West Palm Beach, Florida (September 30, 2022) — The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, has deployed resources and personnel to meet the immediate needs of survivors and first responders before, during and after Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic landfall in Florida. Ian comes just days after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico, where The Salvation Army is still serving survivors and responders.

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, on the west coast of Florida, near Port Charlotte. Hurricane Ian follows a similar path as Hurricane Charlie in 2004. While Charlie was a smaller sized storm and moved much quicker across the state, Ian has been slowly moving which will cause much more significant damages. The impacts will likely be worse than Hurricane Irma in 2017, which affected some of these same communities.

Recovery efforts will take years and The Salvation Army is positioned to respond to widespread needs as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

It is an honor to be called upon to serve others in times of disaster,” said Major James Hall, Area Commander.Through The Salvation Army’s Canteen and Rapid Response Unit personal,we seek to show that there is hope, even in the storm. We are activated and prepared to go to where the storm hits the hardest, to meet the needs of disaster survivors in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Ian Prep/Initial Response:

  • The Salvation Army has mobile feeding units, (Canteens) ready to respond, with 27 already in Florida, stationed across the state. Each mobile feeding unit can feed approximately 1,500 meals per day.
  • The Salvation Army has been feeding at evacuation shelters in many communities across the state and will continue as needed
  • Emergency Disaster Services warehouses in Tampa, Florida, and McDonough, Georgia are prepped with food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and other items that will be distributed to those in need in the coming days and weeks. 

The Salvation Army disaster personnel collaborate with emergency management agencies and partner agencies and organizations, as it will take the efforts of many to meet the needs of disaster survivors impacted by Hurricane Ian.

To make a financial gift to support Hurricane relief efforts:

  • Donate online: www.HelpSalvationArmy.org. 
  • Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
  • Text-To-Donate: Text STORM to 51555 to donate to help disaster relief efforts.
  • Current media releases, updates, and information – www.disaster.salvationarm.org

One hundred percent of designated disaster donations go to direct services for survivors and first responders.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued response, visit https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.Formore information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County,please call(561) 6863530 or visit: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/westpalmbeach. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

NEW YORK — Palm Beachers know that when it comes to parties, distance is no obstacle.  Look at all the “Friends of …” groups — Versailles, the Uffizzi Gallery, British Art, the Israel Museum.  Come summer, everybody’s winging off on a fact-finding mission to see how their donation was spent…Read More

Dignitaries Attend Kick-off for the Marjorie Merriweather Post’s “Paradise Ball” to Benefit The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County.

West Palm Beach, Florida (September 22, 2022) – A kick-off event was held in New York on September 14th to inaugurate the Marjorie Merriweather Post’s “Paradise Ball” to benefit The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County. The stylish soiree was hosted by Susan and Hunter Cushing at their Park Avenue apartment.

The “The Paradise Ball” is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Palm Beach, Florida Mar-a-Lago Club. The historic landmark home was selected for the White Tie Event due to its original owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post, who purchased the land and constructed her residence in 1922, the same year that The Salvation Army located its offices in Palm Beach, Florida.

Apart from Libby Pataki, former First Lady of New York, bestselling author, Allison Pataki, attended the reception and read a passage from her recent novel “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie M. Post.” Additional guests included Holly Holden, Chair, Farley Rentschler, Junior Chair of the Ball, and many other Palm Beach residents, Majors Chip and Leisa Hall, Area Commanders of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County were also in attendance.

“Marjorie Merriweather Post lived her life in service to others,” said Allison Pataki. “During the Great Depression, Post locked up her priceless jewels and threw herself into opening and running the Marjorie Post Hutton Canteen in partnership with The Salvation Army, whereby she fed thousands of hungry New Yorkers each day. As Post was also the consummate hostess, the “Paradise Ball,” would be just the sort of gathering that Post could have supported with her unrivaled enthusiasm and generosity. It will be an opportunity to serve others,” continued Pataki, “to gather with friends new and old, and to come together as a community to make the world a better place.”

“How fortunate we are to celebrate a century of the devoted service of the Salvation Army of Palm Beach County,” said Holly Holden. The White Tie “Paradise Ball” will have a festive theme of pink and will radiate merriment, and embrace a time of old-world graciousness, where charm, and politeness were a way of life. As The Salvation Army was founded in London in l865, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill (Blenheim Palace) and Her Grace, The Duchess of Rutland (Belvoir Castle) in England, have graciously agreed to be Honorary Chairs.” In total agreement, Rentschler said “I think after everything that everyone’s gone through in the past two years it will be quite a joy to have something so glamorous as a white tie party to look forward to!”

