The Salvation Army’s Annual Civic Appreciation Dinner honored the organization’s board, introduced new board members, and recognized volunteers in the community with awards for the Christmas Bell Ringers.
Volunteers and board members were welcomed to the event Wednesday night by Major Michael Rodgers: “It is a great honor to work side-by-side with all of you as well as our great advisory board, majors, and staff members. We are appreciative of everything you do.”
New board members Barbara Haynes, Stephanie Shockley, Faith Ashby, Derek Slate, and Karen Springthorpe were recognized, followed by an introduction of officers, Chair Bill Inman, Vice Chair Barbara Haynes, Secretary Ellen Woltz, and Treasurer Pinky Shelton, who was unable to attend.
Inman recognized former Board Chair Emily Loftis and said she has been “a great board chair” and “a jewel.”
After the dinner at Cross Creek Country Club the crowd was entertained by North Surry High School’s Show Choir, The Greyhound Sounds, under the leadership of choral teacher and director Debby Severs Diamont. The choir performed a patriotic medley, followed by “The Gift to be Free” and a Disney song revue, featuring favorites such as “Be Our Guest,” “A Whole New World,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Under the Sea,” “Arabian Nights,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
Rodgers said the North Surry High School’s Show Choir also provided the entertainment last year, and said everyone enjoyed it so much they were invited back. The crowd gave the group a standing ovation for their performance, during which smiles and laughs could be heard from the delighted audience.
Christmas Bell Ringer Awards were given to first place winners Surry Shrine Club; second place to Boy Scout Troop 553 from Old Hickory Council; and third place to the Mount Airy Lions Club.
Salvation Army’s Advisory Board Members include Kitty Seivers, Paul Patterson, John Priddy, Steve Talley, Sharon Reid, James Kemp, Randy Stanley, Jon Cawley, Erika Forbes, Ashley Hinson, Earlene Epperson, Barbara Haynes, Stephanie Shockley, Faith Ashby, Derek Slate, and Karen Springthorpe.
Life members recognized were John Hamilton, Emily Smith, and Wanda McAlexander.
Salvation Army Employees (office and store) recognized were Marvin Collins, Christy Rippey, Randy Watson, Linda Adame, Betty Barr, John Marshall, Jennifer Stanley, Kevin Scheer, and Courtney Bryant.
Salvation Army volunteers recognized included A Cleaner World, Advanced Electric Services, Airmont Florist, American Legion, Antioch Baptist Church, Kate Appler, Big Lots #1296, Sheryl Bondurant, Hilda Bowen, Madison Boyer, Boy Scout Troop 553, Shasta Bode-Brown and family, Central United Methodist Church, Chick-fil-A of Mount Airy, Colonial Mayberry Mall, Nicholas Cooke, East Surry High School FBLA, Lynn Edwards, Epworth United Methodist Church, Fairview United Methodist Church, Mary and Tom Fawcett, and Lois Flippen.
Also, Frontier Natural Gas, Toys for Tots, Faye Gillespie, Isabella Gillespie, Girl Scout Troop 40423, Connie Glidewell, Grace Moravian Church, Morgan Greenwood, Frances Hill, Jessica Hoerter, Blair Holcomb, Lucille Horton, Dennis Kennedy, Becky Kessler, Mount Airy Lions Club, Lowes Foods, Frances Mahoney, Matthew 23:35, Peggy and Phil Marsh, McDonald’s of Elkin, Madge Miller, William Mills, Mount Airy City Schools, and Mount Airy High School.
In addition, Mount Airy Ministerial Association, Eva and Erica Martinez, Bobbie Martinez, Eileen Stevens, The Mount Airy News, Mount Airy Police Department, Martha Palmer, Pandowdy’s Restaurant, Gene and Peggy Rees, Mount Airy Rotary Club, East Surry Jr. ROTC, Solid Rock Baptist Church, Julie Stafford, Suzanne Stewart, Amanda Swartzel, Surry Shrine Club, Surry County Retired School Personnel, Surry County Sheriff’s Dept., Surry County Scools, Rick and Carole Vaughn, VFW Post 2019, Marquia Vanderbert, Walmart of Mount Airy, Walmart of Elkin, Debra Walker, Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, and WSYD.
Annual Report
The Salvation Army’s 2013 Annual Report was presented to those in attendance. Rodgers said their employees in the office and the family store are their “backbone for support” and 100 percent of all profits received go straight back to the community.
Salvation Army is a non-profit organization, an international movement, and an “evangelical part of the universal Christian church,” according to it’s mission statement. They operate year-round programs such as family stores, emergency disaster services and assistance, Christmas and seasonal assistance, a summer youth camp, and worship ministries.
Salvation Army served over 10,000 people locally last year. They distributed 1,179 grocery orders, 4,037 clothing items, 11,865 toys, and 4,746 gifts. They provided energy assistance to 181 individuals and sent 48 children to camp.
In total, Salvation Army received $326,001 in public direct contributions and $101,633 in donations in kind and contributed services. Indirect support included revenue from the family store in the amount of $288,391, in addition to federal allocations, grants, and other internal support.
After considering yearly expenses, such as staff compensation, professional fees, general expenses, payments, and costs of operating the family store, Salvation Army had an excess of $72,128 at the end of the year.
Reach Jessica Johnson at jessicajohnson@civitasmedia.com or 719-1933.
























