Irving, Texas’ League of Volunteers Supports Corps, Community
Irving, Texas' League of Volunteers Supports Corps, Community
Bonnie Kelley had the desire to help the less fortunate in her community of Irving, Texas, and so eight years ago she founded the League of Volunteers. She began asking women, one by one, to be a part of a group of like-minded women with the goal of helping The Salvation Army with its ministry and mission in Irving. Today, the group has more than 25 active members and maintains a busy schedule of meetings and events.
The group's mission statement reads, "Motivated by the love of God and a practical concern for the needs of humanity; we the volunteers and members of The Salvation Army League of Volunteers of Irving dedicate the work of our hands and our God-given gifts to serve, support and assist the ministry of The Salvation Army." The prayer of the League of Volunteers is, "Oh Lord, let your beauty and delightfulness and your favor be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands."
The League of Volunteers meets monthly and has taken on significant responsibility for the silent auction at the Irving Super Lunch, a large community fund-raiser each December, as well as the Soup, Soap & Hope Luncheon each April. They generate much needed support, volunteers and practical resources for the ministries of The Salvation Army Dallas Temple Irving Corps.
The women also volunteer each Friday operating the S.O.U.L. program – Sustaining Our Unlimited Lives – at the corps. This program is designed to provide individuals and families both physical and spiritual food. Each Friday, group members organize the food to be distributed, share a devotional and prayer with the clients and then guide them through the pickup line, showing them individual dignity and concern.