took in a total of $1,911 and Kohler Elementary came in at $848.19. THANK YOU!!

Wisconsin State FEMA allocations increase 53% for Sheboygan County

2009-02-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

Sheboygan, Wis., - The FEMA Board will meet February 26th at 10 a.m. at the Park Plaza Apartments Community Room, 909 Ontario Avenue in Sheboygan. They will determine which Sheboygan County non-profit social service agencies will receive portions of the money allocated by the FEMA Federal Agency. The public is invited to attend.

This year, the board which consists of representatives from 10 to 15 various Sheboygan social service agencies along with community members, will have to decide how much and who gets what of the $47,370. This was a 53% increase from last year’s allocation of $31,000. Wisconsin State Set-Aside Committee Chair Susan Panek wrote that poverty rates and unemployment played a big part in the increase of funding in Sheboygan County. The allocation is considered Phase 27 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds.

Social service agencies that are not for profit and that serve Sheboygan County residents relating to food and shelter are invited to apply for funding.

Agencies wishing to apply for portions of the funding must contact the Secretary of the local FEMA Board Char Neitzel-Goostree at The Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania, 920.458.3723 X13. Applications must be received by February 25th.

Twins ask Party Goers to Bring Food Instead of Presents

2009-01-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

Ava and Emma Cinealis, 7 years old, requested their party guests bring food for the hungry in lieu of presents for their birthday.

"Because," said Ava, "it doesn't seem fair to the poor when they don't have food but we always have food to eat."

Both Ava and Emma go to the Sheboygan Pigeon River school and had their party at the YMCA. 16 people came and brought non perishable food.

"I did bring the idea to do this to the girls and both of them agreed it was a great idea. I expected there to be a bit of grumbling but they were excited by this," said the girl's mom, Tracy Cinealis.

When asked if they missed their presents they both agreed they did not.

CAPTAIN VISITS AREA SCHOOLS – SALUTING STUDENT’S GIVING SPIRIT

2009-01-21T13:03:00.001-08:00

Sheboygan, WI - Captain Food Fight was seen throughout Sheboygan, Kohler and Plymouth this week shaking hands and saluting the elementary students. The students are collecting pennies to donate to The Salvation Army and the Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way.

“We encourage the students to save pennies, but if they put silver coins in another class’s penny jar, that counts against. It’s called sabotage and even the kindergarten kids know what that means,” said Kohler Elementary School Principal Susan Jaberg. “They all know the purpose of the penny war. It’s nice to win but more important to help others.”

The school that raises the most money will receive an ice cream party and a traveling trophy.

“By collecting pennies these students and teachers are showing us how much they care about other people. We hope this penny war can be something annual,” said Development Director Heidi Cain. “We want all the participants to know how grateful we are for their support.”

The penny war will go through Friday, January 23rd and money can be dropped off any time after that to the Taylor Drive or Sheboygan Falls M & I Bank locations.

The pennies will help support programs that the United Way funds such as family counseling, Meals on Wheels, and budget & credit counseling through the Family Service Association family. The Salvation Army social services include a homeless shelter, free health clinic, housing and utility assistance, a day care program, a food pantry, and many other community programs.

“Even the smallest gift can make a difference,” said Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way Marketing Coordinator Nancy Jusky. “Our lofty goal is to collect one million pennies which equals $10,000.”

Photo Above: Kohler Elementary School Principal Susan Jaberg took time to pose with the Captain.

Free Asthma Classes Offered

2009-01-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

Free Asthma Classes to Begin January 8th

Sheboygan, Wis., - The Salvation Army Red Shield Free Clinic is sponsoring free asthma classes to the public. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been managing your asthma for awhile, this is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and to network and share experiences with people in your community who have asthma.

This is the second class in a series by Nationally Certified Asthma Educator Jan Wierschke, RN. It focuses on winter and seasonal asthma triggers and how to manage your health if you get the flu or a cold.

Wierschke holds a Masters of Science in Nursing and is the Director of Health Management at Sheboygan’s Prairie States Enterprises. She is waiving her teaching fee and offering the classes free to the public. “There are different ways to give to your community and this is my way of giving back.”

“Asthma, although a chronic disease, is treatable and manageable,” says Wierschke. “The key is educating yourself on what you can do to manage your asthma.”

According to the American Lung Association more than 22 million people in America have asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease where an attack results in the inflammation of airways and constriction inside the lung tissue making the person who is having an asthma attack wheeze, cough, and suffer shortness of breath.

The first class starts Thursday, January 8th from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at The Salvation Army building in the lower level, 710 Pennsylvania, Sheboygan. For further information visit The Salvation Army’s online Website www.sasheboygan.com or call 458.3723, Ext. 32.

Christmas: a Big Success

2008-12-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

In spite of all the snow that fell last week Tuesday, families in need came to the Rockline warehouse to pick up presents for their children this Christmas. The Salvation Army would like to thank all the kind people who volunteered, the Rockline staff, the people who held toy drives, food drives, hat, mitten and coat drives and all the donors. We could not exist without the strong support from the Sheboygan community.