To purchase Ticket to the “Paradise Ball,” or for more information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, please call (561) 686-3530 or visit the organization’s webpage to view upcoming events and photos of various era events. Website: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/westpalmbeach. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

West Palm Beach, FL – A kick-off event was held in New York on September 14th to inaugurate the Marjorie Merriweather Post’s “Paradise Ball” to benefit The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County. The stylish soiree was hosted by Susan and Hunter Cushing at their Park Avenue apartment… Read More

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will offer 100-days of reduced prices at Thrift Store to help local families.

West Palm Beach, Florida (September 26, 2022) – In honor of its Centennial Anniversary, The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County is offering “100-Days of Savings” (September 22 – January 30, 2022) at its two-Family Store Locations.

Shoppers will receive weekly in store discounts on already reduced prices for the 100 days of savings. Purchases of any amount will also be eligible for a weekly $100 Shopping Coupon Prize drawing by submitting their email address. A Cash Grand Prize of $250 will be drawn from all entry forms on Day 100 (December 30, 2022).

“The decision to offer “100-Days of Savings” was made due to the overwhelming financial needs of local families in dealing with increasing clothing, furniture, and appliance prices created by rising inflation and supply shortages,” said Major Chip Hall, the Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Palm beach County. I can think of no better way to celebrate our organization’s Centennial Anniversary than to focus on helping local families deal with the nation’s current financial crisis.”

“I want to personally invite the public to visit our two-Family Store locations during our “100-Days of Savings,” said Bruce Garabrant. “While our 30,000 s/f Super Store is located at 655 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, our smaller boutique is located at 4001 Kirk Road, Lake Worth. The Salvation Army Family Store staff and I look forward to serving and awarding our weekly coupon and final cash grand prize to our eligible shoppers.”

To schedule a pick-up please call the Family Store Manager, at (561) 683-3513). For more information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, please call (561) 686-3530 or visit: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/westpalmbeach. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

Back-to—Season! Michael Reinert, Farley Rentschler and Brooke Kosinski

attended their first Junior Committee meeting of the season preparing for

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County Centennial Anniversary Paradise Ball! Happening December 10, 2022

https://www.facebook.com/newyorksocialdiarypb

@salvationarmyus #whitetiegala #salvationarmy #palmbeach #2022socialseason

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will celebrate its Centennial Gala at Marjorie Merriweather Post’s historic landmark resort.

West Palm Beach, Florida (July 13, 2022) – The Centennial Anniversary Committee of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will host “The Paradise Ball” on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Mar-a-Lago Club. The historic landmark home was selected for the White tie Event due to its initial owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post, who purchased the land and constructed her residence in 1922, the same year that The Salvation Army located its offices in Palm Beach, Florida.

 

After the stock market crash of October 1929, Marjorie Merriweather Post became deeply concerned with the plight of those affected by the hardships of Great Depression, especially the multitude of hungry people. She put her jewels into a vault, cancelled the insurance, and with the money saved she provided funds for the Marjorie Post Hutton Free Food Station. It was operated by The Salvation Army in New York City, in the area commonly known as “Hell’s Kitchen.” One newspaper described her as “Lady Bountiful” because of her gracious generosity to those less fortunate. For five years, from 1930 to 1935, thousands of grateful women and children received nourishing hot meals in dignified surroundings.

“It is a joy to announce that the ‘The Paradise Ball,’ will mark the Centennial Anniversary of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County,” said Holly Holden, Chair of the Anniversary Committee. “For this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, it is fitting that guests will enjoy splendid repasts and dancing in the elegant surroundings, built by such a wonderful philanthropist as Marjorie Merriweather Post. On behalf of the entire Committee,” continued Holden, “I am honored to invite the entire Palm Beach County Community to help the organization inaugurate a new century of dedicated service by attending our festive White tie event.”

“The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County has been a vital part of the South Florida community for 100 years,” said Majors Chip and Leisa Hall. “It is, indeed, a privilege to have been selected to continue the 100-year legacy of this august location by serving, inspiring, and transforming the lives of the less fortunate as its Area Commanders. We look forward to celebrating our Centennial Anniversary with the entire Palm Beach County community at “The Paradise Ball.”

Ever-increasing members of the Anniversary Committee currently include Holly Holden, Chair; Farley Rentschler, Chair of the Junior Committee; William Mikus, Chair of Salvation Army Advisory Board; Marie Davis, Advisory Board member; Paula Mikus, Salvation Army Ambassador Circle member; Dr. Frank Marangos, Director of Development and Communications; and Susan Cushing, event planner and owner of Espalier Events.

