Metro Atlanta Women’s Auxiliary are Women of Conviction
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) for the Metro Atlanta Area Command (MAAC), like most auxiliaries, meets monthly to discuss business, finances, and fundraising in support of the mission and services of The Salvation Army. Their April meeting this year was followed by a luncheon and special presentation at the Evangeline Booth College (EBC), attended by all the cadets in training with special guest speakers Commissioners Kenneth and Jolene Hodder, national commanders for The Salvation Army of the United States.
The general business meeting, shorter than is typical for the group, began with prayer and devotion followed by reports from the auxiliary’s officers. This was not simply business as usual, but an opportunity for the cadets of the EBC to experience how a women’s auxiliary operates before being launched into their own field appointments this June or next summer.
“I’ve never worked with a more dedicated and devoted group of women in my life,” Dawn Menear, SAWA fundraising co-chair told the cadets. “I hope that wherever you go, that you are blessed with the opportunity to work with an auxiliary like this one.”
Menear went on to report that over the past six years, the group has raised over $500,000 through their Kettle Krush 5k, an event originally started 10 years ago by MAAC, and later handed off to SAWA as their main annual fundraiser. Funds raised through the race have gone toward many projects and programs in Metro Atlanta over the years including corps improvements, sending Boys and Girls Club members to summer camp, supporting capital campaigns, and investing in impactful corps ministries. “The fundraising is a lot, but the joy in what you get to do in sharing that is even better,” Menear exclaimed.
After adjourning the meeting, all in attendance enjoyed a meal and time of fellowship. The cadets then kicked off the special program with a choral prayer, “For Your Mission,” publicly asking God to fill them with holiness and His divine love as they continue to prepare to enter fulltime ministry as Salvation Army officers.
Commissioner Jolene, national president of women’s ministries, then spoke on the significance of women in ministry and supportive roles in Salvation Army history as well as in her own personal life. “It was their faith and dedication. It’s the reason I’m standing before you today. They have empowered me, and they have been a vital part of my ministry.”
“We could not do what we do without the women’s auxiliary,” Commissioner Jolene emphasized. What we know today as women’s auxiliary began in 1883 when a group of influential women in New York City recognized and appreciated The Salvation Army’s mission and offered to help in its work. “All over the nation there are women’s auxiliaries who are stepping up and out, raising money, raising awareness so that we can spread the hope of Jesus Christ throughout our nation.”
Commissioner Kenneth concluded the gathering, affirming the importance of groups like women’s auxiliary in the future work of The Salvation Army. “I am familiar with the idea of women of conviction, of dedication, of principle, of energy, and of vision stepping forward to do something about the world in which they live.”
“We need volunteers. We need people who are willing to come alongside us. We need people to come together, men and women, and help The Salvation Army to do what God has raised The Salvation Army up to do – to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
