Volunteering: The Salvation Army

When Christmas comes around, it’s time for all the different types of charities to come out. The Salvation Army is one of them; they are out everywhere looking for people to give money. When they are ringing the bell, people do not ask what does this support. They are instantly digging in their pockets, wallets, and purses to find loose change. When they find coins or dollar bills, they just put them in the red bucket and keep on walking. Why do people do this? People should research charities before giving because the money may not be spent on what the charity says, may not reach the people in need, or could just go to waste.

One of the many beautiful things about San Marcos, Texas, is that it's overflowing with volunteer opportunities. Many organizations have formed volunteer communities to team up and serve the city and surrounding areas. This list provides just some of the opportunities available for volunteering in San Marcos.

The Salvation Army's history began in 1865 in London, England where it was founded by a minister named William Booth (Drucker, 1989). Today the Salvation Army can be found all over the world. It has provided disaster relief, spiritual support to those who ask, and also financial support for people needing the rent bank, the food bank and hydro. The Salvation Army generates its funds through donations and through their Salvation Army Thrift stores that they operate by selling used items. The money they raise is primarily used to fund their programs and services, like their summer camp and their Christmas basket program and their relief fund which helps cover the costs when a disaster strikes. The food bank is one of many additions to the Salvation

Imagine walking by your favorite department store, you hear the familiar sound of a bell ringing. With the sound becoming louder, you can now see the famous red bucket and someone there to greet you with an enormous smile and a holiday cheer. The people of the Salvation Army aren’t there just around the holidays; they are actively collecting all year round. One of the oldest and most recognized charities also has the highest efficiencies. They reach millions of people all over the world. A monumental organization is characterized by providing for those in need, motivation to identify and eliminate the cause of that need and to bring the community closer.

Appreciation for the human service sector largely depends upon the moral standard in which its conglomerates uphold. Such organizations seek to maintain their level of “legitimacy” by adapting to successful strategies; thus appealing to the grace of its audience (Hasenfeld, 2010, p. 14). Hasenfeld (2010) states “their growth and survival depend less on the technical proficiency of their work and more on their conformity with dominant cultural symbols and belief systems, that is, institutional rules” (pg 14-15). Suggesting that the models used, and the shifting that takes place within the human service organizations, are based upon the ideologies accepted in that time or season.

Before we can explore and tell about the contribution the Salvation Army provided the community, we have to understand its beginnings and its foundation. Concerned ministered William

Salvation Army is an international non-profit organization that operates here in the United States and abroad, to help the vulnerable people; it began serving the people of the Green Bay area on February 14, 1891 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2016 (Salvation Army).

I volunteer for many organizations because I am currently in clubs such as HOSA and Key Club. For HOSA, we volunteered at God's Storehouse. God's Storehouse is a small, local community center that helps citizens in the local community to gather the necessities they need. They take donations for clothes, food, and even toys. Us HOSA members went around Thanksgiving. We helped with hanging and organizing clothes and rearranging toys and placing them in the proper places. What I really enjoyed the most about this experience is seeing the wonderful smiles on the faces of the people in need. I was very blessed to have the luxuries in my life. It feels even better to give a person in need happiness. I would love to volunteer for God's Storehouse

Lisa, I am so proud of you for selecting The Salvation Army. This place is somewhere where people can go for a hot meal, place to sleep, and a kind word. I think this company provides many helpful services for the men, woman, and families in our community. I have volunteered there helping with meals and brought my two children along. I felt like they needed to witness how good their lives are and give back to the community too. This was an eye opener for them and they came away with a better understanding of the real world and what they have. I recommend all children volunteer there to get them thinking how good they have it verses the people there. The company is non profit and provides these services for free. This is why people should donate

The Salvation Army Liberty Croutch English II Ms. Charles October 18, 2017 Victorian England proved a time of division and hardship for the country. Destruction and damage dominated throughout the land. Through this division however, some influential people, businesses, and many more things arose. One of these significant things which arose from the dust, was the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army proves the most significant international charitable organization that has been created, due to it’s positive affects on not only Victorian England, but the world and it’s history.

One great thing a person can do in life and that is to volunteer in an organization. Volunteering has many things a person can learn from that he or she may not know about. Volunteering is something that people do in spied of themselves. Volunteering, whether on a large or small scale, plays an important role in America. With the changes in the economy, cities depend on Volunteers more than ever. The Salvation Army has volunteers that give food to the homeless and a place where the homeless can lay their head. To understand better the power of volunteers, the benefits of volunteering and one example, The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army has raised the third largest amount of money by a private charity, as of 2012 (Flandez). None of this could have been done without donations and volunteer work by regular citizens. The Salvation Army raised four million dollars in 2014 alone (The Salvation Army 2015 Annual Report). 82% of all donations are spent on aiding people in need, but 100%of donations go to aiding people during disaster relief efforts (Ellis). Donations made to the Salvation Army stay in the community that they were donated, this helps keep money in the local economy and helps ensure that donations are going to help people

Influencing others, a great thing to do especially if it’s someone that looks up to you or that you care about. Making a change in people’s lives is a great thing to do. I have been called a “leader” by one of the kids at the Salvation Army. I have positively influenced someone by giving a speech on what to do and how to solve problems.

How often do we pass by someone on the side of the highway holding a sign asking for money so they can buy themselves something to eat? We see representatives from The Salvation Army at our local grocery store with bins collecting money for their organization, but instead of donating money we keep walking as if they’re invisible. Often times we talk about change within our community, but we don’t put those words into action. Fostering change within the community is necessary because without it how else do we expect to see a difference within our area. Promoting change is also necessary because you always want to see positive things happening in your community. When positive changes are happening in your community, it can attract people and

The Salvation Army is an organization that help’s the poor, disabled and homeless. They help feed, clothe, shelter, and also help find jobs for men and women. Many people in the community who drop off their clothing to donation sites probably don’t know where their clothing is going to. Everything that is being donated is helping out everybody in need even across the nation. All the money that has been made goes back into the shelters. Helping out in the community can be a wonderful thing not only is you clearing up space for unwanted things but you're also helping out others. It is amazing what people can do with something. What isn’t your style can be another person’s treasure.