Story Courtesy of News Talk 980 CJME:

The Regina Food Bank was a beehive of activity on Saturday morning as more than 48-hundred presents were wrapped in just over three hours at the 43^rd annual Santa’s Anonymous.

The annual toy drive is a partnership between CJME, The Salvation Army and the Regina and District Food Bank with a goal to make sure families who struggle to make ends meet can give their kids a real Christmas.

Val Wiks with the Salvation Army says this year close to 1000 families came in asking for help at The Salvation Army Haven of Hope Community Ministries.

As usual the people of Regina responded by donating hundreds of new, un-wrapped toys. This year Wiks says they even have a great selection for the toughest age groups including babies and kids around the age of 12.

For Wiks, wrap day is always a special event because so many people turn up to help, many families have even made it a Christmas tradition – coming back year after year.

Many at the “Wrap Day” were gift-wrapping veterans, like Roxanne Brown who has been coming with her family for 16 years running.

“I used to say as long as the kids want to come, but the kids nag me now they say what time and when – it’s a tradition for us,” she said.

Steve Compton with the food bank says he is floored by seeing the generosity of people in Regina year after year.

“You think that there might be a year that with tight economic times and pinch in the pocketbook kind of thing – that maybe there’s a year that there isn’t enough toys for the kids, but this community has always responded and we feel very fortunate,” he commented.

This year Santa’s Anonymous is providing presents for close to 1600 kids in Regina.

Click the link to see photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.420684161337278.99514.149645101774520&type=3

Winnipeg, MB – QX 104 FM and Virgin Radio 103.1 FM present in partnership with Herzing College ‘One Big Day for Christmas’ in support of Siloam Mission and The Salvation Army.  For some in our city, Christmas is a difficult time with personal resources stretched beyond their limits just trying to provide the basic essentials of life. For many, they turn to Siloam Mission and The Salvation Army for help and assistance to make their Christmas dreams come true.

“To give someone the gift of Christmas is an honour. I just want the best for people, and to be able to help make Christmas a little brighter and warmer for those who need us is an awesome feeling,” says Virgin Radio 103.1 FM’s Ace Burpee.

On Friday, December 14 from 6 am until 11 pm, QX 104 FM and Virgin Radio 103.1 FM will be collecting new and unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items and cash donations as they broadcast live from centre court at Polo Park Shopping Centre.  Special entertainment will be provided by FLO, 5TimesFun, Don Amero and others throughout the day.  Also every donation will earn a ballot to win tickets to Eric Church on February 21 at MTS Centre, Rihanna on March 25 at MTS Centre, and the SOLD OUT Taylor Swift show on June 22 at Investors Group Field.  Supporters will also have the opportunity to win 1 of 2 IKEA living room sets that will be used from the broadcast.

“For most of us there’s no place we’d rather be for Christmas than home. But if you don’t have a home, Christmas can be a very bleak time,” says Floyd Perras, executive director of Siloam Mission. “We’re so grateful for all the generous Manitobans who will join us for this event to make sure that this Christmas, homeless in Winnipeg does not mean hopeless.”

“No dream is too small when you are in need,” says Captain Les Marshall of The Salvation Army Prairie Division, “Year after year prairie people lead the charge across Canada in helping their neighbours. It is because of this generous support The Salvation Army is able to help make dreams come true during the Christmas season.”

All donations received during ‘One Big Day for Christmas’ will go directly to help Siloam Mission and The Salvation Army meet the needs of those they serve this Christmas.

Visit QX 104 or Virgin Radio 103.1 FM for more information.

Visit our Facebook page for photos from the event.

Winnipeg, MB – Can you imagine a Christmas without any cheer?  Having your dreams of sugar plums, stuffed stockings and toys under the Christmas tree shattered by the reality that Santa didn’t come to your house?  Neither can we and this is why 102.3 CLEAR FM and 92 CITI FM in partnership with Scotiabank present the 2012 Toy Mountain campaign in support of The Salvation Army.  This year we have set a goal for 15,000 toys for 15,000 kids.

“It is a sad fact of life that, for some children in Winnipeg, there may not be a visit from Santa Claus.  This is something we don’t believe should happen to any child,” explains Captain Les Marshall, Public Relations, The Salvation Army Prairie Division, “With our friends from 102.3 CLEAR FM, 92 CITI FM and Scotiabank we are building a Toy Mountain to ensure each child’s Christmas dream can come true because no dream is too small when you are in need.”