IAC of Sheboygan collects toys for children in need

2008-12-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

1903, Chicago, The Salvation Army Distributes Turkeys

2008-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

SHEBOYGANITES PULL TOGETHER TO HELP THEIR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY

2008-12-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

For ten years now Howard and Helen Veldhorst have been ringing the bells for The Salvation Army kettle campaign. Howard, retired from Volrath, and Helen, a retired school teacher and homemaker, say they ring because, “The Salvation Army is a good organization. They come into a situation and they stay until the job gets done.” With the wind howling, standing in wet snow, the Veldhorst’s are two volunteers making a difference in their community.

Part of the holiday tradition, the red kettles have been used for over 100 years and the kettle donations carry The Sheboygan Salvation Army through to the next year. The Salvation Army must make their goal because they receive the majority of their funding from the local Sheboygan community. To date the Salvation’s kettles took in $41,400, approximately 21% of their 2008 goal of $200,000.

The much needed food and toy donations continue but low cash donations is a growing concern to The Salvation Army staff.

“We are confident that the Sheboygan community will come through for us. We are paying attention to the lack of funds because we are half way through our Christmas Campaign and we are much lower than other years,” said Salvation Army’s Executive Director Major Alan Hellstrom.

Volunteer Coordinator Mary Piehl said that, “The dilemma here is that we are now one half way to being done with the Christmas Campaign, we have $9,000 less than last year.”

The red kettles have yielded 21% of The Salvation Army’s goal with cash donations at an all time low of 15% for this time of year.

Campaigns 2008

Christmas Mail Appeals
Goal - $95,000
Received - $16,559
Percentage to Goal - 17%

Christmas Red Kettles
Goal - $200,000
Received -$57,339
Percentage to Goal - 29%

Christmas White Mail
Goal - $188,000
Received - $9,644
Percentage to Goal - 5%

“It’s not all bad. We have a lot of food and toy donations coming in which is such a good thing. We just need to boost up our monetary donations. With more people coming to us for services, The programs we have, the homeless shelter, the free clinic, and the Housing programs to name a few are vital to stay funded and running efficiently,” said Development Director Heidi Cain. “We have a small skilled staff and a big volunteer roster and we run a tight budget.”

“I won’t say I’m not worried,” said Cain. “But we have to remain optimistic. Families and individuals are depending on us for services. Bell ringing is vital because it generates the money we need.”

Cain said that The Salvation Army is always grateful to the volunteer bell ringers who endure the cold, the private donors, and all the kind people and organizations who are holding food, toy, hat and mitten drives.

Note: Bell ringing will go through December 27th. There is no bell ringing on Sundays, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day.

Contact information:

Volunteers can sign-up for all the Christmas Programs on-line or they can call The Salvation Army office at 920-458-3723.

Donations can be made on-line at http://www.sasheboygan.org/ or mailed to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 1207, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53082-1207

The Salvation Army - Sheboygan’s phone number is: 920.458.3723

A Couple that knows giving....

2008-12-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

Howard and Helen Veldhorst from Oostburg have rung the bells for The Salvation Army for 10 years. This day, winds were a biting 5 degrees and sunny, they took on a 4 hour shift. Sometimes together and then giving each other a break, they ring the bells to bring in vital funds needed to support programs for their Sheboygan less fortunate neighbors.

NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER: ROCKLINE INDUSTRIES COMES THROUGH WITH CHRISTMAS CASTLE SITE FOR THE SALVATION ARMY IN SHEBOYGAN

2008-11-18T13:01:00.000-08:00

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sheboygan, WI Nov. 13, 2008—A line formed around the block on Pennsylvania Avenue while families began signing up for this year’s Christmas Toys for Tots giveaway at The Salvation Army building yesterday and today.

Rockline Industry officials have offered a site to store the donations through December and to hold the distribution day, December 23rd, for the Toys for Tots giveaway event. They met with The Salvation Army management staff Thursday morning to view the area. Key volunteer Jim Quicker, retired teacher, in charge of the enormous project for more than 5 years, agreed that the site, “Fit’s the bill.”

Rockline associates will be donating their time to this effort as well.

Rockline Industries is the largest producer of coffee filters and baby wipes in North America and is a leading manufacturer of baking cups, moist towelettes, and household cleaning wipes. The Sheboygan facility is continuing growth, adding a new line in December, which will result in more jobs in Sheboygan.

Rockline Industries at 813 South Commerce has ample parking and people shouldn’t have trouble finding the building or places to park.

This year The Salvation Army is expecting more than 600 families and enough toys and gifts for 1,500 children.

Volunteer Coordinator Mary Piehl said that logistics in this kind of program are vital, with more than 30 volunteers every 3 hours, and 100’s of people gathering in one space for any given time during the day, we need to think about parking, bathrooms, and the flow of traffic. The building should be close to a bus line, and easy to find if possible.
This is the largest charitable Christmas project in Sheboygan County with The Salvation Army coordinating with numerous service organizations to collect toys and clothing.

After the intake procedure to screen applicant’s eligible families at that time may pick out coats, hats and mittens and then receive an appointment time to pick up their toys and gifts for their families. Major collectors of the new or like new coats are the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home and The Kohler Company.

2008-11-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

The Sheboygan Radio Group DJs rang the bells this morning at the Wal-mart South and the Piggly Wiggly South in Sheboygan.

