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Recognizing and honoring The Salvation Army for their dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, This week we join in celebration National Salvation Army Week, the second week of May, which was first declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. He is quoted as saying: “Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of human brotherhood . . . Their work has been a constant reminder to us all that each of us is neighbor and kin to all Americans, giving freely of themselves, the men and women of The Salvation Army have won the respect of us all.”; and
WHEREAS, Founded in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army has represented hope to millions of people in need worldwide for more than 150 years. The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest and oldest providers of social services, currently existing in 128 countries with its operations in the United States originating in Philadelphia in 1879. It continues its compassionate tradition of helping others wherever there is poverty, hunger, disease, destitution and spiritual need; and
WHEREAS, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services provides basic needs and services to victims of disaster, while also assisting first-responders. Serving 1 to 2 million Americans in dozens of response efforts nationwide, Emergency Disaster Services is often one of the first on the scene to aid emergency response efforts by providing food, shelter, clothing and spiritual comfort. Through its valuable partnership with the City of Philadelphia, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services is proud to support local first responders and disaster survivors in more than 250 annual responses in times of disaster or crisis. Most recently the Salvation Army played a critical role in transporting goods and assisting the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico as they collaborated with Unidos PA’PR to bring relief efforts to the island; and
WHEREAS, The Salvation Army continually strives to be a beacon of hope for thousands of individuals and families throughout Greater Philadelphia- enriching and transforming lives of those in the greatest of need. Over the past year The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia provided, more than 250,000 meals to those facing the threat of hunger, over 250,000 collective nights of shelter to homeless individuals and families, more than 30,000 local individuals with case management support and linkage to resources to help them in times of crisis, assistance to 11,000 individuals during the holiday season – including more than 25,000 toys and gifts so families in need could have the Christmas they deserve; and
WHEREAS, Through a network of community centers, residential facilities and volunteers, The Salvation Army is able to reach every zip code across the Greater Philadelphia region, offering a myriad of social services, including: shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, anti-human trafficking programs, emergency disaster relief, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, early childhood development, after-school arts, music and educational programs, recreational opportunities, job training and placement, activities for older adults, and spiritual development. The Salvation Army continually strives to be a beacon of hope for thousands of individuals and families throughout Greater Philadelphia- enriching and transforming lives of those in the greatest of need; and
WHEREAS, On May 14, 2018, The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia hosted its Annual Luncheon at the Westin Hotel Philadelphia. This year’s theme being “Celebrate Hope” where it recognized Unidos PA’PR along with Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. Unidos PA’PR received the “Doing the Most Good” Community Leadership Award named for the distinguished men, women, or organizations whose direction and compassion reflected the Salvation Army’s Mission; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes, honors and celebrates the Salvation Army for their dedicated and loyal service to the City of Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, and throughout the country assisting those in need following hardships.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Salvation Army as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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