From December 6th – 8th, 102.3 CLEAR FM and 92 CITI FM will be broadcasting live from Centre Court at Polo Park.  We would like to invite all the wonderful people of Winnipeg and the surrounding area to drop by with a new unwrapped toy and cash donation in support of this amazing campaign.  Meet the great personalities you hear on the radio every day and be a key part in helping ensure each child has a special Christmas this year.

Toys and cash donations are also being collected at any Scotiabank location, Winnipeg Fire Hall, or Salvation Army location.

Donate to the 102.3 CLEAR FM and 92 CITI FM Toy Mountain Kettle.

All funds raised from the Toy Mountain campaign will go directly to the Salvation Army. In 2011, Winnipegger’s donated over $300,000 in toys and cash to the Toy Mountain campaign for the Salvation Army to distribute to those in need.

Families in Winnipeg needing assistance from Toy Mountain should call (204) 946-9490 to register.

View photos from 102.3 CLEAR FM and 92 CITI FM live broadcasts on our Facebook page.

Regina, SK - Saskatchewan’s only hospice, The Salvation Army’s Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, welcomed a young man that is making the ride of his life in an effort to raise awareness for the hospice movement across Canada.

21 year old Sean Jacklin is riding his bicycle coast to coast as part of the “Cycle of Life Tour”.

His 7500 kilometre journey started June 5^th in his hometown of Victoria, BC and will end in September in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Along the way he visited the Regina Wascana Grace Hospice which hosted a BBQ in recognition of Sean’s ride.

“Jacklin began this tour to heighten the awareness of Hospice services in Canada, and he certainly has done so in our community,” says Ivy Scobie, Executive Director of Regina Wascana Grace Hospice. “We had the opportunity to meet a young man with determination and an advocate for Hospice. We thank him for not only heightening the awareness of the services but also for taking the time to meet with families and staff along the way.  This is a great recognition to those we serve and those who provide the service.”

Jacklin is taking on and extending the Cycle of Life Tour from his friend Graham Robertson, who rode 3,632 kilometres from Anchorage, Alaska, to Victoria in the first version of the event last year which raised $13,000 dollars for the Victoria Hospice.

It wasn’t until Jacklin had committed to the ride that he discovered a personal connection. “My mom said, ‘You know, your Grandma Carey spent the last three weeks of her life in the Comox hospice.” Comox is three hours north of Victoria.

“End-of-life care isn’t something you think about when you’re 21, strong and nothing hurts when you get up in the morning,” says Jacklin. “But now I realize it’s a very important program that flies under the radar and that’s what I’m hoping to change”

Along the way, he’s also accepting donations for hospices across Canada, including the Victoria Hospice. “This is an important piece because many hospices in Canada need donations to operate. In Victoria’s case, only half of its operating costs are covered by the health-care system. The rest come through donations, mostly through estates or at the request of families who have had a loved one die in the organization’s care.”

Jacklin has received plenty of positive feedback on his trek, including here on the prairies.  “The support has been overwhelming. Having someone come up to you in tears, hold your hand, and say you’re doing a wonderful thing is the most rewarding feeling.”

Jacklin stresses that the end goal is to raise funds, but the key by-product is the awareness of it all. “This subject should not be so taboo, it has touched and affected a high number of people, and it needs to be recognized. In Canada, 70% of all people who die from some form of terminal disease spend time in a hospice.”

Jacklin has faced many elements along the way and expects many more; however, he won’t give up.  “To ride solo, unassisted, across Canada is a definite challenge that has me pushing the limits, but it’s more difficult to imagine someone spending the last weeks of their life without someone helping and comforting them.”

You can follow Sean’s Cycle of Life Tour at www.cycleoflifetour.ca

Did you know The Regina Wascana Grace Hospice is owned and operated by The Salvation Army? It offers specialized and professional attention to residents who are at the final stages of life, in a comfortable residential setting and in a manner that also is considerate of the needs of family members.

Regina, SK - As a 100% charity, Salvation Army Thrift Stores exist to generate funds to support programs and services offered by The Salvation Army to our communities most vulnerable citizens.

That is why The Salvation Army is proud to announce the opening of a new thrift store in Regina.

