Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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“I think it’s true that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work,” Captain Ken Oakes, corps officer for the local chapter, told those present at the banquet. “You are part of those 20 percent that provide 80 percent of the help in this community.”
The chapter’s annual report shows that it lost $22,729,44 during the 2007 fiscal year, which ended last Sept. 30. The local Salvation Army received $518,997.03 in public support, $51,846.48 in governmental support and $67,923.39 in internal support. The three Thrift Stores, in Thomasville, Lexington and Denton collected $274,672.82 in revenue, but cost the chapter $301,581.08 in operating expenses. The chapter also paid $327,554.43 in staff compensation and professional fees and $502,293.09 in other programs and general expenses during the past fiscal year.
One of the programs is the Davidson County Prison Ministry. Tim Martin, a chaplain in the Prison Ministry told the banquet attendees that it was trying to get a worship center within Davidson Correctional Center in Lexington.
“We offer more than just a pat on the back to those incarcerated in the prison in our country,” Martin said. “We present them with a gift bag of items such as toothpaste and combs, as well as literature on the Salvation Army. Sometimes our encouragement after these people are incarcerated is more important than our encouragement while they are incarcerated.”
Martin explained that his ministry helped to get recently released prisoners back on their feet again. With the Salvation Army being a church, it could also be a tool to help former offenders get back on the right track.
Also speaking at the banquet was Minerva Jenkins, a Thomasville resident who fell on hard times, but received aid from the Salvation Army enabling her children to get bicycles for Christmas and other assistance which enabled her to have a better life during a difficult economic period in her life. She graciously thanked the Salvation Army staffers and volunteers in attendance for what their organization had done for her and her family.
“There are many other stories out there,” Thomasville Mayor Joe Bennett, a local Salvation Army Advisory Board member told the audience. “People in this room and beyond have helped make things happen.”
Other local political leaders at the dinner included Thomasville City Council members George Burton, Raleigh York, Pat Shelton and David Yemm. Davidson County Commissioners Larry Potts and Billy Joe Kepley also attended the banquet.
“Volunteers are so important to the Salvation Army,” said Berta Riley, another advisory board member who recognized the volunteers in attendance. “We can count on these people. Thank you for all you do to help the community.”
Oakes was also appreciative of the people who helped out the Salvation Army.
“Some of you have given your time, some of you have given your talent and some of you have given your treasures,” Oakes said. “Whatever you have given, we thank God for you. We’re all stewards of what God has given us. Thank you all for being good stewards.”
Steve Smith, chair of the Salvation Army of Davidson County Advisory Board, also expressed thanks to those who helped the Salvation Army — including Oakes.
“I thank Ken and all of you for making sure we do the most good,” Smith said. “That’s what the Salvation Army does.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.