From a founding in England in 1852 to Custer County in 2001, the Salvation Army has a history of helping that spans nearly one and a half centuries. In the midst of their 24th year, the Custer County Salvation Army is inviting those in the county to attend their Monday meeting to learn more about the group and consider joining.
Chairman Julie Toline and Secretary Carol Allen said that helping others and improving life in Custer County through the Salvation Army motto “Doing the Most Good” is very gratifying.
“Especially people that suddenly find themselves in a predicament, where they don’t know what to do. They’ve lost something, they’ve had a fire. Those are really gratifying to me, that we can reach out and help them a little bit. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps I thin,” explained Toline.
Serving the county goes beyond red kettles during Christmas. Carol listed several ways the Salvation Army assists the entire county:
– Emergency assistance for victims of disasters and emergencies
– Medical assistance with dental, vision or prescription needs
– Support for food pantries in Custer County communities
– Support for Custer County school districts (book fairs, emergency clothing project)
– Back-to-school supplies for Custer County students
– Gifts for children and household supplies for families through Santa Cop
“When she mentions emergency needs, that can be fuel to go to a doctors appointment in a town farther away. It can be a night in a hotel for someone who is homeless or transient. It can be grocery cards, we give grocery cards out. So we have a lot of different things that we do kind of behind the scenes that I don’t think a lot of people know about,” added Toline.
The two said that the area’s group has about a dozen members right now and that they’d love to add members from across the area that want to help others and improve life in Custer County. There are no dues or other requirements to join the Salvation Army.
Monday’s meeting will start at 5:30 PM at the Broken Bow Public Library and double as a celebration of National Volunteer Month with coffee and cookies.
Listen to the full interview with Toline and Allen on KCNI Public Affairs here:
