Press releases issued by The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, Florida.

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”

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County reduces Thrift Store prices to help local families overcome financial difficulties.

West Palm Beach, Florida (June 14, 2022) – The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will be offering a 25% discount on already reduced prices at its two Family Stores during the month of July. The decision was made to help families deal with increasing clothing, furniture, and appliance prices created by rising inflation and the nation’s current financial crisis.

“We are always looking for impactful ways to serve those with the most need in our community,” said Major James Hall, The Salvation Army’s Area Commander. “Our mission is to always strive to ‘Do the Most Good!’ Seeing consumer prices and the cost of living continue to rise throughout our Palm Beach County, we decided to help alleviate the financial burden placed on families by lowering our Family store prices.”

The Salvation Army invites the public to visit its 30,000 s/f Super Store at 655 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, and/or its smaller Lake Worth location at 4001 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 3346. Merchandise may be donated at both locations and/or by calling Bruce Garabrant, the Family Store Manager, at (561-683-3513) to schedule a pick-up.

For more information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, please call (561) 686-3530. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County strongly denies any association with local “Stay W.O.K.E. Go Vote” rallies.

West Palm Beach, Florida (May 21, 2022 – The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County strongly denies any association with the “Stay W.O.K.E. Go Vote” rallies scheduled to be held throughout Florida. Recent news reports and publications indicating that The Salvation Army agreed to host such a rally on Saturday afternoon May 21, 2022, at its Northwest Community Center location are incorrect.

As an apolitical, faith-based, philanthropic organization, The Salvation Army does not take positions on political issues and was never consulted regarding the unsanctioned use of its property. The Salvation Army respectfully requests that appropriate corrections be immediately distributed to the public.

For more information about The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, please call (561) 686-3530. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

The Northwest Community Center of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County to host fun-filled event for local community.

West Palm Beach, Florida (April 26, 2022) – The Northwest Community Center of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County will host a Community Outreach Event, on Saturday April 30, 2022, from Noon – 3:00PM at 600 N Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach. The one-day event also includes the Regional Music and Arts Concert. Apart from complementary refreshments and youth games/activities, the jamboree will introduce guests, and neighborhood residents to the Center’s numerous programs and services.

“The Northwest Community Center is designed to encourage growth and the development of children and youth from kindergarten through graduation,” said Dr. James Easley, the Center’s Director. “Our programs are crafted to increase exposure to positive influences through mentoring, character building workshops, tutoring, recreational, social, and community development activities. Saturday’s event is open to all and will serve to remind the public what services and programs we offer.”

Northwest Community Center offers a variety of youth programs accommodating all those in need without discrimination. The Center provides after school, summer, and winter-break camp programs, tutoring and homework assistance; crime and drug prevention programs and conferences; arts appreciation; music lessons; volunteerism; a basketball clinic; community garden; character building activities; and a variety of field trips to art museums, cultural events, and college tours.

For more information, please call The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, at (561) 686-3530 or Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

NAVY SEAL COMMANDER TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON OF THE SALVATION ARMY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

Commander Grant Mann, Executive Director of the National Navy SEAL Museum, will be the guest speaker at Annual Luncheon of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County.

West Palm Beach, Florida (April 7, 2022) – The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County is honored to announce retired U.S. Navy Commander Grant Mann as keynote speaker for their 2022 Annual Luncheon to be held from 11:30AM-1PM at the Pelican Club on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Entitled “The Ties That Bind,” the luncheon aims at gathering local charities and nonprofits around the theme of philanthropic partnerships.

Ticket Information

Commander Mann was born in Toronto, Canada, and raised in Vero Beach, Florida. Upon his enlistment in 1986, Mann immediately reported to Boot Camp and was subsequently assigned to the USS Harry W. Hill. After two years on board, he was selected and attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training Class 162, graduating in October 1989. His operational overseas deployments were in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnia, Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Africa. Commander Mann’s enlisted operational assignments include two tours as a Boatswain Mate, two deployments at SEAL Team FIVE, and seven years at SEAL Team SIX. He is the recipient of a Bronze Star Medal and numerous other awards over his 34 years of service.

“We are honored that Commander Mann has accepted the invitation to be the featured speaker at our Annual Luncheon,” said Majors James and Leisa Hall, Area Commanders of The Salvation Army. “Since The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary, we wanted to select a speaker that would inspire an afternoon gathering of local nonprofit leaders to more effectively collaborate for the greater good of our community. As a courageous member of two SEAL Teams, we cannot imagine a more appropriate individual than Commander Mann to speak on the value of partnerships!”

