The Christmas season accentuates the needs of many people and God’s provision for them. He calls upon millions of people to lend a hand in donating money and valuable items that we use to help others.

My gratitude today, and every day is to those who have given to others through the work of The Salvation Army. Every thing we have has been through the charity of others for others. Imagine organizing it all. God is doing miracles around us.

Thank you friends for your generosity. I can only say we are attempting to do the most good we possibly can with what we’ve been given.

We’d welcome the support of even more people as we go forward. Remember, the giving is to others through The Salvation Army. We do not accumulate wealth. We manage our resources with time tested systems and efforts that God uses to help others.

Thanks for being a part of The Salvation Army.

“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—” Psalm 103:1-2 NIV

I joined brass musicians from the Pasadena Corps with Barbara and Steve Allen in corporate devotions at the America’s Christian Credit Union in Glendora, California today. This is a fine institution with wonderful employees and corporate leaders. President and CEO Mendell Thompson graciously welcomed us along with board members Dr. Kevin Mannoia and Mr. Norm Sauvé. Glendora Mayor Doug Tessitor too was present to make the occasion even more interesting.

We believe The Salvation Army and ACCU have a missional future together. Our time today was a beautiful way to begin a relationship to the glory of God.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 NIV

SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Salvation Army of Southern California and ARAMARK, the global professional services company, today will celebrate the continuation of their four-year partnership by creating a dedicated education and workforce readiness space at the Salvation Army’s Santa Ana Community Center.

More than 100 ARAMARK volunteers will help transform an underutilized, rundown building into an inviting community facility where a variety of community, education and workforce programs will take place. Following the project, ARAMARK employees will continue to assist the center with programs such as English-As-A-Second-Language and workforce readiness classes. The relationship is part of ARAMARK Building Community (ABC), the company’s signature philanthropic and volunteer program, which enriches the lives of local families by strengthening local community centers.

“ARAMARK is helping us address the need for more job-related training and programming in this community by providing a center that is safe, welcoming and inviting, allowing us to expand our reach here as we revitalize our efforts,” said the Salvation Army’s Major Antonio Horta. “With the renovation of this center we will have something to celebrate within our community.”

Horta noted that a 2009 survey ranked the Santa Ana area as one of the nation’s toughest cities, with high rates of crime, poverty, unemployment and under-employment. The unemployment rate is over 10%, and many residents work in jobs that are only seasonal, and are struggling to support themselves and their families.

“We’re very proud of our ongoing relationship with the Salvation Army of Southern California. The ability to expand our involvement throughout the region, at places like the Santa Ana Community Center, allows us to support the communities that need us,” said Brad Drummond, President and Chief Operating Officer of ARAMARK Uniform Services in Burbank. “ARAMARK employees bring their energy and skills to this partnership, helping to build strong neighborhoods so families can succeed.”

ARAMARK support of the Salvation Army of Southern California has included the Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center – Peco Union Neighborhood in Los Angeles, Salvation Army Santa Fe Springs Transitional Living Center in Whittier and the Salvation Army Bell Shelter in Bell.

Next month, ARAMARK volunteers will help the Salvation Army of Southern California prepare and serve the annual Feast of Sharing Thanksgiving dinners for more than 2,000 people in need in the Los Angeles area. The ARAMARK Los Angeles Convention Center team will prepare the three-course dinner, which will be served by volunteers from ARAMARK, City Year, the Salvation Army and others. This is the fourth year in a row that ARAMARK and the Salvation Army have partnered for the event.

Through ARAMARK Building Community, the company develops long-term partnerships to improve facilities, prepare youth and adults for careers and connect them to the workforce, and encourage healthy lifestyles through health and wellness education and awareness. By the end of 2011, ARAMARK Building Community will be in more than 50 cities impacting more than 2.5 million individuals and families in the US and abroad. Visit ARAMARK Building Community on Facebook.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Although unable to be present, Yogi Berra has been awarded the Pinnacle Award for community service by The Salvation Army of Montclair, New Jersey. In a video response,he and his wife Carmen expressed their gratitude for this recognition and for The Salvation Army. Carmen said, “Montclair without TSA would be like America without Baseball.” to which Yogi added, “like the New York Yankees.”

It takes many people to come together to make TSA effective. Such a group of people, like the Berras exist in Montclair. God bless you each.

 Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.

East Africa is facing its worst drought in 60 years, affecting more than 11 million people. Refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia are receiving some 3,000 new refugees every day, as families flee from famine-stricken and war-torn areas. Officials warn that 800,000 children could die of malnutrition across the East African nations of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Kenya.

The Salvation Army, which has been working in the region since 1921, is using its local knowledge and personnel to a number of emergency relief projects in the affected communities including: food distribution in villages and schools for the next 3 months, water transportation to village areas that have no local supply as well as bore hole drilling and shallow well construction to ensure further water security.

Austin artist Curtis Jinkins has designed a shirt to help raise funding and awareness for those affected by the disaster. “Jeshi la Wokovu” is The Salvation Army in Swahili – a common language in the region.

100% of the profits will go toward The Salvation Army’s famine relief efforts in Eastern Africa.

Printed with waterbase discharge inks on a pre-shrunk super soft 100% ring-spun cotton, Anvil 980. Available in City Green & Smoke Grey

The shirt is available at www.tsa-wardrobe.com

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” Titus 2:2 NIV

Doughnuts were first provided to American soldiers stationed in France during World War I by the “doughnut lassies,” the Salvation Army’s volunteer corps of women.

National Doughnut Day was later established in 1938 by the Salvation Army to commemorate the service of the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during war times, as well as to help the needy during the Great Depression. Celebrated annually on the first Friday in June each year, National Doughnut Day is a reminder of the services that the Salvation Army provides.

“The Salvation Army serves nearly 70 million meals to those in need each year so there’s no better way to highlight our work than by celebrating a great American food,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “So, while everyone enjoys a doughnut on Friday, we hope they’ll also think about giving back to those less fortunate.”

“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 NIV