Located at 1711 Dewdney Ave East, in the Glencairn neighbourhood, it becomes the second Salvation Army Thrift Store to serve Regina (the other is located on 836 Albert Street) and the largest in Western Canada.

Politicians, customers and staff were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 16th and a barbeque.

“The Salvation Army Thrift Store prides itself in our role, to both generate funds to help The Salvation Army achieve its mission, and to influence positively the communities in which we operate,” says new store manager Peter Kampe.

Kampe was encouraged to join The Salvation Army after he was helped by the charity in Maple Creek.

“Last summer, my wife and I were travelling to Calgary when we struck a deer on the Trans-Canada Highway near Maple Creek. Our van burst into flames. A Salvation Army officer from the small community was kind enough to drive us nearly two hours to Swift Current and find us accommodations. It meant the world to us.”

If you would like to learn more about Salvation Army Thrift Stores in or near your community visit www.thriftstore.ca

You can also see photos on the Prairie Division facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TSA.Prairie

Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison addressing the crowd

Saskatoon, SK – The Salvation Army celebrated the grand re-opening of the new Bethany Home – a residence for young women to find safety and solace, a place to find hope and dignity. 

The facility offers room and board, educational support, life-skills while learning about community resources, goal setting, training, anger management counseling, and so much more. 

This new modern day facility is located at 203 Cruise Street in a family oriented, quiet, residential neighbourhood in Eastern Saskatoon.  

“Hope and dignity, safety and acceptance, support and care are all things that we as The Salvation Army Bethany Home strive to provide to the young women who come through our doors,” says Community Services Executive Director Major Malba Holliday. “This new facility gives us the opportunity to continue this work for young women in our community who are trying to better their lives.” 

Holliday also states, “currently the Bethany Home is housing 10 young women between the ages of 13-to-18, each with their own room and shared common areas. Staff are in attendance 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Employees are trained to ensure safety for clients and help them take the next steps toward secure, safe and stable housing.”

See more photo’s of the event on our facebook page: The Salvation Army Prairie Division

Story courtesy “The Saskatoon Star Phoenix”:

A lineup forms as soon as the Salvation Army truck pulls into Dr. Seager Weeler Park on the city’s west side. Sheila Goojha gets out and begins handing out brown bag lunches to the assembled children.

“Hi, do you want ham and cheese, tuna fish or peanut butter and jam?” asks Goojha, who receives a hug from two small girls. It’s a question she’s repeated several thousand times this summer as co-ordinator of the Salvation Army’s “Food on the Move” program, sponsored by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.

The Salvation Army introduced the program last summer, when it realized the need to feed those children who receive school lunches throughout the school year. PotashCorp donated $15,000 last summer and $20,000 this year as the program expanded.

“There are a lot of children going without in the summer months,” said Les Marshall, public relations director with the Salvation Army. “Sometimes the feeling is that people have always got to come to us for help, but the reality is we can also go to people and find out where their needs are in their own homes and their own backyards.”

The spots, running until late November on Harvard Broadcasting, focus on some of the hard hitting issues that the Salvation Army deals with each and every day as we give hope and support to vulnerable and sometimes overlooked people in our community.

Here is a glimpse of what you will hear (click on the links below):

Salvation Army (Flooding H01)      Salvation Army (Bob H02)

In the months ahead you will hear Bob’s continuing story as he re-builds his life and gets back on his feet.

Stay tuned by visiting this website or check us out on facebook by searching for ”Salvation Army Prairie Division”

Senior Pastor Mike Horton (Estevan Church of God), presenting Major Len Millar with a cheque for $ 8,575.91 - the proceeds from a benefit concert by the Liberty Quartet, to assist those most affected by the flooding of the Souris River, in the Estevan area of SE Saskatchewan

With flood levels in South Eastern Saskatchewan at a critical stage The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response team is supporting efforts.

In Estevan, workers are helping feed roughly 150 evacuees at the Community Leisure Centre. That includes three meals per day. And in Weyburn, the team has dispatched the Community Response Vehicle (CRV) from Regina and is helping feed and hydrate volunteers responding to the flooding.

The Salvation Army is also providing some form of spiritual & emotional care for victims devastated by the flooding.

Anyone wishing to financially support the efforts of The Salvation Army may do so online at www.salvationarmy.ca/floods2011 or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

If you’re interested in volunteering contact the local Salvation Army Units in Weyburn and/or Estevan.