The tallies are in:

Wal-mart South the Food door brought in $26.67

Wal-mart South the Store door brought in $60.17

Piggly Wiggly South brought in $67.58

Coats for Kids and Christmas Toys for Tots Sign-up

2008-11-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday and today, people lined up around the block to sign-up for The Salvation Army's Christmas Toys for Tots Program. Eligible applicants received coats, hats and mittens for their families. November 21st from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the final day to sign-up for the program. Go to www.sasheboygan.org for more details.

Breakfast at Sally's

2008-11-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

Richard LeMieux had it all until the trappings of success were stripped away and he was left homeless. Breakfast at Sally’s, written by Richard on a discarded typewriter while he was living in his minivan, reveals who the homeless really are, what redemption really means, and how The Salvation Army transforms lives.

Sample Chapter [below] from Breakfast at Sally's

I Chapter 28

BANK OF AMERICA

A fine drizzle was falling as I pulled out of the Episcopal Church
parking lot where I’d spent the night. I turned the van onto the
sweeping exit lane that merged onto Wheaton Way, one of the main fourlane
thoroughfares through town. It was lined with pawnshops, quick
money branches and fast food stops—shrines of Americana. I wouldn’t be
welcome at any of these establishments this wet and cold morning—not
with fifty cents in my pocket. I had overslept and missed the eight o’clock
breakfast call at Sally’s.
With no specific destination in mind, I was just moving on, and that’s
the way the road turned. As I passed Money Tree, I saw the unmistakable
figure of one of my friends from Sally’s. He was walking as quickly as he
could along the sidewalk.
Randy’s black nylon raincoat and black hair were soaking wet as he
dragged his club foot and swung his deformed left hand and arm to help
propel himself forward through the rain. He was carrying his small, black
gym bag in his right hand.
I hoped Randy had not seen me as I passed. I wasn’t in much of a
mood for his company this morning. I had given him dozens of rides
down this road after many breakfasts at Sally’s. I knew what he wanted to
do and where he wanted to go, because with some frequency Randy would
carefully observe my actions, and when it appeared I was near my last sip
of coffee, he would struggle to get nearer to me, and with a sad look on his
face he would ask, “Richard, can I talk to you?” I would always say, “Sure.”
Then he would lean even closer and ask, “Could you give me a ride to the
Tire Center?”
It was hard—well, impossible, really—to say “no” to Randy, because
when I said “yes,” he would break into a great toothy smile. And I knew
276 Richard LeMieux
how much a ride—and that ride in particular—meant to Randy. It was
nearly two miles, mostly uphill, across the usually windy Warren Avenue
Bridge. It would be a workout for an able-bodied person to make that trek,
and for Randy, it was doubly so.
I knew that, as soon as he got in the van, Randy would toss his gym
bag on the running board by his feet, pet Willow on the head, and then
lean toward me and ask, ever-so politely, if it was okay if he changed the
radio station. I would always nod a hesitant “yes” as he took his good
hand and punched the buttons to his favorite country-western station.
And, at the first few chords of that distinctive whine and twang, he would
begin tapping his deformed hand against his knee, keeping the rhythm
and wearing a big grin.
I don’t cotton to country. Fact is, from the days of Ferlin Husky and
Patsy Cline to today, I could count on one hand the country warbles I’ve
enjoyed, and most of those came from the lungs of Dolly Parton. I was
sure the world had more than enough songs about Ford pick-up trucks,
coon hounds, whisky-drinkin’, and sad tales of love lost in Laredo. I was
more of a Rolling Stones man.
I would steel myself as Randy reached over to turn up the volume
on a song that was playing, like “High in a tree on the top of the hill …”
Then Randy would say, “That’s Randy Travis! He stole my name.” And
he would smile at me.
I knew that as soon as we pulled into the Tire Center parking lot,
Randy would peer out the window, looking for his friends working there.
Men in matching blue pants and short-sleeved white shirts, with their
first names embroidered on an egg-shaped emblem sewn over their hearts,
would welcome Randy with a wave or the nod of a head. “He’s got my
name on his shirt,” Randy once proudly pointed out to me, as a man with
“Randy” on his shirt pushed a bald tire out of the garage and around to the
“dead pile” at the side of the building.
Gene, Bob, Roy, and Randy would let Randy hang out awhile each
morning while they used their pressure driven drills to remove lug nuts
and change tires, all to the blaring sounds of country music. “I wish I could
work there, but I can’t,” Randy told me one morning as we pulled onto the
Tire Center lot. “I can’t,” he repeated, pointing to his bad hand. But the
men also let Randy watch a little television and drink the complimentary
coffee in the waiting room, and they joked with him if they weren’t too
busy balancing tires or aligning front ends. After an hour or so, Randy
would sense that the men wanted him to leave, and he would walk up
Breakfast at Sally’s 277
the street to K-Mart. He would hang out at the back of the store for a
while and play the free demonstration computer games until one of the
“Associates” started giving him that “you-just-can’t-be-here” look. And
after Randy had worn out his welcome there, he would walk back down
the hill, dragging his foot, and try to get back to Sally’s in time for lunch.
Randy would spend the afternoon walking around town, searching for
“snipes” in ashtrays and coins on the ground.
I remembered C pointing out one day at breakfast that some might call
Randy a little “slow” while others might say he was a bit “off.” “Someone
told me that someone told them that Randy ran away a couple of times and
lived in the woods,” C reported. “But he couldn’t make it on his own, and
he moved back in with his mom. But that’s what someone told someone,
who told someone, and well, now I’m telling someone something I really
don’t know about someone else.”
