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Hot drink offered by The Salvation Army in 1948 Influences Olympic Decision

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vancouver-2010-olympics-logoWhen Anna Dean’s parents, Malcolm and Diana Dean, immigrated to Canada from England in 1948, they knew no one.

When they got off the ship at Pier 21 in Halifax with their two toddlers, Anna’s parents were offered hot drinks by The Salvation Army and asked if they needed shelter, clothes or food.
The family didn’t need additional help, but the act of kindness made a lasting impression. For many years, Anna (who was born later), and her three siblings heard the story over and over again.

Anna is now director of operations for Olympic Transportation for TransLink, the Greater Vancouver public transportation system. During the Olympics it is expected that waits at SkyTrain stations could reach up to an hour.

When the question arose what could be done for the people in those lineups, Anna immediately thought of The Salvation Army.

Close to 2,000 Salvation Army volunteers will be placed at up to 20 SkyTrain stations, as well as ‘departure hubs’ (where people catch buses to Whistler, for instance) and events locations. Volunteers will offer hot coffee, hot chocolate and cold water, and engage people in conversation.

If a couple of hot drinks offered to Anna’s parents had such an impact, imagine what millions of drinks can do.

 

3 Responses

  1. Thank you for allowing the TVC Youth from Hillsboro, OR USA be a part of this wonderful experience. They have been working hard earning money(literally to the last couple of days before leaving) and preparing to be in Canada for this great event. I know we can always count on The Salvation Army to be there in time of need.
    Praise be to the Lord, who makes all things possible.

  2. In my opinion the cost,including wages to the “volunteers”, should be paid by the VANOC and the commercial enterprises that are making money out of the event. The Olympics is essentially a commercial operation foisted upon a gullible public to extract money from their pockets, using the goodwill and enthusiasm as a vehicle for the operation. I have in the past volunteered for emergency operations for the Army – but this is different. The Army should have restricted its operation in the olympics to emergency situations only.

  3. My mother, a survivor of World War 2, told me that the Salvation Army would appear at the front lines to assist our allies & populations with things like a warm meal, clean & dry socks, etc. for free to those that asked for them. She told me many stories of the kindness and help that Salvation Army volunteers did during that period and I see that level of love & kindness still offered today. As a result, I have made countless donations to the “Sally-Anne” over the course of my life and will continue to do so, as will my sons.

    THANK YOU SALVATION ARMY, FOR DECADES OF KINDNESS AND FOR CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

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