Salvation Army celebrates community contributions

About 200 people, including Salvation Army of Highlands County Advisory Board members, several local officials and area movers and shakers, attended the annual Salvation Army Civic Luncheon on Friday at the Sebring Civic Center.

"It's a way to let the community know what we're doing," said Maj. Mary Holmes, on Friday prior to the luncheon.

"It is important to recognize that these accomplishments could not have been achieved without our community friends and the generous contributions they have made," she wrote in her invitation letter.

The luncheon kicked off with an invocation by pastor A.C. Bryant, of the First United Methodist Church and presentation of the colors by the Sebring High School Junior Air Force ROTC honor guard.

Its members included Maj. Robyn Bakalus, 1st Lt. and Cmdr. Honestee Wynn, 1st Lt. Anthony Rutigliano and 2nd Lt. Charles Ore and were accompanied by Larry Fergerson, Air Force JRROTC instructor.

The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" by Leslie Conerly Loughlin and accompanied by Doug Andrews.

One of the highlights of the luncheon included the presentation of the prestigious William Booth Award to advisory board member Joan Hartt, by Salvation Army Maj. Mary Holmes.

Hartt received the award for her dedication to the Salvation Army, through her service, effort within the community and contributions to the Salvation Army.

Hartt's grandfather was Edward J. Higgins, the first general to be elected to the leadership of The Salvation Army.

Other awards included a Community Award to Ruth and Jim Barron of Tanglewood, and a Volunteers award for Richard and Phyllis Bohlman, for their contributions.

In a letter dated Jan. 21, Holmes listed some of the The Salvation Army of Highlands County's most recent accomplishments.

"This year alone the Army has helped 18,477 Highlands County residents with food, clothing, financial assistance, holiday assistance, and back to school assistance," Holmes wrote.

"Volunteers visited 1,532 people in nursing home, while 869 youth participated in character building programs. The corrections program served 5,177 clients, and 11 children experienced a total of 72 days camp this summer."

That's an incredible record of accomplishment, she added.

"In addition to our assistance on a local level, the Salvation Army across the world is rushing aid to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti," she wrote.

They're still accepting donations for Haiti or for local use.

"The community has been pretty generous seeing as how they just donated at Christmas," Holmes said Friday.

They've sent food, water filtration systems there and continue to accept cash donations from the public.

"We have four or five officers in Florida who speak Creole and actually, some still have family there," Holmes said.