Captain Timothy Sheehan, Salvation Army Coordinator for the State of Delaware,  discussed their work here and their holistic programs for our health and well being, here and across 130 countries.  He notes that the Salvation Army is an evangelical church program, when the physical is cared for, there’s time to discuss the spiritual.  Their work includes disaster relief, here and across the world, emergency shelter, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, after-school programs including music and art, centers for the elderly and the disabled, job training and placement services and more.  He gave us the history, founded in the 1860s by William and Kathleen Booth in London, in response to the terrible conditions of the poor, how it grew – even providing a safe alternative to poisonous phosphorous match-making to save girls from ‘fossy-jaw’ and  cooking doughnuts in helmets of oil to give soldiers a taste of home during World War 1.   Captain Sheehan spoke of their Restoration program and Pathway to Hope, for women, children and youth seeking to escape Human Trafficking, giving them counseling, shelter,  job and educational opportunities, he discussed the Salvation Army’s work through partnerships with social and government agencies to stop trafficking.

Captain Sheehan is looking for donations and volunteers!  Red Kettle drives cannot cover the cost of senior lunches, music lessons, emergency housing and counseling, they rely on the public’s support, through ‘time, talent and influence.’  Volunteers can help tutor, train, paint or pack lunches, there’s something for anyone wanting to participate.  Finally, he told about their upcoming fundraising dinner October 21st.

To learn more or to donate or volunteer visit SALVATIONARMYDELAWARE.ORG.