RED SHIELD TRIBUNE: MAY 2022 | VOL 3
Camp Hope Is Bringing The Summer Fun
Did you know that the equivalent of one month of a child’s overall learning is lost over the summer break? It takes six weeks of review by teachers in the new school year to get a class back to where it was in May. It only takes as few as two to three hours a week to prevent this learning loss and send students back to school better prepared than ever before.
That is where Camp Hope steps in, designed exclusively for children enrolled in residential programs at the Purdue Center of Hope. Not only will our kids play sports, and create music and art, they will also learn the skills needed to prepare them for their next school year through daily offerings of interactive education and computer literacy.
We asked eight of our children enrolled in residential programs what they were most looking forward to this summer at Camp Hope. Check out their answers!
Camp Hope needs experienced volunteers to help our staff give our children a summer to remember! Camp Hope will run from May 30th until August 4th.
DONUT DAY – JUNE 3RD
In 1938, the first-ever National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago, and the history of The Salvation Army’s Donut Lassies was officially immortalized. The Donut Lassies were sent to France in 1917 where they established field bases near the front lines. These huts served as locations where soldiers could stock up on essential goods and snag a treat or two provided by the lassies. When it became apparent that baking was going to be difficult to continue during war time, two volunteers – Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance – began frying donuts in soldiers’ helmets. Their work brought a light of hope and happiness to the battlefield – a much-needed boost for soldiers who had been there for ages.
The “Donut Lassies” are now often credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when the troops (commonly known as “doughboys”) came back from fighting in Europe. Over a hundred years later, The Salvation Army is still serving on the front lines, now through a wide range of social services for the most vulnerable Americans.
On June 3rd, we will be delivering donuts to organizations around Memphis we have been so blessed to partner with! Be sure to check our social media that day to see who we visit.
MEMPOPS & NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK
You may not know that The Salvation Army's Strawberry Field inspired The Beatles. Strawberry Field and the original Victorian house were gifted to The Salvation Army in 1934. In 1936 it was opened as a children’s home for girls later accepting boys. From then on, for nearly 70 years, it gave some of Liverpool’s most vulnerable children a refuge from turmoil and unhappiness – a safe, calm and spiritual home. It was on these grounds that a young John Lennon, before Beatles fame, came to play, reflect and escape the post-War streets of Woolton. This inspired him to write the famous song "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles.
After closing in 2005, the gates were opened to public for the first time in 2019. Strawberry Field is now a place that provides sustainable employment opportunities for young people with learning difficulties, a place to visit the new, authentic exhibition dedicated to John Lennon, the story of the place, the song and his early life, and a Christian Community of spiritual exploration, retreat and pastoral care.
In honor of Strawberry Field, we are partnering with Mempops to rename their Strawberry pop as The Salvation Army pop during National Salvation Army Week (May 9th – 13th) at both of their store locations (Crosstown Concourse and East Memphis). Stop by and grab a pop in honor of The Salvation Army!
In addition to renaming for the week, Mempops will be hosting a Spirit Day by donating $1 from every pop sold at their East Memphis location back to us on Thursday, May 12th. Be sure to mention The Salvation Army when buying your favorite flavor as an easy way to give back – with no additional charge to you!
THANK YOU to Mempops for this incredible opportunity! We look forward to a growing partnership with such a giving local business!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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. See below for all opportunities available this week!
Mobile Canteen - May 11
Mobile Canteen is a feeding program on wheels which feeds people who are hungry and often homeless. We are currently having Canteen outings monthly – with this month’s falling during National Salvation Army Week!
Mempops Spirit Day - May 12
Stop by the East Memphis Mempops location (1243 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis, TN 38119) to get a pop, and $1 of each pop sold will be donated back to us. Valid ONLY at this location on 5/12. During the entire National Salvation Army Week, you can get a limited edition The Salvation Army pop at both locations!
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.
Camp Hope Starts - May 30
Camp Hope ensures children in our residential programs have a summer full of fun, while also retaining knowledge they worked so hard to learn during the school year.