A Salvation Army Christmas snapshot

This was my first Salvation Army Christmas. An opportunity to visit and soak up the Army at work as it prepared for its busiest time of year.

I had my digital camera and camcorder with me. Digital pictures and video are ideal tools to capture the essence of the Salvation Army—the grass roots good works, the passionate volunteers and the people being helped. The lives influenced and changed. And recollections of how the Army made a difference in someone’s life years ago that helped transform them into who they are today.

The Salvation Army is rich in stories at Christmas-time. The challenge is covering a vast source of content across the Maritimes with limited resources.

Much of the Maritime Salvation Army Christmas story isn’t represented here. However, this 8 minute video is an attempt to provide a snapshot of what “giving hope today” is all about at this time of year.

I think you’ll see why I’m inspired to continue documenting as much of the whole picture as I can.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

An angel in the night

My role with the Salvation Army has changed me. It’s impossible not to change when you meet the likes of Audrey Wamboldt at Christmas time.

Even though we spent a mere 45 minutes talking in her office, I now feel like I’ve known her my whole life. Passionate, genuine people have that kind of effect on me.

Audrey and her family were changed by their life experiences facing the homeless on the West coast. She’s now brought her mission to help the homeless to the East coast. In the process, she’s quickly building a following of other “angels” of the night in Halifax. I suspect they feel like they’ve known Audrey forever, too. And are thankful for it.

View the video of the remarkable night of December 12th and take the photo tour below.

View the video by clicking on the "play" button on the image below:

Click on the photo below to take the photo tour:

To find out more about Invis Angels in the Night across Canada, click here.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

A monument to the Christmas spirit

“The Army was there for my family when we needed it. Now I have a chance to come back and pay it forward. You people mean so much to me!”

Tammy Frederick was holding back tears as she marveled at the mountain of toys, the result of the annual toy drive by the Metro Radio Group and Empire Theatres in Halifax. Tammy arrived in her company’s convertible VW bug, loaded with toys for girls and boys. This emotional, colourful scene was typical of the morning.

The toys were coming in the car-loads, cart-loads and arm-loads. It was a constant stream: families with kids on their way to school, office-groups and individual people. Their imaginations sparked again this year by the C100 “breakfast club” broadcasting descriptions of the huge mountain of toys inside the complex.

It’s a monument to goodwill and the Christmas spirit. Thanks to the audience of the Metro Radio Group, including C100, Kool FM and Q104, this year’s mountain looks like it will climb past last year’s summit—over 7,000 toys for distribution by the Salvation Army.

To share in the extraordinary scene, take the photo tour by clicking here.
-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Santa Shuffle 2006

The Santa Shuffle is becoming a must-see and must-do family event in Halifax. Take a look at the video at the end of this post and you’ll see why. (click on the photo on the right to view the online album)

Mix together Running Room enthusiasts, Christmas outfits, kids of all ages, family pets and a passionate fund-raiser for the Salvation Army…and you get a memorable family spectacle. And with Santa as the lead-cheerleader, you’re bound to have a lot of memorable photos and video!

Inspired by Running Room CEO John Stanton, The Santa Shuffle began in Edmonton some twenty years ago and has now taken root in more than 30 Canadian and U.S. cities raising money for the Army’s Christmas Red Shield appeal. Last year, nearly a half million dollars went to families in need.

The Santa Shuffle now attracts runners and spectators in the thousands in Edmonton and Calgary where it’s reached mythic proportions. Here in the Maritimes, the event is held in Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and Halifax—each location generating plenty of colour and passion for the Army.

Several individual stories of inspiration are chronicled in this years’ Halifax video. We expect to share more. And, if you’ve got some memorable Santa Shuffle photos from your local run here in the Maritimes, send them to me and we’ll include them in the 2006 Santa Shuffle online photo album. Merry Christmas!

Santa Shuffle Halifax video

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

The Online Kettle: a first in Atlantic Canada

Turn up your speakers and click on play below to hear this podcast report.

The partnership between The Halifax Daily News and The Salvation Army to "adopt families" this Christmas has opened the hearts and sparked the imagination of donors across Halifax. Click on the photo below to donate to the Online Kettle.

Diane van der Horden and Marie Manton of The Daily News logon to the Online Kettle.

The partnership now moves online in the last few weeks to Christmas. A working mom of five teenagers talks about what that support truly means.


  
-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

The Army remembers

“Could we have the children at the back of the church come to the front please?” Up the aisle they bounded, about six toddlers settling in front of Captain Carson Decker. Capt. Decker was leading the annual Remembrance Day celebration at the Sackville Church.

The Salvation Army pastor gestured to some 60 veterans in the church, asking, “Kids, do you know why these people are so special?”

