For 14 years, Renee* served our country in the US Air Force. Upon honorable discharge, Renee took a civilian job, had an apartment and led what appeared to be a normal life. For Renee, a storm was brewing. She developed a fear she couldn’t handle on her own, a mounting, severe paranoia of being around people. Her mental health deteriorated to the point where Renee couldn’t leave her apartment. Consequently, she lost her job and her savings dwindled to a point where she couldn’t pay her rent and was evicted. This living storm rained down on Renee for a full year. Renee was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was hospitalized for a month. She received medication and began to recover, but she had nowhere to go. She had no job, no money, not even legal identification. The hospital contacted The Salvation Army, and there Renee found shelter from the storm. The Salvation Army gave Renee structure and stability. They gave her clothes, food and a bed. They helped her apply and receive legal identification, helped her with a resume and helped her find employment. While still a resident, Renee is now saving money for her own place. “It’s much more than just a homeless shelter, it’s hope for the hopeless, dignity for the homeless. I live here, I don’t feel homeless.”

A Light in Dark Times

When Maria’s world turned upside down, The Salvation Army was there to keep her lights on—both literally and figuratively. As a hardworking single mother, Maria had always managed to make ends meet for herself and her young son, Jacob. But when Jacob developed a serious illness requiring hospitalization, everything changed. Maria faced an impossible choice: stay by her son’s hospital bedside or go to work to pay the mounting bills. No mother should have to choose between being with their sick child and keeping the lights on. Maria knew where she needed to be—with Jacob during this critical time. Day after day, Maria remained at the hospital, holding Jacob’s hand through treatments and sleeping in an uncomfortable chair by his bed. While her son slowly improved, Maria’s financial situation rapidly deteriorated. With no income coming in, her electric bill went unpaid. That’s when your generosity made all the difference. Thanks to supporters like you, The Salvation Army provided emergency utility assistance, ensuring that when Jacob finally came home, he would return to a house with electricity, heat and the comforts needed for his continued recovery. This assistance wasn’t just about paying a bill. It provided Maria peace of mind during the hardest time of her life. It allowed her to focus completely on her son when he needed her most. Today, with Jacob healthy and Maria back at work, she remembers the community’s kindness with gratitude. Your donations illuminate lives like Maria’s during their darkest hours.

A Sustainable Solution

Thanks to your generous donations, The Salvation Army was able to help Julie, a hardworking single mother, overcome a challenging situation and build a brighter future for her family. Julie was working full-time at a call center when her daughter caught a bad cold, forcing Julie to take time off work. This unexpected setback left her unable to cover all her expenses for the month. Desperate for help, Julie turned to The Salvation Army – where she found the helping hand she and her daughter needed. Despite missing her initial appointment due to work commitments, our dedicated caseworker went above and beyond to meet with Julie after hours. During their meeting, Julie learned about a life-changing Salvation Army program that offers not just immediate assistance, but also long-term guidance to prevent future crises. She received emergency financial assistance to cover her expenses, long-term guidance and mentorship, and resources to go back to school and secure a better job. Today, Julie is thriving. She has regained stability and is building a better life for herself and her daughter. Her hope has been renewed, and her life reborn – all thanks to your generosity. We hear stories like Julie’s every day. Behind each story is a person whose life has been transformed by your generosity. While you may never meet the people you help, please know that your gifts are making a real, tangible difference in countless lives across our community.

Fighting For Our Neighbors

The Johnsons are just like any other family. Natasha and Derrick are happily married and loving parents to their three wonderful children. But, when a crisis unexpectedly hit their family and left them without a home, Natasha and Derrick felt everything come crashing down. It all started when the family was forced to live in a hotel after their landlord abruptly sold their rental home. Derrick had recently been let go from his job, so their funds quickly ran out. Not knowing where to turn, the Johnsons reached out to us for assistance. The Salvation Army immediately took them into their care and provided them with a furnished space of their own. They stayed in The Salvation Army shelter for three months before they felt financially secure enough to find their own place. Unfortunately, other landlords turned them away because their previous landlord wrongfully left them with an eviction on their record. The Salvation Army refused to let the Johnsons go without a home, so they contacted property after property until we found a gracious landlord who believed in second chances. “They fought for us,” Natasha recalls. “They would put in just as much work as we put in. It’s really amazing to see that these people actually care.” Today, the Johnsons are back on their feet in their new home. The kids are happy, Derrick found employment and Natasha enjoys her job at a nursing home while working to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Volunteer Transforms Life with Salvation Army Program Help

