By Christine Price
Columnist
Amidst all the stress, anxiety, craziness and bad news, my goal is to spotlight and share the good news in our community.
Looking to connect with others in our community while making a real difference? The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA) of the Painesville Corps is growing, and now is the perfect time to get involved.
Although the organization has only been established for a few months, its members have already made a significant impact.
SAWA has raised more than $8,000 to provide financial and practical support for Lake County residents served by the Painesville Corps. That total includes a generous one-time grant of $6,900 from 100+ Women Who Care Lake County, with the remaining funds raised through the Christmas in July Countertop Kettle Campaign.
With fresh leadership, exciting initiatives and new projects on the horizon, SAWA is looking for women who are passionate about giving back and bringing new ideas to the table.
Whether you can donate your time, talents, resources or a combination of all three, there is a place for you.
“I’m excited about the remarkable group of women who have gathered to form this Auxiliary,” said Maj. Alma Riley. “They’ve adopted the slogan, ‘Meeting Need at the Point of Need’ and that commitment is driving their efforts. They’ve already made a tremendous impact on our programs. Lake County has a strong spirit of volunteerism, and I can’t wait to meet the women who will come alongside us and join our mission.”
The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for those in need by feeding the hungry, restoring hope to families, responding to emergencies, mentoring youth and helping individuals overcome obstacles so they can build brighter futures.
Every program is centered on transforming lives and strengthening our community.
“Working with this dynamic group of women to build the foundation of this organization has been such a joy,” SAWA president Pam Martin said. “One of the strengths of our auxiliary is that we offer three levels of membership, allowing women to become involved in a way that best fits their schedules and interests while still making a meaningful difference. I know this group will continue to grow and positively impact our community, and we can’t wait to welcome new members.”
If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to serve your community while building lasting friendships, SAWA offers countless opportunities to volunteer, support local families and be part of something bigger than yourself.
Membership applications are available on the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary-Painesville Facebook page or http://salvationarmyohio.org/painesville.
And speaking of the Christmas in July Countertop Kettle Campaign, keep an eye out for the familiar Red Kettles returning to retail locations throughout Lake County this July.
If you happen to pass one, consider dropping in a donation. Every dollar stays local, helping provide food, shelter, clothing and hope to our neighbors when they need it most.
When you see good news, and you will, please send it to cpriceconcord@aol.com. Include your name, phone number, city of residence and email address.