I felt a lump in my throat and tears well up in my eyes. It was an emotional scene; a gathering of three generations celebrating Canada’s veterans in a Salvation Army church.

The bond between the Canadian Forces and the Salvation Army is as strong as it is long. To appreciate the scope of this special relationship, visit http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/salvationarmy/index_e.html

I was in awe in the presence of these special Canadians. Several World War Two vets talked about their experiences and their introduction to the Salvation Army on the battlefront as if it happened last week.

Watch and listen as one of them describes his recruitment into the war, and the unique role that the Salvation Army played.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Fund Development & Public Relations
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Breakfast at the Block, revisited

Slowly but surely, the Army’s presence continues to grow at 500 Block on Herring Cove Road in Spryfield. It’s an area of high poverty and has one of the highest concentrations of single-parent families in Nova Scotia.

I visited Breakfast at the Block back in August and was taken by George Hillier and his merry band of Army volunteers manning the Community Response Unit. That visit has always been in the back of my mind…and I needed to get back for more of the story.

Here’s what I found, in the following video.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Technology upgrade—is a win-win-win

How can upgrading an office computer network benefit employees, the company and the Salvation Army? When you’re a creative Halifax entrepreneur, anything’s possible.

Making some follow up thank you calls to Salvation Army donors, the voice on the other end beckoned me, “you’d better come over. We have more money for you.”

It was Michael Turner, president of Turner Drake & Partners, a well-known Halifax real estate consultancy. He’s been a life-long supporter of the Salvation Army, which has just benefited from his creative ingenuity.

Micheal Turner

The company replaces their computer technology frequently because of rapid software advances in their industry.

“So Mike thought, why not offer the high-end older models to the staff of the company at really low price as a fund-raiser for The Salvation Army?” according to Bonnie Zinck, office manager for the firm.

One of the reasons I enjoy my role with the Salvation Army so much is because I’m continually exposed to people at their best. For example, listening to people like Michael Turner passionately describe why they come up with ideas like this and why they support the Army.

“I don’t see our company as exceptional. We’re just giving the money to The Salvation Army to do the hard work,” Turner says.

“It’s a great investment. It’s in our interest to help those who need the help. If you come out of a restaurant or theatre in downtown Halifax and you’re surrounded by people who’ve got nothing, how does that make you feel? How does that make you feel about your city?”

As a youth from the UK traveling the globe working for a shipping company, what Turner saw first-hand in poorer parts of the world changed him.

“It’s a shock to see the conditions people live in their entire lives. You can’t turn on the news and not be struck by how precarious the state of the world is. And much of that is because of the gulf between people who have everything and people who have nothing. It’s in our self interest to address these problems. Poverty and lack of help forces people to do desperate things. It can have terrible consequences on community.”

Turner Drake office team

Turner Drake has other fans of the Army, who helped promote the computer deal.

“The Salvation Army has been there in my life,” Bonnie Zinck says. “When I was a little girl, I went to Salvation Army Sunday school. When my son was stranded hitchhiking in a blizzard, the police delivered him to the Salvation Army. It was easy to support Mike on this great idea. And the employees got a great deal on some fantastic machines!”

I can think of another winner in all of this. They didn’t wind up on the curb and in the trash. Make that a win-win-win-win.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

A place to live, not to die

“A nursing home isn’t a place to come and die. It’s a place to come and live life to the fullest. With the right support and the right people, our residents come to enjoy their days. It’s not a place to give up,” according to Major Shirley King.

Major Shirley King and staff
Shirley’s the executive director of Lakeview Manor, the only home in the area licensed to provide level-three care—24-hour, seven-a-week professional nursing care.

Located in a large green belt overlooking the Petitcodiac River in Riverview, New Brunswick, many folks in the greater Moncton area aren’t aware of this hidden gem—a testimonial to human kindness.

When you visit this place it’s hard not to have a rush of emotions—gladness that a place like this exists. Apprehension about your own, pending “twilight.” And if you should live so long, you can only hope that they have a space for you at Lakeview.

“We have people here who’ve been under our care for many, many years and they’re still with us. It’s a tribute to the quality of care and staff here.”

Therein lays the dilemma. There’s lots of people waiting to get in, but existing residents at Lakeview Manor live a long and happy time. “We could fill 15 extra beds tomorrow, if we had the beds. At the same time, we don’t want to lose the unique environment that Lakeview has become as a 50-bed home,” Shirley says.

The staff have things well in hand and provide an incredible level of caring and empathy, as you’ll see in the video (below). So, what are the challenges? “Budgeting and volunteers,” says Shirley.

“Our volunteer-population is getting older. And we’re often challenged in our budget with the unexpected. Such as roof repairs. Or a back-up generator, which was a major investment.”

