Charlestown, Nevis; 14 November 2017 -- The Mission of The Salvation Army International is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army International website states that The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. The Army’s doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its Articles of Faith emphasise God’s saving purposes. Its objects are ‘the advancement of the Christian religion… “of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.” (Salvation Army Act 1980)
The Salvation Army Movement, founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London, England, to many countries in the world.
The rapid deployment of the first Salvationists was aided by the adoption of a quasi-military command structure in 1878 when the title, ‘The Salvation Army’, was brought into use. A similarly practical organisation today enables resources to be equally flexible. Responding to a recurrent theme in Christianity which sees the Church engaged in spiritual warfare, the Army has used to advantage certain soldierly features such as uniforms, flags and ranks to identify, inspire and regulate its endeavours.
Raised to evangelise, the Army spontaneously embarked on schemes for the social betterment of the poor. Such concerns have since developed, wherever the Army operates, in practical, skilled and cost-effective ways. Evolving social services meet endemic needs and specific crises worldwide.
The bell ringing season of The Salvation Army worldwide starts each November and runs through to Christmas Eve, when the red kettles/cans/boxes are packed away for the season. Volunteers are usually the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour in the United States – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries, or shelter an individual for a night.
When one volunteers to bell ring or to give at a red kettle/box/can, one helps to improve, and even save lives. The money dropped in a kettle goes right back into the local community.
Every day of the year The Salvation Army worldwide provides basic needs, housing, youth services, rehabilitation, and counseling and spiritual care to people in the communities that the Army serves. The Salvation Army is also often the first to arrive and the last to leave during times of disaster or crisis which is evident right now with the work that is still being done by the Army in the Caribbean islands seriously affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria recently.
The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis is part of The Salvation Army Antigua Division which covers Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis and Sint Maarten. The Antigua Division is still providing hot meals for Barbudans through one evacuation centre housing fifty (50) people and weekly food parcels to another one hundred and fifty (150) families who are staying with host families in Antigua for the time being. After Hurricane Irma hit Sint Maarten, The Salvation Army hosted thirty five (35) persons at the corps for three (3) days and another forty five (45) when the warning came that Hurricane Maria was imminent. Currently it is supplying food parcels to five hundred and seventy five (575) persons in three (3) communities. Assessments are also being conducted in Sint Maarten and plans are under way to build houses for several persons.
Work is being done by the Barbados Division (which covers Barbados and St. Lucia) in Dominica for the persons affected by Hurricane Maria. One hundred and fifty (150) persons are provided with a daily hot meal and food parcels are distributed to one hundred and forty (140) families. The Bahamas Division (which covers Bahamas and Turks & Caicus Islands) has been feeding persons in Turks & Caicos Islands as well as being heavily involved in the distribution of relief supplies. For the first couple of weeks after Irma hit, The Salvation Army provided fifteen thousand (15,000) meals in Turks and Caicos and two hundred (200) meals per day in the Bahamas.
Following the shooting at a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas, USA, in which twenty six (26) persons were killed, The Salvation Army despatched officers and staff from nearby San Antonio. The team was able to provide much-needed practical, emotional and spiritual support to the community, which was rocked by the sudden and violent loss of life.
A Salvation Army emergency canteen was on site at the First Baptist Church within hours of the shooting. Texas Divisional Commander Lieut-Colonel Ronnie Raymer explains: “Initially we met with family members and local leaders and pastors to help provide support and to comfort those waiting for word of their loved ones.” Major Carolynn Webb, Associate Area Commander for The Salvation Army’s San Antonio Metropolitan Area Command, adds: “We were able to give water and snacks but most importantly we listened to many of the people share stories about their missing families. We prayed with many of the families.”
The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis has been managed by Majors Roxroy and Marjorie Campbell for the past five (5) years. In keeping with the Army’s mandate the local office has worked to support the poor and disaster affected individuals in the local community. Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, the Salvation Army Staff prepared and served meals to the members of the public who volunteered to work in the massive clean up campaign for downtown Basseterre on National Clean Up Day, 20 September 2017. The local office also sought funding and was able to supply mattresses and food packages for several hurricane affected persons in various communities throughout St. Kitts. Fifty (50) people are currently receiving food support. Some assistance was also provided to the family from Challengers that recently had their house burned to the ground.
Under the theme “The Joy of Giving” the Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis will launch its Red Kettle Drive for 2017 on St. Kitts on Saturday, 18 November 2017 at The Circus (in front of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank), Basseterre starting at 10.00am. Additionally, the first ever Red Kettle Drive Launch on Nevis will be held on Saturday, 18 November 2017 at the War Memorial Square, Charlestown starting at 2.00pm.
The Salvation Army has expressed special thanks to CIBC First Caribbean International Bank for again being the major sponsor of the St. Kitts & Nevis Red Kettle Drive, to the Bank of Nevis for continued sponsorship, and to Nevis Spring Water, Donald Hendrickson & Gospel Inspiration and the Ministry of Social Development, Youth, Sports & Community Development on Nevis for coming on board as sponsors this year. Members of the Jamaican Kittitian Nevisian (JamKitNev) Association and representatives of the Seniors Division in the Ministry of Social Development, Youth, Sports & Community Development on Nevis have graciously consented to assist the Salvation Army with co-ordinating activities for the first ever Nevis Red Kettle Launch Ceremony and the management and staff of Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis have indicated that they greatly appreciate this support.
The Jamaican Kittitian Nevisian (JamKitNev) Association is the association of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaicans, including partners of Jamaicans, living in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN). JamKitNev, with its motto of Goodwill & Unity Through Service, aims to unite Jamaicans, residing in St Kitts & Nevis in fellowship and to positively contribute in service to the community in which its members live.
The JamKitNev Association has for some years worked closely with the Salvation Army as part of its contribution to the community and as such has supported its Annual Red Kettle Drive. The Salvation Army Annual Red Kettle Drive is conducted in many cities and towns throughout the fifty nine (59) Salvation Army territories and commands in world and is a very important source of income for the community activities of this Organization.
It has been highlighted that The Salvation Army’s partnership with both private and public philanthropy will continue to bring comfort to the needy, while the proclamation of God’s redemptive love offers individuals and communities the opportunity to enjoy a better life on earth and a place in Christ’s everlasting Kingdom.
For The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis 2017 Red Kettle Drive, Red Kettles/Red & White Counter Cans/ Red & White Counter Boxes will be at the following locations:
St Kitts – Best Buy Supermarket, Camps; Horsford’s Valu Mart IGA, Wellington Road; JamRock Restaurant, Bird Rock Food Court; Ram’s Supermarket, Bird Rock; Steppin Fine Leather, Fort Street; Westbourne Pharmacy, Westbourne Ghaut.
Nevis – Best Buy Supermarket, Main Street, Charlestown; Best Buy Supermarket, Main Road, Gingerland; Evelyn’s Drug Store, Main Street, Charlestown; Horsford’s Valu Mart IGA Nevis, Farm Estate; Nevis Spring Water, Cedar Trees; Roo Tayloring, Happy Hill Drive, Charlestown; Superfoods, Main Street, Charlestown; and Tastee Jamaican Bakery, Bay Front.
The JamKitNev Association joins The Salvation Army St. Kitts & Nevis is encouraging the general public and Corporate St. Kitts & Nevis to please give generously whether or not someone is at the kettle/can/box ringing a bell!
PS:The general information relating to The Salvation Army included above was generously extracted from The Salvation Army International website.
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