Commander Mann presently serves as the Executive Director of the National Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, dedicated solely to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors. From humble beginnings in 1985, the facility has experienced tremendous growth, achieving national stature in 2007. The main objective of the Museum remains the promotion of public education by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the Navy SEALs through interactive exhibits, while honoring the fallen at the SEAL Memorial and caring for those warriors’ families through Trident House Charities.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Annual Luncheon please call The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County, at (561) 686-3530 or visit the organization’s Website: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/westpalmbeach. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

PROMINENT PALM BEACH PHILANTHROPISTS COMMIT TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE TO ESTABLISH CENTENNIAL ENDOWMENT

Well-known women intend to advocate for The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County.

West Palm Beach, Florida (March 3, 2022) – Members of the “Ambassador’s Circle” of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach recently met and committed their time, talent, and treasure to help establish the organization’s Centennial Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund is one of many programs and events that The Army has scheduled to help celebrate its 100-year anniversary of charitable service in Palm Beach County.

 

Photo: Left to Right back Row – Susan Cushing, Frank Marangos, William Mikus, Paula Mikus, Suzanne Mott-Dansby, Major James Hall

Left to Right front Row – Kathryn Vecellio, The Honorable Beverly White-Yeager, Major Leisa Hall, Holly Holden

Winners of Salvation Army of Palm of Beach County’s Art Competition selected by Prominent Art Enthusiasts.

West Palm Beach, Florida (February 16, 2022) – Six local artists were selected as finalists of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County’s Fine Art Competition. The Competition took place between October and December of 2021 and helped inaugurate the 2022 Centennial Anniversary Year of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County.

South Florida artists were invited to present their unique interpretation of one or more of the five Core Values of The Salvation Army: (1) Passion, (2) Compassion, (3) Uplifting, (4) Brave, (5) Trustworthy. A sixth category featured artwork commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County. Paint, Sculpture, photography, and mixed media were all accepted for submission for the competition.

First place winner, Lori Pratico received a $3,500 cash prize. The remaining five honorees: Fran Steinmark (Passion), Marion Holmes (Compassion), Stephen Johnson, (Brave), Tony Arruza (Trustworthy), Michael Brigges (Uplifting), and Alex Aviles (Centennial Anniversary) each received a cash prize of $1500.

“We are grateful for the guidance that the distinguished art advisors and curator, Wendy Fritz and Catherine McCulloch brought to the Centennial Art Competition,” said Palm Beach Area Commander, Major James Hall. “Under their leadership, the competition gave local artists a chance to showcase their talent. In fact,” continued Hall, “we are considering a similar art competition for local High School-aged artists later in the year.”

The panel of judges for the Centennial Art Competition included artists recognized in their respective field and active in the South Florida art community. They included Beth Rudin DeWoody, local art collector and well-known curator and philanthropist; Ghislain D’Humieres, Director of The Norton Art Museum; Sybille Welter, Director of Public Art and Culture of West Palm Beach; Vincent Ricardel, eminent photographer, and artist; and Carol Prusa, artist, and professor at Florida Atlantic University.

The Salvation Army is among the largest global nonprofit providers of social services to people living in impoverished communities around the world. The organization has locally helped countless Palm Beach County individuals and families overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services since 1922.

For more information, please contact Frank Marangos, Director of Development and Communications for The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County at (561) 686-3530. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.

Two college-age Salvation Army band members participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

West Palm Beach, Florida (January 18, 2022) – Two West Palm Beach musicians from The Salvation Army’s Florida Brass Band participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2022, in Pasadena, California. Trombone player, Lensky Petion, and Bradley Calixsti, who plays the cornet, were selected to join other musicians from across the country and the world as part of The Salvation Army’s Tournament of Roses Band. This was the 98th consecutive year that a Salvation Army Band marched in the Parade.

Lensky and Bradley were introduced to their respective instruments after their families began attending The Salvation Army Corps (church) in West Palm Beach. Both developed their skills through the weekly and summer music program offered at the church, and the summer music conservatory program at Camp Keystone offered by the Salvation Army’s Florida Divisional Music and Arts department. The college-aged musicians were chosen by Adely Charles, the Florida divisional music and arts director and bandmaster of the Florida Divisional Band, with full support from bandmaster Frankie Peynado, their local music leader and Lieutenants Denzell and Erika McClain their local officers (pastors).

For millions of people around the world, the Tournament of Roses Parade is an iconic New Year’s Day tradition. The Parade has a long and storied history reaching back to the end of the 19th century. The Pageant traveled 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd. and featured four types of entries: floral-decorated floats entered by a participating corporation, non-profit organization or municipality, equestrian units, bands, and Tournament entries.

The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band has marched in the Rose Parade since 1920. The Band is noted for spreading awareness of The Salvation Army’s charitable work to a broader audience for over 100 years. This was the first time that members of the West Palm Beach Salvation Army’s Brass band were selected to play in the parade.

 

For more information, to volunteer, and/or make a financial contribution to The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County please contact Frank Marangos, Director of Development and Communications at 561.686.3530 and/or visit www.salvationarmypalmbeachcounty.org. Facebook information can be found by searching for @salarmypbco.