“We were without power for 15 hours during an ice-storm several years ago. It was very touch-and-go that night. But thanks to the community and our staff, we’re prepared for that sort of thing again. However, the financial challenges will keep coming. We’ll need the community along side us more than ever.”

Shirley says that Lakeview is well-known by word-of-mouth and to anyone that may have a connection to a resident there. But other than that, Lakeview is a secret to the general public.

Not anymore. Come and experience this miracle of kindness by the river.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Precious Moments

When you talk to Sean and Marilyn Furey, the word that leaps to mind is “passionate”.

They’re passionate about Dartmouth and the vast potential of its’ people. Particularly those served by their Salvation Army ministry headquartered at the Dartmouth Community Church on Pleasant Street.
The Fureys embody the Army’s philosophy of “a hand-up, not a hand-out.” Some of the people they help can be self-conscious about receiving assistance in getting used-furniture, clothing, food, or whatever.

“If that’s the case, I ask them, why don’t you help us pack the stuff…or help with clean-up, or what have you. A lot of them jump at the chance,” Sean says.

I found a lot of that sort of two-way collaboration when I visited the Fureys’ bi-weekly daycare program for parents and young children, called “Precious Moments.”

The positive impact the Fureys and their volunteer staff are having in Dartmouth can’t be adequately described here. A brief video may do some of their story a little justice (click below).

But I think there’s something the video won’t be able to adequately tell. Something that was so evident during my two hours there.

Despite the oppressive backgrounds of many of the parents, and the lack of a lot of daily resources—including an active second-parent, I was overcome by their complete serenity and joy during these “precious moments.”

It was inescapable. It was as if everyone was in heaven. It’s too bad it only happens every second Thursday. Take a look.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Dougie's story

I was awe-inspired for two days in Moncton recently—diving into the Army’s stories there. The people and the passion I discovered there have had a big impact on me.

Not least of which is the story about Dougie. His story is a perfect example of where…the Army sees a person and a need, and they bend over backwards to fill that need.

The ideal person to tell this story is Aline Farrell with Correctional and Justice Services at “Greenfield House.” Greenfield is a “stepping stone” to the community for male and female inmates being released from prison.

Click on the play button below and hear her tell Dougie’s story.


-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Scotian Glen video

Another camping season is winding up at Scotian Glen, the Army’s children’s camp on the banks of the Sutherland River near New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

If you’ve never been to the camp or witnessed the tremendous influence it has on kids and others at-risk from across the Maritimes, take a couple minutes to watch this video.


-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on Scotian Glen Camp, visit:
Scotian Glen

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Feed the Need

The Army’s strategy is pretty simple. Reach out and make friends. Fill the gap that people can fall into, for whatever reason.

As someone new to the organization and this simple approach, I find it pretty refreshing.

Andrew and the kitchen team: June, Steve and Rob

Feed the need is another example of this philosophy in downtown Halifax at the Citadel Community Church. Every Monday evening since last October in the church basement you’ll find the Army’s Andrew Benson and the kitchen team reaching out and feeding those in need.

Bill was here. Although homeless, he’s got quite an entrepreneurial spirit, selling copies and contributing to “Street Feat”, Atlantic Canada’s first street newspaper http://www.streetfeat.ns.ca/ .

“The Salvation Army has always been there for me…goodness knows where I’d be without the Army,” Bill says. “My dad was a taxman in New York City. I always recall him telling me that when it came to integrity, the Salvation Army was the best.”

Bill: Thank you Salvation Army!

They may be homeless; they may be helpless…whatever the need. “We began with fewer than 10 people. Now the word’s getting out and we average 35 to 40. When Hope Cottage is closed, it could be double that,” Andrew says. “We’re here, building community…relationships and trust. Trying to enrich lives.”

It’s funny. I often get the feeling that there’s a whole lot of enriching going on—both ways. Look at the smiles on those faces of the kitchen team.

Tony, in the recovery program at the Booth Centre on Gottingen Street said it best. He was here this evening volunteering, waiting on tables. “Doing this is helping me more than it’s helping them,” says Tony.

As I left the building with a big grin on my face, I couldn’t resist feeling that way myself.

***

Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.
-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Breakfast at the Block

Some youngsters were really tugging hard on my heartstrings this morning.

I paid a visit to “500 block” on Herring Cove Road in Spryfield. There, I found The Salvation Army Community Response Unit (CRU), fondly referred to by some as the “ice cream truck”, parked, serving up breakfasts to residents.

Amongst the steady trickle of residents emerging from the buildings were a lot of kids. I was taken by how polite and bright they were.

Army volunteers: Linda, Audrey, George & Jean.

Isaiah and Uncle Wayne

“They’re just so sweet, you wanna hug the bunch”, says George, a full-time Army volunteer who regularly commandeers the CRU to Spryfield.