I found that while Randy may not know who Dick Cheney or Alan
Greenspan were, he sure knew Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks, and the
words to all their country songs.
Randy seemed to be ahead of his daily schedule this morning in
the rain. It was just nine-thirty and he’d already left the Tire Center. I
wondered if the men had kicked him out. The light at the corner by the
Mexican restaurant was changing as I peeked in my rearview mirror to see
if he had spotted me. And, well, yes he had. He was waving his bad hand
and calling out frantically, “Hey Richard! Richard! Wait! Wait!”
Randy reached the side of the van just as the signal was changing to
green and he pressed his wet and sad face to the window. “Richard? Can
I get a ride?”
“Hop in,” I replied, motioning him in. Randy used his good hand to
open the door, tossed his gym bag on the floor and then maneuvered his
clubfoot into the van. “BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!” A woman leaned on
her horn behind me, just as Randy got the rest of his body into the van and
closed the door. I hit the gas.
“You’re soaking wet, Randy.”
“You missed breakfast this morning,” Randy replied. “I looked for
you.”
“Yeah. I overslept,” I explained.
“I was hopin’ you’d be there.” he said. “Would it be okay if I changed
the radio?”
“Sure. It’s okay,” I said. He reached over and pressed the buttons,
searching for his favorite station. “Where can I drop you off?” I asked as I
278 Richard LeMieux
braced for the first notes of country twang.
Instead, there was an advertisement on the airwaves. “This is Ray
Vincent of American Equity Mortgage,” the announcer said. “Are you
tired of making interest payments of eight to ten percent …”
“I’m going to the bank,” Randy said, over the radio ad. He smiled and
reached down to pick up his gym bag. He placed the wet bag on his lap to
unzip it. Then Randy reached in and pulled out a check. “It’s my birthday
today, Richard,” he said.
“Well, happy birthday, Randy,” I said.
“Randy at the Tire Center gave me a check for twenty dollars to buy
me a new radio headset at K-Mart!” Randy was literally gushing. “Then I
can listen to country music all day.”
“That’s great, Randy,” I said. “What bank are you going to?”
“Bank of America!” Randy said, showing me his check. He pointed up
the street in the direction of the nearest branch.
The mortgage company ad on the radio came to an end with its little
jingle, “American Equity Mortgage, the future is up to yooooooouuuu!”
As we motored down the boulevard, a country song began: “American
Girls and American Guys, we’ll always stand up and salute.”
“I love this song,” Randy said, leaning forward and turning up the
volume. “This is Toby Keith,” he added, now beginning to rock back
and forth to the beat of the song. The “Old Glory and Uncle Sam” lyrics
were interspersed with Randy’s own special red-white-and-blue patriotic
commentary. Both ceased just as we pulled into the Bank of America
parking lot.
As soon as we came to a stop, Randy opened the door, swung his good
foot out and dragged his bad foot behind him as he got out of the van.
“Would you come in with me, Richard?” he asked. “In case I have
trouble?”
“You won’t have any trouble, Randy,” I assured him. “The check is
drawn on this bank, so they’ll cash it for sure.” I paused, reading the
uncertainty all over his face. “But, if you want me too, I will.”
“Please,” Randy said.
“Okay.” I set the parking brake and got out of the van. I hoped they
might have some complimentary coffee inside.
We were in luck. Randy got in a short line and I spotted a coffee
thermos and cups, and even a plate of cookies, on a small table. Randy got
in the teller line, while I headed for a cup of coffee and a cookie. Then I
walked over to join him. He was wearing a big grin of anticipation. “I used
Breakfast at Sally’s 279
to have a headset, but somebody stole it,” he said, looking at me. “I can’t
wait to get a new one!”
It didn’t take long for Randy to get to the teller. “I’d like to cash this,
please,” he said, passing the check to her over the counter.
The lady accepted the check and then looked at Randy. “Do you have
an account with us, sir?” she asked.
“No,” said Randy.
“We just need to see a picture ID, then,” she said turning the check
over to the endorsement side and preparing her pen to write down his
information.
Randy picked up the gym bag he had dropped on the floor at his feet,
and held it in place with his bad hand while he unzipped it. His face began
to contort into that forlorn look he often wore. He reached into the bag
and pulled out some of its contents, one piece at a time, and placed them on
the counter. First came a small plastic bag, half-filled with the “snipes” he
collected. Then a muffin left over from breakfast at Sally’s. Then a rumpled
newspaper he probably fished out of the trash on the way here. “Here it is,”
he said, breaking into a big smile. He found his bus pass, complete with
picture, and put it on the counter, pushing it toward the teller. “It was at
the bottom of my bag all the time,” he said with a triumphant grin.
The teller looked at Randy, looked at the pass, and then looked back
at Randy. I watched her as she scrutinized Randy’s picture on the bus
pass, comparing it to the real life Randy with the same care she would use
to discern a foreign terrorist. Her name was Mary Lou, according to the
American flag nametag pinned to her blouse.
“This pass expired some time ago,” the teller said. “Do you have
another picture ID? We need two picture IDs to cash a check for a noncustomer.”
Randy turned to me with a sad look in his eyes.
“Geez; it’s his birthday,” I began. “And one of the guys up at the tire
center gave him twenty bucks to buy himself a present. The man who gave
him the check has an account here. It’s a small check. Couldn’t you just
cash it for him?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but our bank rules require two picture IDs to cash a
check,” she said, matter-of-factly. “We cannot cash this check without
proper identification.”
Randy lowered his eyes to the floor.
“How about the Manager?” I asked. “Could she approve it? It’s only
a twenty dollar check.”
280 Richard LeMieux
“You can try,” Mary Lou said, pointing to a lady standing at the
credenza in the center of the bank.
“Come on, Randy,” I said, motioning with my head to follow me as I
turned.
