10 stories that gave us hope this year

This year, the idea of hopefulness was a fixture at Caring— a constant that helped guide our work and served as a reminder of just how important storytelling is in keeping hope alive for others. Our team even created a Slack channel to catalog hopeful thoughts to turn to if we needed inspiration. 

Throughout the 138 stories the Caring team published this year, it’s our hope you were inspired by the individuals who found strength in their recovery, supported their hungry or unhoused neighbors, or volunteered to lend a hand in their community. 

Here are your top 10 most-loved stories of 2024.

1. At the Hilo Overnight Safe Space, people living on the streets find rest
In Hilo, Hawaii, the Hilo Overnight Safe Space offers unhoused individuals a safe space to spend the night and shelter from the elements on the grounds of The Salvation Army Hilo Corps.

2. Tucson Salvation Army Hospitality House helps empty nesters get back on their feet
When mounting bills and an unstable living situation rendered the Romeros’ empty nest overwhelming, The Salvation Army Hospitality House provided a safe haven.

3. In Anaheim, pet owners find a haven of support at emergency shelter
The Salvation Army Anaheim Emergency Shelter is able to accommodate up to 30 pets, removing a barrier to emergency housing for many unhoused people.

4. Homeless Outreach teams collaborate to impact people in need
A collaboration between Dignity Health Street Medicine and The Salvation Army’s Homeless Outreach Team delivers vital support to people experiencing homelessness, with a clear goal to connect individuals to essential resources to facilitate their transition toward permanent housing.

5. At The Salvation Army Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center, one teen becomes ‘known figure’
At The Salvation Army Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) Kroc Center, one teen found community and went from wellness center attendee to employee.

6. In Oregon’s Klamath Falls, one woman is the force behind The Salvation Army’s social services
Over four decades, Debi Leighton made it her mission to distribute kindness to her community, along with meeting people’s physical needs.

7. Salvation Army shelter guest receives full scholarship to Biola University
High school senior Ruben Calleros and his mother lost their rental home and became guests at the Anaheim (California) Emergency Shelter. Through it all, he continued to stay strong in his faith and excelled academically, eventually receiving a full scholarship to Biola University.

8. The Salem Salvation Army Kroc Center kitchen is feeding the community
Since the 2020 Oregon wildfires, Chef Greggery Peterson and his team at The Salvation Army have been feeding community members in need.

9. Employee at Denver shelter emerges as lifesaver in opioid overdose crisis
J’azmin Smith earned a Lifesaver Award from The Salvation Army and a Pulse Award from Cintas for preventing overdoses at a Denver shelter.

10. Phoenix shelter offers new start for mom and son—and likely saves her life
In Phoenix, The Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter helped a single mother battling cancer and her young son secure housing and get back on their feet.

As a bonus, we’re sharing our personal favorite stories from 2024—the ones that gave us hope and reminded us that good things are happening around us all the time. Here are the Caring team’s favorite stories from the past year:

1. Man uses story of overcoming homelessness to reach others in Riverside, California
Kenneth Mackillop’s story gives me hope. Despite facing homelessness and addiction and nearly giving up, he turned his life around. Now, he works at the Riverside Access Center, helping others in similar situations. His journey shows that even when someone feels they’ve hit rock bottom, change can be possible with support, faith and determination. -Haley Osness, Editor

2. Donor uses closeout sales to help children in need ‘feel important’
Cindy’s year-round generosity gave me hope because the way she shops closeout sales to get kids in need clothes they can feel confident in feels so doable and yet significant. I’m sure we all have a childhood memory of a special outfit or pair of shoes that played a part in where we are now. -Hillary Jackson, Managing Editor

3. In Anaheim, pet owners find a haven of support at emergency shelter
By dedicating specific resources to protect what many shelter guests cherish the most—their pets—The Salvation Army shows compassion and helps restore dignity. They also ensure guests continue to receive the unconditional love and companionship a pet provides. -Emily Anderson, Digital Content Producer

4. Phoenix construction firm swoops in to save Christmas for Angel Tree children—twice
In Phoenix, a construction firm swooped in to save Christmas for Angel Tree kids not once, but twice. I love how this story is an example of someone keeping an eye out for ways to help and rallying their people to join in. -Christin Thieme, Editor-in-Chief

5. ‘Hope is like a hug to the heart’: 93-year-old kettle ambassador still going strong
I’m inspired by 93-year-old “Kettle Queen” Verena Matthews and her story of giving back to the community through volunteering. Not only do her efforts give her purpose, they bring hope to her community. -Karen Gleason, Senior Editor

6. How the Ridgecrest Salvation Army is helping keep literacy alive
My favorite story this year was about the Reading Zone at The Salvation Army in Ridgecrest, California. What started as a summer reading program is now available year-round, helping kids to develop a new habit while supporting literacy. -Cory Gaudaur, Digital Operations Director

7. Salvation Army Adaptive Retreat gives a ‘more full picture’ of the kingdom of God
This story gives me hope because it shows that real inclusiveness is not beyond our grasp. Everyone deserves a place at the table no matter their circumstance or ability. -Kevin Dobruck, Art Director

Do Good:

• You’ve probably seen the red kettles and thrift stores, and while we’re rightfully well known for both…The Salvation Army is so much more than red kettles and thrift stores. So who are we? What do we do? Where? Right this way for Salvation Army 101.
• It’s because of people like you that The Salvation Army can serve more than 31 million Americans in need each year. (That’s almost one person every second, every day.) Your gift helps The Salvation Army fight for good all year in your community. It’s an effort to build well-being for all of us, so together we rise. And that good starts with you. Give to spread hope with a donation of funds, goods or time today. 
• What cause best fits your personality? Take our quiz and discover where you can make the biggest impact today in the Fight for Good.