For more information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County please call (561) 686-3530 or visit the organization’s Centennial Celebration webpage to view upcoming events and photos of various era events. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

(Miami, FL) (August 4, 2022) –  With its “Lunch and Love” program, the Salvation Army Miami is providing love and meals to those in need on Miami’s streets.

In an effort to replicate the same impact made at Miami Area Command to the surrounding community, Lunch and Love was developed by David Jenett, Case Worker and Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator. With the use of the FedEx Cares EDS Canteen (pictured above), David and his team were able to serve 150 meals and 50 snack packs to the homeless that are located within the Government Center and North Miami area of Miami-Dade.

David had one thought in mind: it’s necessary and it’s impactful, “Not everyone is able to migrate to our corps so why not bring the assistance to them? We have a Canteen that can go a long way and a team that can stretch the effort even more.” Despite the rainy conditions, the team dedicated nearly four hours of service, with the assistance of Terrance McCray and Susi Goihman.

They even had a helper! When the team needed to draw the meal recipients to one location, an individual on a bike (who is also homeless) rode around the area and alerted everyone else to the free lunch being served. A day filled with love, service, and gratitude would not have been possible without David, Terrance, and Susi’s dedication, their efforts were a big success.

The program will take place once a month throughout Miami-Dade, with the goal of becoming a regular service. The team hopes to make Lunch and Love a bi-weekly effort.

Due to overwhelming positive response, the Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will continue offering reduced Thrift Store prices to help local families.

West Palm Beach, Florida (July 28, 2022) – The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will continue offering a 25% discount on already reduced prices at its two Family Stores during the month of August. The decision was made due to the overwhelming response of local families who expressed appreciation to the organization for helping them deal with increasing clothing, furniture, and appliance prices created by rising inflation and supply shortages due to the nation’s current financial crisis.

“We are humbled by the outpouring of appreciation expressed by local residents to our Family Store volunteers and employees,” said Major James Hall, The Salvation Army’s Area Commander, “for helping them deal with the nation’s current financial crisis. As our mission is to always strive to ‘Do the Most Good,” we have decided to continue offering reduced Thrift Store prices.”

“I want to personally invite the public to visit our two Family Store locations,” said Bruce Garabrant.” While our 30,000 s/f Super Store is located at 655 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, our smaller boutique is located at 4001 Kirk Road, Lake Worth. However, due to the overwhelming demand on our inventory, I want to encourage those that can, to donate good quality merchandise at either, or both locations. The need for useable quality items is great,” said Garabrant, “so please join us in helping local families with the most need.”

The life-threatening temperatures currently impacting approximately 35 million Americans signal the continuation of what experts predicted to be a “hotter-than-usual” summer.

Extreme heat is deadlier than hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods annually, with almost 1,600 people dying last year in the United States. In some areas, unsheltered individuals account for nearly half of these deaths. Communities in nearly every part of the country are under heat advisories following unseasonably intense spikes in temperature. Unsheltered individuals in these areas face dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and infections from sweat-soaked clothing that go unwashed.

 Because of the generous support of our donors, The Salvation Army is able to offer heat relief at many of our 7,200 locations across the country, which can be lifesaving in many situations.

 Examples of some of The Salvation Army’s services across the country include:

  • Omaha, NE: As temperatures are expected to skyrocket, The Salvation Army of Omaha has activated cooling centers and a summer fan program to help people stay cool and avoid heat-related illness.
  • Tucson, AZ: Salvation Army volunteers passed out ice cold water, umbrellas, sunscreen and other essentials to survive the summer heat.
  • Denver, CO: The Crossroads and Lambuth Family Center are providing a number of resources in the Denver metro area including shelters to keep people hydrated and covered.
  • Wichita, KS: In addition to opening a cooling center for unsheltered individuals, The Salvation Army has also donated fans to Sedgwick County.
  • Lubbock, TX: For those who don’t have access to adequate air conditioning, The Salvation Army is opening a cooling station in Lubbock. It will serve water, popsicles, and ice cream and provide water-based games for the children in the shelter.
  • New York City, NY: Eight cooling centers are being launched in several neighborhoods including Tremont in the Bronx and Times Square to provide relief from the heat.

Across the country, The Salvation Army is opening cooling centers for those who need water and shade, as well as providing utility support for the elderly or other vulnerable individuals in affected communities.

The best way to support these efforts is by making a financial contribution, which allows The Salvation Army to meet immediate and long-term needs. To learn more about The Salvation Army’s response, visit salvationarmyusa.org.

To learn more about staying safe in extreme heat, click here.

Those who are able to donate can do so through a variety of convenient and safe methods:

  • Visit HelpSalvationArmy.org
  • Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Make a contribution through Amazon Alexa by saying, “Alexa, make a donation to The Salvation Army”