The Manager was holding up a brochure and pointing to its contents
with her red, white and blue pencil as she spoke with a customer. Randy
grabbed his plastic bag of “snipes,” his muffin and the newspaper and put
them back into his gym bag. He limped along behind me. We got in line
to see the Bank Manager, and I tried to help him relax with some small
talk. “Well, Randy, how old are you today?” I asked.
“Twenty-five,” he answered, smiling.
“You were born in Bremerton?” I asked, keeping my eye on the
Manager.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” he said.
“Would you like to move anyplace else?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Randy said, with less certaintly. “I’ve never been
anywhere else.”
The Manager closed the brochure and handed the customer her
business card. I cleared my throat in preparation to pleading Randy’s case
to her. She smiled at me and nodded as a sign to approach.
“Hello. My friend Randy, here, got a twenty dollar check for his
birthday from his friend up the street at the tire center,” I began. “And,
because Randy really doesn’t have any picture ID other than his bus pass,
we’re having trouble cashing the check. The check is from a man who has
an account at your bank,” I added.
“Let me see the check,” the Manager said. The nametag pinned to her
blue blazer lapel read Marilyn. I told Randy to give her the check and he
handed it to her. The Manager looked at the check and asked to see the bus
pass. Randy reached into his pocket and took it out. The Manager took it
from Randy’s good hand, held it up, looked at it and then looked at Randy.
Then she looked at the pass again, before handing it out to Randy. “Did
our teller explain our bank rules about cashing a non-customer check?”
she asked.
“She told us we needed two picture IDs,” I said.
Manager Marilyn nodded. “Then I can’t cash this check. The bus pass
is expired. We really need a driver’s license, a MasterCard with a picture on
it, or a passport.” She handed the check and the bus pass back to Randy.
“Well, I thought because it was his birthday, and, well, it was such a
small check, you might cash it for him,” I said.
Breakfast at Sally’s 281
“It’s nice that it is his birthday, but this is a Bank of America rule,” she
announced.
I realized at that moment that Randy and I were financial lepers. We
were third-class citizens, not to be touched. The bankers—the keepers of
the cash—had created an island where all the lepers with no ID, or a
credit score under 300, must go and live until they die. Off somewhere
in “banking land” rules had been made, then printed and sent out across
the country to protect investors from Randy, and anyone like him, and all
their twenty-dollar checks.
I thought if I could just talk to the rule-makers, I could tell them
about Randy, and plead his case. I could tell them it was his birthday. I
could tell them of his open face, his innocence, his smile. If they could
just see his face, they would surely not need two pieces of picture ID;
they might as well require fingerprints and a DNA sample to engage in
financial transactions.
“Can you give me the phone number of the bank president?” I asked
Manager Marilyn. She seemed quite stunned by my request. I forged on.
“I’m sure if I talked to him, or her, I could get approval to cash this check
for Randy.”
“You want to speak to the President of the bank?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
“I doubt he will talk to you,” she replied, coldly. I began to see the youare-
wasting-my-valuable-time look sweep across her face.
I wished so hard I had the words to change this woman’s mind. I
wondered what it would take to “free her doubtful mind and melt her
cold, cold heart.”
And then the cowboy in me came calling. I climbed on my emotional
horse to ride in the name of the real Red, White and Blue. “You know,
Randy here can’t get a driver’s license,” I began again, “because he can’t
drive. He’s got a deformed hand and a deformed foot. Randy doesn’t
have the money to get a picture MasterCard or Visa, and he can’t afford
a passport. He has never been out of this town. What he does have, is a
small birthday check he wants to get cashed. You know, the last time I was
in New York, I visited the Statue of Liberty, and on the side of that dear
lady it says, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning
to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these,
the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’
That’s what America is all about.”
I could see that I had struck the wrong cord with Manager Marilyn, as
282 Richard LeMieux
her face began to turn a crimson shade which matched the stylish scarf she
wore around her neck to accent her grey blouse and her Bank of America
blue suit. Her eyes widened, and I knew she wanted to have her boots go
“walkin’” all over me. She reached for a brochure on the counter beside her,
circled a portion with her red, white and blue pen and handed it to me.
“If you have any complaints, you can call that 1-800 number,” she said,
turning smartly from the credenza and heading for her glass-enclosed
office. She picked up the phone.
I figured she was calling the cops to take Randy and me to Folsom
Prison.
I had little hope that any other banker would be any better at breaking
the corporate stranglehold of regulations, but, for Randy, I had to make
the effort. “Come on, Randy,” I said. “Let’s try someplace else.” Randy
stuck the check back in his pocket and followed me out the door.
Randy was shattered, and looking sad, sad, sad, as we got into the van.
“How about we go back to the Tire Center and ask Randy to give you
cash?” I asked him
“He didn’t have any cash this morning,” replied Randy, as I started the
engine. “That’s why he gave me the check.”
“Then how about we take the check back to Randy and ask him to
bring you cash tomorrow?” I asked as I backed out of the parking lot.
“Today’s my birthday,” Randy said, simply.
Randy had given me quite rational answers to my two questions. As I
pulled back onto the boulevard and stepped on the gas, I decided I needed
a financial advisor to solve this problem. I headed for C’s Armadillo.
Randy found a smile as another American Equity Mortgage ad
came to an end with its now familiar jingle: “. . . the future belongs to
yooooouuuu!” and another country song began: “Well it’s a long way to
Richmond, rollin’ north on 95 …”
