Honoring Our Volunteers

On August 11, The Salvation Army honored its volunteers with an ice cream social, live music and door prizes. The event, which was held at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in West Knoxville, served as a party with a purpose. Volunteers were asked to bring school supplies to help children in need get a head start on the upcoming school year. 

“Volunteers are so vital to our ministry that we often call them the army behind the Army,” explained Knoxville Area Commander, Major Don Vick.  “They truly are the foundation of our mission and this event is just a small token of our appreciation for everything they do for our community.”

The event honored the thousands of individuals who donated nearly 20,000 hours of time to The Salvation Army last year. However, it was a select few who were recognized for their overwhelming support and dedication to The Salvation Army. The awards this year included the Mary Shafer Award for Outstanding Service to The Salvation Army in honor of the late Mary Shafer, wife of Salvation Army Board Member Emeritus Bo Shafer and a long-time supporter of the organization. This award was given to Kristi Lynch who has donated her time and artistic ability to the mural in The Salvation Army’s Community Garden which was valued at $8,000.

“I just try to share the talent God’s blessed me with to hopefully make a difference,” said Lynch.  It’s been an honor to work with The Salvation Army and I would do it again!”

Also recognized were First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis of Maryville, Northside Kiwanis and Stephen Shubiak for 60 hours each of bell ringing during the 2010 Red Kettle Campaign. There were several groups who each adopted 100 Angels during the 2010 Angel Tree Campaign. These groups were: Cooper Realty Investments, The Hobby Williams Salon, St. John’s Cathedral, Morning Star Child Development and Pilot Flying J. Finally, The Girl Scouts of the Beaver Creek Service Unit were recognized for filling 700 stockings during the 2010 campaign.