Giving to top charities rose 3.7% in 2020, driven by wealthy
In the wake of the most devastating public-health emergency in a century and the resulting economic uncertainty, Americans provided more charitable dollars to United Way Worldwide than any other nonprofit focused on direct aid, followed by the Salvation Army and St. Jude Childrenโs Research Hospital, according to new rankings by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Salvation Army of Roanoke, LewisGale hosts free health fair
ROANOKE, Va. โ The Salvation Army of Roanoke and LewisGale Family and Community Medicine residency program have a new partnership and their first project is a free community health fair. The fair is Saturday, Feb. 27 noon to 2 p.m. in the Salvation Armyโs gym located at 724 Dale Avenue SE. Once inside, there will be a variety of socially distanced stations with residents from LewisGale psychiatric, family medicine and internal medicine departments. During a time where stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, Price-Clarke felt it was critical the event included mental health too. We want to make sure that theyโre given the proper information to take care of their physical and mental health and mental health right now is something we really do need to focus on,โ said Price-Clarke.
Donations soar but nonprofits still struggle with pandemic
Despite record amounts of charitable donations this year, nonprofits across the country are being suffocated by the effects of the pandemic. December is typically the most important month for nonprofit revenues, as Christmas and end-of-year tax deductions drive a flood of charitable giving. Thatโs a $60 million drop for the iconic fundraising drive being crippled by the pandemic in numerous ways. Fidelity Charitable said it has distributed 32% more grants and seen a 20% increase in people setting up investment accounts for charitable giving this year. The national advocacy group projects 12,000 arts and cultural nonprofits are at risk of being wiped out forever.
Holiday events return to River Ridge Mall with COVID-19 changes
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ Lynchburgโs River Ridge Mall is teaming up with the Salvation Army for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. Guests can sponsor a child by taking a tag off the โAngel Treesโ and bringing the gift back to River Ridge or the Salvation Army. And starting next weekend, you can meet Santa, but guests are asked to make reservations online. โWeโll be cleaning between each visit with Santa Claus. You do have to be socially distant from Santa Claus, so you canโt sit on his lap this year; but thatโs okay because weโre still going to make the photos look really great,โ said Katie Farris, the mallโs marketing manager.
Salvation Armyโs Angel Tree registration moved online
The Salvation Army Angel Tree registration runs October 1-25, but the organization changed its process this year. Visit www.saangeltree.org to start the registration process. Posted by The Salvation Army of Danville, Virginia on Wednesday, September 30, 2020For eligibility, the Danville Salvation Army requires a valid ID, birth certificate with the parentโs name, proof of total income for all adults in the home, proof of expenses and proof of residency. Other area Salvation Army offices are accepting applications as well. Hereโs a list of the other locations with links to their registration:Click here for more information about Angel Tree.
Virus protection adds new wrinkle to Southwest heat relief
There are still few places where our homeless can go," Salvation Army Major David Yardley said at the group's downtown center. Blistering temperatures can endanger health, and can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death. The daily high temperatures in Phoenix were forecast to hit 110 degrees (43C) or very close to it during the extreme heat warning in effect through Sunday, National Weather Service forecasters said. The cooling stations in metro Phoenix open when the weather service declares extreme heat warnings They were also open for a string of days during an extreme heat warning in late April. In metro Las Vegas, where an excessive heat warning is in effect until Friday evening, four heat relief stations were open.
Alleghany Countyโs M3 Militia distributes meals to most at risk
This week, the Alleghany Highlands is getting some extra attention from a group of dedicated people as people stay inside. In the face of the COVID-19 stay home order, more than 200 people are getting hand-delivered meals. M3 Militia formed in response to the second amendment controversy, but group president Corey Clark said community service rises above. Criss-crossing Alleghany County, the group called upon the Salvation Army, local food joints and Sheriff Kevin Hall to help. The Salvation Army is getting ready to give more aid in the coming days, leading the switch from daily meals to a more sustainable canned food program.
Buttigieg backs black leaders after Indiana event disrupted
African American leaders held an event Wednesday night to dispute the notion that Buttigieg lacks support from the black community in South Bend, the South Bend Tribune reported. Video shows a protester interrupting speaker Sharon McBride as he shouts, โWho chose these people as black leaders?โ He then takes the microphone and yells repeatedly, โThis is a farce!" The man was wearing a T-shirt that said โBlack Lives Matter South Bend,โ the newspaper reported. Buttigieg, who is gay and married to his husband, Chasten, also responded to criticism over a past dealing with the Salvation Army. However, the Salvation Army has pushed back at its criticsโ portrayal of the group as discriminatory.
Chick-fil-A drops support for The Salvation Army, FCA
ROANOKE, Va. โ Chick-fil-A confirmed to Thomson Reuters Foundation on Monday that it would no longer support two Christian organizations opposed to same-sex marriage. The Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes are considered anti-LGBTQ groups by some for their views. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has the following Sexual Purity Statement:โGod desires His children to lead pure lives of holiness. Participating children were not required to be a member of FCA and did not have to sign any FCA pledges. Salvation Army: In 2017, the Foundation provided approximately $150,000 to support childrenโs programs in Atlanta, including camps for kids and the Angel Tree.
Martinsville winter warming center forced to close
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - A winter warming center in Martinsville is shut for the foreseeable future due to a lack of volunteers and space. The Community Fellowship church and other congregations in the area partnered to open the center at the Salvation Army five years ago. However, this year, they need someone to lead the program, a new location and volunteers, especially those who can work overnight. One warming center organizer, Michael Harrison, the lead pastor at The Community Fellowship, said they are still determined to somehow open this winter to help those in need. In the past, anywhere from three to 10 people stayed at the center on freezing nights.
Lynchburg tries to keep cool during heat wave
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Temperatures in Lynchburg stayed in the mid-90s throughout Friday, so residents had to think of ways to stay safe from the sun. The Salvation Army of Greater Lynchburg helped out by turning its compound into a cooling shelter. Some summer camps decided to have their children cool off across the street from the Salvation Army at the Miller Park pool. Kids get very bored and they want to stay cool, and this is the best way," Key said. After this week's heat wave inspired people to find whatever they could to keep cool, the alliance gave out its last A/C unit on Friday.
Lynchburg officials open cooling centers after warnings of extreme heat
LYNCHBURG, Va. - If you need a place to beat the heat in Lynchburg, you're in luck. The City of Lynchburg also shared a list of heat safety tips on their website:Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Dont drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar - these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.