That’s “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt,” Randy said.
Thankfully, it only took a few minutes to get to The Armadillo, and
Tritt was in his last few bars—the redhead having now become a sheriff—
ending with an insightful “Yeah . . . Whoa, Well . . . Woo-Hoo.”
I pulled up to C’s abode on wheels next to Allen’s MiniMart only to
see a note written on an old paper bag tacked to the door. I left the engine
running, so Randy could enjoy his music, and stepped out to read the
message: “Gone on a Mexican Cruise. C.” I chuckled, pretty sure the note
meant C had gone ten rounds with Jose Cuervo and was sleeping it off.
An idea formed in my brain. Maybe Allen would cash the check.
Breakfast at Sally’s 283
Then I thought “Naw; he probably doesn’t even know Randy.” But I was
desperate. I needed to get away from the country music before I got
yearnin’ for a pair of boots, became bow-legged and began starting each
sentence with “Y’all.” Heck, all Allen could do was say “no,” and we had
just been through that at the biggest bank in the world.
I opened the van door and turned off the engine. “Randy, come along
with me,” I said. “Let’s see if we might cash that check in the store.”
Once inside, we found Allen at his usual station on the stool at the
end of the counter. I walked over to the bell by the cash register and hit it
once. Allen hopped off the stool and walked over and stood before us.
“Hello,” I began. “This is Randy and it’s his birthday today. We have
this check he got for a present and he would like to cash it.”
Allen just looked at us.
“Give him the check, Randy,” I said.
Randy reached into his pocket and took out the check and handed it
to Allen.
Allen held it up and looked at it. “It is good?” the Chinese man
asked.
“Yes,” I said, nodding my head.
“You have to buy something,” Allen said.
This sounded hopeful. I turned to Randy and asked, “Randy, what do
you want?”
Randy looked at the displays on the counter. He reached out and
picked up a package of Starbursts and put it down in front of Allen.
“Sixty-nine cents,” Allen said, hitting the button to open the cash
register. He quickly placed the check in the drawer and took out a handful
of cash. “Ten,” he said, laying a ten dollar bill on the counter. “Fifteen,”
he said, laying down a five. “Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and
thirty-one cents,” he said, counting out the rest of Randy’s change. Then
he said, “Happy Birthday,” turned and went back to his stool, sat down and
crossed his arms.
Randy smiled. He began to pick up his change with his good hand.
Then he stopped as something in the glass case beside the cash register
caught his eye. There, in the case, next to several decorative knives with
dragons engraved on the handles, was a headset radio. “That’s what I
want!” Now, Randy was smiling all over.
I leaned forward to look at the headset to see if I could find a price on
the plastic case, but I couldn’t see one.
The ever-vigilant Allen hopped off his stool and walked back to the
284 Richard LeMieux
cash register. He hit a key on the cash machine and the drawer opened. He
took a small key from one of the compartments and stuck it in the lock on
the back of the display case, releasing the door. He opened it and reached
in to pick up the radio in question. “Twelve ninety-nine,” he said, holding
it up to Randy.
“Does it have batteries?” Randy asked.
Allen turned it around and looked at the writing on the package, and
then nodded an affirmative to Randy.
“That’s cheaper than K-Mart, Richard,” Randy said to me. “I’ll take
it!” he said triumphantly to Allen, and he put his money back down on
the counter.
Allen counted out the money from Randy’s nineteen dollars and
thirty-one cents and pushed the remaining sum and the headset radio
across the counter.
“I’ve still got some money left,” Randy said, picking up his change and
putting it in the pocket of his jeans.
Randy tried to open the package right away. He held the case steady
with his deformed hand and attempted to pull the plastic off with his
good hand, but it seemed to be a losing battle. He looked up at me, at last,
and said, “Could you help me, Richard?”
“Sure,” I said, reaching out to take the package from him. I pulled on
one corner of the package, and I pushed on the other, trying to pry the
headset from the case. I turned the case over, looking for a penetrable
seam, muttering, “I don’t know why they make these blasted things so
hard to open.” Then I heard a click from behind the counter. Allen was
standing there with a long knife that resembled the fancy knives inside
the glass case. It was a switchblade and he held it up toward the ceiling,
the metal gleaming in the light. He held out his empty hand without a
word, and I placed the case in it. In seconds, Allen cut the headset free
from its plastic protection, handed it to Randy, and tossed the plastic away.
He folded up the blade of the knife and stuck it in his pocket with the
dexterity of a street gang member.
“Thank you, mister,” Randy said to Allen, and I nodded my thanks as
well. Allen headed back for his stool and we headed for the door.
Outside, Randy put his gym bag down on the ground. He held the
radio headset against his chest with his deformed hand and spread the
adjustable arms wider to where he thought it might fit his head. Then he
turned the channel knob to where he thought his country station might
be and held it to his ear. He fiddled with the knob until his station came
Breakfast at Sally’s 285
through loud and clear and then he slipped the headset over his head.
And he smiled.
I smiled, too.
I let him enjoy the moment. After a bit, I asked in a loud voice, “You
want me to drop you off someplace, Randy?”
He pushed the headset back off his ears until it fell onto his neck. “No,
I think I’ll take a walk,” he replied.
“Okay then,” I said. “Well, I’ll see you later.” I started walking back
to the van.
“Hey, Richard?” he called. I turned. “Thank you,” he said
“You’re welcome,” I replied
As I got in the van, I watched Randy put the headset back over his
ears and pick up his gym bag. He started walking toward the bowling alley
up the street. “I’ll bet he’s going looking for snipes,” I said to myself.
The drizzle had stopped so I started the car and put the windows
down. It was then I heard the singing. It was Randy, walking up the street,
singing at the top of his lungs to a tune on his radio.

