Salvation Army hosts back-to-school giveaway

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 9/14/21

Free, new pajamas, bookbags, and supplies were all given away to children as The Salvation Army of Newburgh hosted Family Fun Day last Saturday.

The event also included free food for all, games …

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Salvation Army hosts back-to-school giveaway

Posted

Free, new pajamas, bookbags, and supplies were all given away to children as The Salvation Army of Newburgh hosted Family Fun Day last Saturday.

The event also included free food for all, games with prizes for the children, and music.
For Captain Kelly Ross, she is grateful for the opportunity to work with this community and the continued support shown.

“It’s been good. We’ve got to meet some people in the community, make some connections.

People have been so welcoming,” Ross said. “They’re excited to hear all that we’re doing and we’re just looking forward to continuing the work that we’re doing.”

With these events, the Rosses hope to continue to make new connections with each community member. The Salvation Army will also kick off its Sunday school program on Sunday, Sept. 12.

On this day, Sept.11, Captain Kelly took a moment to not only remember the events that took place but also the work that she did at Ground Zero. Captain Kelly went down to Ground Zero six months after the attacks and worked with the first responders doing recovery in a place she referred to as “The Pit”.

For Captain Kelly, she cannot believe it has been almost 20 years since that day. As a reminder of those terrible events, she keeps a hardhat that she had to wear with her that was signed by the first responders that she worked with all those years ago.

For the many volunteers and staff that come through the Salvation Army in Newburgh, seeing the fruits of their labor makes them hopeful for the greater Newburgh community.
For Eva Bartholomew, a volunteer and Salvation Army church member, she is happy for the community to come out and support the work the Salvation Army does.

“This event helps get out the word to the community that we’re here,” Bartholomew said.

“We support them. That we love them. Just let them know we care.”
Lillie Sartin, also a volunteer at the Salvation Army, says that there is nothing better than giving back. Even when she retired in 2016, she still volunteers and gives back to the community.

Salvation Army Corps Sergeant Major Lydia Mills is a 15 year Newburgh resident and has been a part of the Salvation Army all of her life. Working with the Rosses these past few months, the support and connections during the course of the pandemic will hopefully benefit the community.

Seeing the families that have come through today have helped create new relationships at the Salvation Army. Reflecting on this specific day and seeing the people come through, Mills hopes these interactions and services will impact them for years to come.

“One of the messages that the Salvation Army promotes is the message of love, it’s a message that God, God gives us,” Mills said. “God is love, so that’s the message that we really want to share with the people that we’re interacting with today.”

Mills encourages people to come and visit, call and be a part of the Salvation Army in Newburgh.