RED SHIELD TRIBUNE: APRIL 2022 | VOL 2
JOIN US FOR OUR 2022 KETTLE365 TELETHON
On Thursday, May 19th, The Salvation Army of Memphis & the Mid-South will be hosting our 2nd Annual Kettle365 Telethon, in partnership with WREG News Channel 3 and News Talk 98.9 – The Roar of Memphis.
We're known for our ringing bells and iconic Red Kettles at Christmas time, but the reality is that Need Knows No Season. Our Kettle365 campaign elicits the joy of holiday giving through a monthly gift to provide year-round outreach, holistic counseling and services for those in need.
How can you help? Volunteer to greet other volunteers as they arrive or answer calls from donors and process donations.
BEYOND THE SEASON
On April 17th – 23rd, we are saying Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week to our volunteers! Each of you help further our mission and we are so grateful for you.
It only feels right that we introduce our volunteer highlight section this month. " Beyond the Season " is a quarterly section of the Red Shield Tribune that will highlight a volunteer or group of volunteers whose dedication to the Army inspires us all, even beyond Christmas.
This quarter, we are highlighting Mindy Fischer. Mindy's story is unique and inspiring to all who hear it. Mindy and her family ring in honor of her son Will, who passed away when he was 2 years-old and saved five lives by being an organ donor. What started out as her other son Matthew needing community service hours for an Eagle Scout badge turned into a tradition for the Fischers. Each year, Mindy rings the entire day at Kroger in Germantown on December 20th – the anniversary of Will's passing. Friends and family from all across the county come to support Mindy and ring alongside her or drop a donation in her Kettle. As Mississippi State fans, Mindy even found a way to incorporate her favorite team into Ringing! She has a cowbell decorated specifically for her day of ringing.
Mindy shared her motivation for ringing every year with us, "Let's celebrate Will and his life, and how he was able to help others. And let's take it a step further – and let's help our community and The Salvation Army."
Mindy's full story will be available to hear on our social media during Volunteer Appreciation Week. Make sure to keep an eye out so you don't miss it or any of the other volunteer stories we have that week!
MOBILE CANTEEN UPDATE
What Is A Canteen?
A fully-equipped Disaster Relief Vehicle (also known as a canteen), donated by FedEx and staffed by trained volunteers, is “on-call” when disaster strikes. It is a symbol of hope for so many. Outside of disasters, the Mobile Canteen is out in the community providing assistance to our neighbors. The Salvation Army Mobile Canteen is a feeding program on wheels which feeds people who are hungry and often homeless. Volunteers and staff regularly meet to package good meals for our neighbors in need. All food is provided by us. We meet at the Purdue Center of Hope to assemble meals, then head out in the Canteen to a community in Memphis to spread nourishment for the body and soul, with one of our Officers to provide prayer and spread the love of Jesus.
Recently, the Canteen has been undergoing repairs, so it has been out of commission for some time. We are so excited to announce that it is back and we can return to providing the Canteen Ministry to Memphis! Starting off, it will be out once monthly. As we get back into the routine, we will increase this ministry to weekly outings.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Volunteer Appreciation Week - April 17 – 23
A week dedicated to highlighting and appreciating our volunteers and all that they do for the community and the Memphis Area Command
Mobile Canteen Outing - April 20
We are so excited to get our Mobile Canteen back out in the community! We are in need of volunteers to help us bless communities with a good meal.
National Salvation Army Week - May 9 – 13
This week is set aside to remind or inform the country of the comprehensive nature of the services we provide to help people in need in your community. We will also have volunteer opportunities this week.
Kettle365 Telethon - May 19
The Salvation Army is known for our ringing bells and iconic red kettles at Christmastime, but the reality is, need knows no season — and many of our neighbors are struggling. More information to come on how you can volunteer.
National Donut Day - June 3
National Donut Day commemorates the “donut lassies,” female Salvation Army volunteers who provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending and home-cooked meals, and of course, donuts, for soldiers on the front lines.