Sheboygan Boy Scouts Do It Again!

2008-10-27T08:18:00.001-07:00

The Salvation Army received 150 boxes from the Sheboygan Area Boy Scouts at their annual city-wide food drive.

Below: Brothers Sergi and Pasha pose proudly in front of their collections.

THANK YOU Boy Scouts, Leaders, and Parents!

New Building Needed for Christmas Program

2008-10-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Christmas is just around the corner for The Salvation Army staff and this year the distribution site for the Christmas Program is not available.

The search is on to find a building that will house enough toys and gifts for 600 Sheboygan area families including 1,500 children who participate.

The toy and gift collection runs through the month of December and distribution day is December 23rd.

It takes 5,000-10,000 sq. ft. of open space to set up for the event. The staff needs electricity, bathrooms, and minimal heat. Volunteers set-up for the event and do an excellent job cleaning-up. Also, The Salvation Army carries its own insurance policy for off-site liabilities.

For the past 3 years, the Christmas Distribution site was held at the Piggly Wiggly building at Taylor Heights.

This is the largest charitable Christmas project in Sheboygan County because The Salvation Army coordinates with numerous service organizations to collect toys and clothing, and their staff screens the recipients according to income levels so that the ones who need it the most receive assistance.

Please call 458-3723, Ext. 15 if you have a building The Salvation Army might be able to use for December, 2008.

Jonas Brothers to Play Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Game to Kick Off

2008-10-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Jonas Brothers to Play Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Game to Kick Off
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Nationally Televised Performance to Support Longest-Running Annual Fundraiser

Phoenix, AZ (October 12, 2008) – The red hot Jonas Brothers band will perform live at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game in a nationally televised halftime show that will air on Fox television network on November 27, 2008 at 3:15 pm CST, it was announced today. The performance will officially kick off the 2008 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign, which runs nationally through Christmas Eve, December 24th.

For the past 11 years the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game halftime show has officially launched the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign on a national stage, becoming annual holiday tradition. Since the partnership began in 1997, the annual Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1 billion, which has helped the Army to serve 30 million people each year nationwide. Last year, the campaign raised a record $118 million. Previous halftime performers include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny’s Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

“I was born in Dallas, which makes performing with my brothers at the Cowboys Halftime on Thanksgiving an in credible honor,” said Nick Jonas. Added brother Joe Jonas, “This year, more than ever, The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign will make a huge impact for families at Christmas and throughout the year. It’s very important for us to give back.” Kevin Jonas finished, “We’d like to thank Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, Israel Gaither, and The Salvation Army for inviting us to be part of this awesome Thanksgiving tradition. We’ll remember this for a long time to come.”

The Jonas Brothers – Kevin, Joe and Nick – will perform songs from their platinum third studio album A Little Bit Longer, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in August. Since their recording debut in 2005, Jonas Brothers have released three studio albums and stared in Camp Rock, a 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie. Additionally, Jonas Brothers will be staring in a new Disney Channel Original Series, J.O.N.A.S!, which is expected to debut on Disney Channel in Spring, 2009.

“There are no other artists more in touch with America’s youth than Jonas Brothers,” said Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. “So, this is a great chance for us to get the word out about The Salvation Army’s vital work to a whole new generation of donors.”

The Salvation Army also announced today that Mr. Jones has agreed to serve as the national honorary Christmas chairperson. In this capacity, he will act as an advocate for the campaign at Christmas and also help to get the word out about The Salvation Army’s critical programs year-round. Mr. Jones and his family have been major supporters of The Salvation Army for more than a decade. In 1998, Mr. Jones and his wife, Gene, opened the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Center for Children – a Salvation Army child care center for low-income families in Dallas, TX. In 1999, the family received the Evangeline Booth Award, one of the Army’s highest national service honors. Mr. Jones is now an Emeritus member of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board and his daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson and wife Gene currently serve as active board members.

“In addition to our excitement about Jonas Brothers helping us launch this annual campaign, we’re thrilled that Jerry Jones has agreed to serve as our national honorary Christmas chairperson,” said Lieutenant-Colonel David Jeffrey, National Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army. “Jerry, his family and the entire Dallas Cowboys organization have been great friends of the Army for many years. Their support helps the Army serve, on average, 30 million Americans in 5,000 communities nationwide each year.”