“Just a broken man, you know, and I decided to come to The Salvation Army and give myself a chance of getting my life together,” said volunteer Franklin Norwood Norwood has faced many setbacks in life. After volunteering at The Salvation Army for five months, he’s proud of what he’s been able to accomplish. “They have a transitional program, which I got in December. you know, during Christmas. I’m in transitional housing where I’m waiting to get my apartment now. That’s something that I’ve been working on a long time,” Norwood said. Norwood has been part of many programs The Salvation Army provides, such as Bible study on Wednesdays, church on Sundays, The Angel Tree, and Red Kettle donations, which are helping him improve his future. “They try to make me do the things that I need to do to be the person that I’m supposed to be, doing the most good, and they do the most good,” Norwood said. In the past 5 months, Norwood says he has been mentally strong thanks to The Salvation Army’s solid foundation. “Well, I define myself as a better person, a better father, a better brother, a better friend, you know. Once upon a time, I couldn’t put myself in that category. But I think without The Salvation Army, I probably wouldn’t be the person I am today,” Norwood said. “So being a part of ringing the bell, or being a part of helping with the angel tree, or seeing people walk up there and donate whatever they have to offer, even if it’s just your time.”

Jean and Andrew have always had hearts for giving. Like so many of our passionate supporters, the couple knew that when they were financially able, they would use their blessings to do good. So when it came time for them to decide how they would give, they consulted their tax adviser, and she recommended that they consider establishing a Donor- Advised Fund. She informed them how they could bundle their charitable giving to offset their standard deduction. They also learned that they could donate highly appreciated or complex assets to offset capital gains taxes and provide more charitable giving. One of the greatest influences on their decision to establish a Donor-Advised Fund was the knowledge that someday, they could designate their children as advisors of their fund. By doing so, Jean and Andrew felt that they could create a legacy of giving in their family. “The Salvation Army has been a part of our lives for more than thirty years,” says Jean. Once their Donor-Advised Fund was established, Jean and Andrew knew their opportunity to change lives had only just begun. By making grant recommendations to The Salvation Army, the couple knew they were making a difference in a big way. “This impact for us is twofold,” says Andrew. Not only do they receive substantial tax benefits from contributing to their fund, but they also feel good knowing that every grant made changes lives.

When You Really Need Help, They Are There

What touched Celia and Bob the most about The Salvation Army was the fact that they never turn anyone away. “No matter how down and out you are, The Salvation Army will tide you over, give you shelter, give you food, and help you get back on your feet.” As the couple neared retirement, Bob made good use of their income. He not only met their immediate needs, but also funded charitable gift annuities with The Salvation Army. The dignity with which the Army treats people was an important factor in their charitable giving decision. They felt good knowing that they would be helping future generations. “It’s a win-win,” says Celia. “If you decide that you want a charitable gift annuity as a way to save money, to provide for your own retirement — or if you want to use it as a way to do good, constructive things out in the community, to help people who are truly in need — you can have it all.” After Bob died, Celia wanted to be sure she took care of all the provisions he had made. The Salvation Army helped her with a plan that would provide for her, her daughter, the Army, and her community. “You can buy small gift annuities, and ours were not huge amounts, but we did it every year. And by the time you collect three or four, that makes a very nice increase to your retirement income.”

Mutually Impactful Gifts

As they were approaching retirement, Lucille and Paul were considering their options. They wanted to be able to fund their own retirement income and leave behind enough to support their grandchildren. Lucille also wanted to arrange a planned gift to The Salvation Army. She had volunteered for years, helping those in her community facing hardship. She especially liked The Army because she appreciated our work supporting children in need. And so, Lucille and Paul met with The Salvation Army to establish a planned gift. They were able to establish a trust, which they would fund through a variety of their assets, including appreciated property. The value of this trust grows tax-free. In their retirement, the couple would receive payments from the trust, and their grandchildren would receive payments after their passing. Then, after 20 years, the remainder of the trust would go to The Salvation Army, which will use the funds for our programs and services. “God will use this in mighty ways and make you feel like you’ve done something worthwhile.” – Lucille Planned gifts like this are mutually impactful, benefiting the retirees, their beneficiaries and The Salvation Army. They allow generous friends like you to invest in future programs to support a new generation.

Share the joy of legacy gifts — how they came to be and what their impact means for the future.