Salvation Army Volunteer Honoured by Parry Sound Mayor

For 28 years Salvation Army volunteer Dennis Miner has given hope and help to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Parry Sound’s downtown core. “I don’t do it out of duty,” says the 75-year-old. “I do it out of love.”

On January 8, 2017, the Mayor of Parry Sound, Jamie McGarvey, presented Miner with the “Order of Parry Sound,” saying that Miner represents the meaning of commitment, dedication and caring.

“Dennis has been a member of The Salvation Army since 1975 and has been playing a vital and active role of volunteering in many programs,” says Mayor McGarvey. “I know Friday nights for sure, he is downtown helping out.”

On any given Friday night you’ll find Miner and The Salvation Army’s outreach van, a refurbished RV, parked downtown in the middle of Main Street. Miner feeds children as young as age six who haven’t eaten all day, offers a place of warmth and a listening ear to troubled teens.

“As I get older I want to keep active. Volunteering lets me do that and at the same time I can make a difference in the community.

“My Friday nights are always spent serving people on the streets and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For more information on volunteering with The Salvation Army, click here.