From its original beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2007, the campaign raised more than $118 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to nearly 29 million Americans in need. In addition to physical kettles, donors can also contribute online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or through a virtual red kettle on any number of corporate or individual websites and Facebook pages.

About the Beginning of The Salvation Army

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William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a cofounder of The Salvation Army.

-Taken from the United States Salvation Army site.

Feeding Families

2008-10-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Volunteerism Dramatically Down this Holiday Season

2008-10-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

October 1, 2008

The Salvation Army has a shortfall of volunteers for their Christmas Campaign this year.

Volunteer Coordinator Mary Piehl reports that we are down on volunteers significantly from last year.

One reason may be because the process for signing up has changed. Volunteers can sign up for all the Christmas Programs on-line or they can call The Salvation Army office at 920-458-3723.

Not only can volunteers sign-up for 2 hour shifts to ring the bells, they can also sign-up for the Coats for Kids Program or help with the Distribution Day-the biggest one day volunteering opportunity of the year.

There is 80% of the shifts open in the Coats for Kids Program. Volunteers may work at client intake, coat sorting, and distribution. The coat distribution is coming up fast and takes place November 13th, 14th, and the 21st.

On The Army’s Christmas Castle (Toys for Tots Program) distribution day The Salvation Army needs to fill 120 hours of volunteer time.

The Red Kettle Campaign has 90% of the 2 hours shifts still available. Here individuals and groups can sign up to ring the bells for donations to be placed in the red kettles outside of area businesses.

Development Director Heidi Cain said that, “The Christmas Campaign this year will be better than ever. We have an on-line blog set-up to monitor our kettle counts and special events. If there are some groups out there ringing the bells to compete, trying to get as much money as possible into the kettles, we will be posting that.”

“Viewers are encouraged to make comments on the blog and submit ideas,” said Cain. “We want to hear what the community is saying.”

Coats for Kids, 17% filled
Christmas Castle, 17% filled
Red Kettle Campaign, 10% filled

“Its still early in the Holiday Season so we are optimistic people will begin to sign-up. What makes The Salvation Army in Sheboygan so successful is its volunteers. Without them we would not have the great programs that we do.” Said Piehl.

The Salvation Army in Sheboygan will start ringing the bells for their Christmas Campaign November 7th of this year and go through December 27th. There is no bell ringing on Sundays, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day.

Contact information:

The Salvation Army – Sheboygan Website: www.sasheboygan.org

The Salvation Army - Sheboygan’s phone number is: 920.458.3723

Aurora Health Care Grants Salvation Army Free Clinic $5,000

2008-09-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sheboygan, Wis. – The Salvation Army is excited to share with Aurora Health Care the goodness of giving hope.

The doors at the Salvation Army Red Shield Free Clinic will stay open thanks to a $5,000 grant from Aurora Health Care and ongoing medical care from Aurora physicians, caregivers and other medical personnel.

The grant money will go toward prescription vouchers, supplies, and/or operating expenses for the free clinic.

The clinic serves the medical needs of low income individuals with no insurance. It is the only clinic of its kind in Sheboygan County.

The good work of charity is contagious—specialty Aurora doctors contribute by accepting patients many times pro bono or at substantially reduced fees.

The chart below demonstrates clinic visits are on the rise. The Aurora volunteer medical personnel and Aurora Health Care have risen to the challenge with their generous gifts of time and financial support.

Patient Visits
2005, 916 visits
2006, 998 patient visits
2007, 1164 (21% increase)
2008, 1280 (projected, 10% increase)

The Red Shield Free Clinic, Aurora Health Care and volunteer medical staff successfully collaborate to offer healing and hope for the Sheboygan County community.

Free Asthma Classes to Begin in October

2008-09-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

The Salvation Army Red Shield Free Clinic is sponsoring free asthma classes to the public. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been managing your asthma for awhile, this is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and to network and share experiences with people in your community who have asthma.

Nationally Certified Asthma Educator Jan Wierschke, RN will speak on asthma triggers, avoiding flare-ups, how the environment affects people with asthma, and knowing your asthma medications.

Wierschke holds a Masters of Science in Nursing and is the Director of Health Management at Sheboygan’s Prairie States Enterprises. She is waiving her teaching fee and offering the classes free to the public. “There are different ways to give to your community and this is my way of giving back.”

“Asthma, although a chronic disease, is treatable and manageable,” says Wierschke. “The key is educating yourself on what you can do to manage your asthma.”

According to the American Lung Association more than 22 million people in America have asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease where an attack results in the inflammation of airways and constriction inside the lung tissue making the person who is having an asthma attack wheeze, cough, and suffer shortness of breath.

The first class starts Thursday, October 9 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at The Salvation Army building, 710 Pennsylvania, Sheboygan. For further information visit The Salvation Army’s online Website http://www.sasheboygan.com/ or call 458.3723, Ext. 32.

Book Drive - Thanks Sheboygan Donors!

2008-09-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Sheboygan Border's book customers donated children's books as part of the national Border's month long book drive. The Sheboygan Border store chose to donate the collected children's books to The Salvation Army Day Care Center. The 8 boxes received were needed and appreciated. This was the largest donation to date.

Coming Soon......Sally Salvation

2008-09-08T12:03:00.001-07:00