Events planned for Salvation Army Week
By W. WINSTON SKINNER
winston@newnan.com
The Salvation Army’s Newnan Service Center is celebrating Salvation Army Week with a variety of activities.
The service center has just finished a successful community project – gathering items to send care packages to soldiers. On Friday, Stephanie May, the service center’s director, said 15 boxes have been prepared so far. “We have plenty of donations to send more boxes,” she said.
• Monday, the history of the worldwide ministry will be the focus from 1-5 p.m. “Come and speak with two retired Salvation Army Majors,” May suggested. “Ask any questions you may have and learn the history of the Salvation Army.”
Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
• Tuesday, Fire Safety Day will be observed. From noon-4 p.m., area residents are invited to bring children to the service center to “get a tour of a firetruck and speak to firefighters,” May said.
She said visitors will also have the opportunity to “learn new information” that could be helpful in “escaping a fire or preventing a fire.”
• Wednesday, Art 101 is planned from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Arts and crafts events for children are planned.
• Thursday, Quilting 101 will be held from 1-5 p.m. A Salvation Army major and friends will be at the service center to work with people who want to “learn the basics of quilting,” May said.
• Friday, Community Prayer will start at 8 a.m. May said “a great morning of fellowship, worship and prayer” is being planned.
“We will have coffee and refreshments provided,” May said, adding that the prayer gathering is open to the entire community.
• Saturday, there will be a big sale at the thrift store at the service center. The store will be open during usual store hours from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
From Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the store will be accepting donations. When people donate during Salvation Army Week, they will receive a coupon to save 20 percent on a purchase at the thrift store.
May said she is excited about Salvation Army Week – and pleased with community response to the care package project. “We were blessed with many donations to send out to our troops,” she said.
Local residents were asked to donate snacks, toiletries, body protection, flashlights, batteries, coffee, beef jerkey, travel size wipes, Chap Stick, DVD movies, pens, notepads, game books, T-shirts, linens and Bibles. Donations to cover shipping – $11.35 per package – were also given.
In addition to its thrift store and social service outreach, the Salvation Army is a church. Bible Study is held at the local service center each Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. “Come as you are. We are very casual,” May said.
For more information about the Bible study, call 678-633-5544.
