Salvation Army Civic Luncheon Recognizes Volunteer Of The Year

The midday sun reflected off Lake Jackson and created the perfect background for the fifth annual Salvation Army Civic Luncheon, held Friday at the Sebring Civic Center.

Around 100 attendees dined on a lunch of potato salad, tuna fish, fresh fruits and iced tea. But before the eating could commence, a few awards were doled out.

Maj. Mary Holmes recognized Mary Strenth as the Volunteer of the Year, citing some of her accomplishments as coordinating both the Back-To-School and Angel Tree tables.

"Mary has been a jewel for me," Holmes said. "She has gone the extra mile and beyond."

Bill Sager was also given a Certificate of Life Membership, in recognition of his 15 years as a member of the advisory board.

Friday's luncheon also gave the Highlands County chapter of the Salvation Army a chance to let sponsors know what their money went toward in 2008.

More than 9,500 individuals received personal counseling, food and shelter, utility payments and youth camping. More than 3,500 people received holiday assistance, including children who were provided gifts through the Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family programs.

The Clothes for Kids program provided new clothing and school supplies for 124 students, while the League of Mercy volunteers spent 157 hours in hospitals and nursing homes, spending time with 1,476 people.

Holmes said some of the local chapter's goals in 2009 is finishing construction on their warehouse and remodeling the thrift store.