The Salvation Army: Doing the Most Good ™.

  Over 200 people attended Thursday evening’s first Annual Dinner for the Northeast Region of The Salvation Army, held at Ladore Lodge and Conference Center in Waymart.

WNEP TV’s Mike Stevens, known for his folksy travels down “the Pennsylvania Road,” was the Master of Ceremony. He introduced Commissioner Carol Bassett, former President of Women’s Ministries, who shared their mission statement: “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. It’s message is based on the Bible. It’s ministry is motivated by the love of God. It’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

 The dinner’s theme focused on Ladore and the numerous services offered by the Service Extension Department. “This is our 40th year of providing services to children in the eastern, Pennsylvania/ Delaware Region. Two thousand children come to camp Ladore each year. We have three priorities: We want them to be safe, to have fun, and to know God,” said Major Thomas Lyle.

Jon Walters, Service Extension, explained, “Service Extension is exactly that. It’s the extension of Salvation Army Service in areas where there is not a Salvation Army facility. The Service Extension in the Pendel Division covers 33 counties and 167 service units. The total number of people that this department helped last year was 54 thousand people. The total amount of money we spent to provide assistance to those 54 thousand people was $653,000. God is good.

“Wayne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Pike County, which are the four counties that surround Ladore — The Salvation Army Service Extension was able to provide emergency and crisis assistance to over five thousand people (for a total of $75 thousand) ...Our emergency assistance program is available because of donor support which comes through the kettle effort (Red Kettle Campaign around the holidays) and ...mail appeal.” 

The Service Extension department is also responsible for Emergency Disaster Services. Walters says they have about 500 people trained in emergency disaster, thanks to the efforts of Director Bob Myers and his department. “So, God has been good to the Service Extension Department. We owe it all to the over 500 volunteers who serve with us, to do things for other people. Neighbors helping neighbors, in God’s name. And we appreciate all that you do for us,” he said. 

Mrs. Mickey Mosher spoke about the Ladore Conference Center and all that it offers. “This building has been here almost 32 years. Somebody told me it’s the best kept secret in the whole wide world. We want to get that secret out to you. We want other people to realize what happens here.” Mrs. Mosher says they host and hold a number of events, including retreats and conferences, with youth groups, scouts and more using the facilities. They handle banquets and weddings, retirement dinners, and family reunions, Mrs. Mosher said. “We are a 24/7 facility. I love the idea that we never turn the lights out, because that means we have people in the building. And that’s something that we’re all looking forward to.”

Guest speaker, Commissioner W. Todd Bassett, retired National Commander of The Salvation Army, who shared his thoughts at length, quoted General Evangeline Booth. “In 1915, the very first woman General of  The Salvation Army, General Evangeline Booth said these words, ‘There is no greater reward than that of doing the most good for the most people with the most need.’” 

Commissioner Bassett also shared the message and the meaning behind their slogan, “Doing the Most Good: I am doing the most good. I am hope. I am compassion. I am strength. I am faith. I am doing the most good. I serve a community. A region. A nation. A world. I serve heroes. I serve victims. I serve a sovereign God. I am doing the most good. I am an Army. Drafted by the Creator. Commissioned by a man who defied death. My enemies are despair and destruction. My ammunition is grace and mercy. My allies are generosity and benevolence. I am an Army. Helping others be all they can be. I am doing the most good. I feed empty stomachs and hungry souls. I rebuild ruined homes and shattered lives. I am a willing listener for a veteran with stories to tell. I am a bottled water and an encouraging smile for a weary firefighter. I am an answered prayer. A silver lining. A second chance.

“I am doing the most good. I am a humble steward of other people’s generosity. I am a grateful courier of a stranger’s kindness. I am the faithful executor of others’ goodwill. I take my responsibility seriously. I am blessed. I am a blessing.  I am The Salvation Army. I am doing the most good.”    

Salvation Army thanks community
The Salvation Army honored the following individuals and companies for their time, talent and service:
• Andy Notchik received a Special Community Award for volunteering with the Salvation Army for over 10 years; 8 of those years as Kettle Coordinator. Involved in many programs, Andy was one of the first volunteers to assist with the SCI Christmas Toy program where the Salvation Army provides toys for inmates to select for their children.

In his acceptance speech, Notchik said that the award, “doesn’t just belong to me. It belongs to my departed wife, who I lost in January. She had put in many hours with this program, working with me, side by side.” 

• Lucille Smith-Carver received a special award for having a heart for The Salvation Army, “giving of her love and generosity.”

 “She’s made contributions over the years that have made it possible to do many of the reservations in this very building (the Lodge),” said Lt. Colonel William Carlson, Divisional Commander. “She very often says, ‘The more I give, the more the Lord gives back to me.’ She’s been a true example of, ‘Heart to God, and Hand to Man.’”

• Jack Osborne received an award for his dedicated spirit over the years, for doing, “those things that need that special touch, sometimes planting small trees; building and caring for the bird houses on the lake, for our wildlife. Unknown to so many people, this gentleman moves quietly around our property, helping where needed,” Lt. Colonel Carlson said. In his acceptance speech, Osborne said, “I would also say, I met one person here that I really think a lot of, Major Mickey Mosher.”

• Dr. Gary Latimer was also recognized for his dedicated spirit, as a very active volunteer for the Service Extension Department in Wayne County.  “His compassion for people and his desire to help those in need, has been an outstanding example of one reaching out to help others. His most recent contribution is the donation of a brand new office in Carbondale. This office will allow Salvation Army Service Unit volunteers to meet with local residents in emergency and crisis situations needing the services of The Salvation Army,” Lt. Colonel Carlson said.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Latimer said, “I just want to thank God, especially, for letting us help out in this small way.”     

 
• Business Awards were presented to the following, for, “getting the message out of the services and programs of The Salvation Army: Adams Cable TV, ION-TV, WNEP-TV, Blue Ridge Cable TV-13, Wal-Mart, and The Wayne Independent.

• Red Shield Sponsorship:
Gold Sponsors— Hickory Street United Presbyterian Church, Grimm Construction Co., and Pioneer Construction Co.
Silver Sponsor— WAYCO, Inc.
Bronze Sponsors— Burke Financial, Reverend D. Paul Williamson, and Fred Slifer.

• The following Ladore Lodge Volunteers were recognized for their support and dedicated spirit: Clyde Bunting, Ed Dockalovich, Ray Zelna, and Werner Korteling.