George and his team-mates are passionate about their mission. It’s really quite simple: just show up, make friends and connect with the kids, in particular. “If we can reach the kids, everything else will follow”, George said.

“Breakfast on the Block” is a community outreach initiative that the Army has undertaken. If the Army can introduce more positive influences into the community, then perhaps trust will be won and things can change for the better.

I’m still thinking of four-year-old Isaiah and his great-uncle Wayne. Isaiah: what a smile! They walked quite a ways down Herring Cove Road to collect a hot breakfast. Uncle Wayne was a little worn out—having picked blackberries in the bushes of their neighbourhood the previous day.

“Isaiah loves picking blackberries. It’s hard to keep up with him!” Wayne said.

I was privileged to meet both of them. They made by day today.

***

Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.
-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Sackville NS Corps transformation

The Sackville Nova Scotia Corps of the Salvation Army is into its third year of transformation by Captains Carson and Teresa Decker.

I was astonished to learn of the scope and depth of the Carsons’ impact so far…and I’m looking forward to sharing more stories, photos and video in the weeks ahead.

For example, their breakfast program at Harold T. Barrett Junior High has been a huge hit, filling a significant need for hungry stomachs.

The Decker Team: Kyley (2), Capt. Teresa, Capt. Carson, Makayla (5)

They’ve begun a “Pioneer Club” with about 40 girls and boys participating in fun activities and badge-work.

The Community Response Unit is making regular stops in the community of 62,000 while the Decker’s are also directing a “basic shelf” cooking support program. That’s where folks on a tight budget can get valuable cooking lessons to make those dollars go farther and feed the family better.

That’s just the tip of the proverbial ice burg regarding the Army’s exciting interaction with the Sackville Beaverbank Kinsac community. Stay tuned for much more as I continue my travels.

Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.
-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Rick's Story

It's been said that the organization that "can tell the best stories" can usually do very well in raising funds for it’s cause.

That's my mandate. To help the Army tell its' stories. Here's another one that I was privileged to get to know over the past several weeks.

Rick MacDonald tells his story about addiction recovery at the Booth Centre in Halifax. Click on the "play" button below the screen.

Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Major Brian Wheeler talks about the hope that camp provides

During our Camp Day visit to Scotian Glen last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Major Brian Wheeler and get his thoughts on video.

Click on the "play" button under the picture of Major Brian below, and hear his thoughts on the difference that five days can have for a kid, who otherwise would not have been able to attend camp without your Salvation Army support.

Camp Day

After hearing so much about Scotian Glen Camp, I finally had the opportunity to visit this week. Majors Brian and Valerie Wheeler hosted us along with a group of donors, suppliers and partners to the camp.

The first thing that strikes you is the exceptional beauty of the location.

(click on any photo to view the whole slide show)

Then you’re taken by the friendliness and the passion of all the camp staff. No doubt they draw their passion from their guest campers. And the realization that the five days their guests are with them may very well be the highlight of their entire year.

The guest campers this particular week are young kids, who, with all things considered, might come from an entirely different universe. Many come from rough neighbourhoods and challenging home environments which can’t afford to send them to a place like this.

Of course, that’s where the Army and its’ donors step in, taking care of all the details. From transportation to paying for their stay.

How can one week make a difference? You might be amazed. Major Brian says “it’s one week where they can truly let go, feel safe and have fun. You can see it in their eyes when they leave. There’s a twinkle that wasn’t there when they arrived.”

Major Brian says Scotian Glen Camp can be a life-altering experience for many kids. “I was in a tough part of town when a gruff-looking guy questioned what I was doing in their neighbourhood. When I explained I was with the Salvation Army his attitude and expression changed instantly. He couldn’t get the words out fast enough to recall how much fun he’d had, and the impact that camp had on him fifteen years before.”

“The bottom line is that Scotian Glen gives kids a sense of hope. That there truly is another world out there.”

It was a big day.

***
Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on Scotian Glen Camp, visit:
Scotian Glen

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Off to Scotian Glen Camp!

Hi there! Ron Zima here, from our Maritimes Division of the Salvation Army in Dartmouth. I’m very pleased to have assumed the role of Major Gifts Representative for the Maritimes Division as of July 4.

Part of my “modus operandi” will be going out and capturing heart-warming stories that are the essence of the Salvation Army across the Maritimes. For instance, Diane van der Horden and I were out to see the kids off on their adventure to Scotian Glen Camp this week.

Here's a just a few of the smiles that we witnessed. They were amazing.














Watch this space for more stories and pictures of my experiences with the Salvation Army. You can post your comments here as well---I look forward to seeing them.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on Scotian Glen Camp, visit:
Scotian Glen

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division