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by Dane Fukumoto –
Soup lines may be a thing of the past in many places, but not in Seattle. The Salvation Army told its story to more than 600 celebrities and business and community leaders at its “1999 Soup Line.” The action-packed Seattle/King County Advisory Board’s luncheon gave people a taste of the Army’s work and need for more supporters. The day’s message: “Join the Army.”
Lt. Colonel Chris Buchanan, divisional commander, greeted guests–most of whom joined The Salvation Army for the first time. Celebrities such as Detlef Schrempf and Coach Paul Westphal, Seattle SuperSonics; Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners; Lou Piniella, Mariners manager; Julio Cruz, former Mariner; June Daugherty, UW women’s basketball coach; Byron Boudreaux, UW men’s basketball coach; Chuck Nelson, UW Huskies football coach; Dan Lewis, KOMO-TV anchor; and Susan Huchinson, KIRO-TV anchor, joined the Army as well. Tom Glasgow, FOX Sports Net Northwest host, was the master of ceremonies.
Glasgow raced around the room as video cameras projected stories of others who had joined the Army. Board Member Jack Thompson spoke about how he began his successful sports career at a Salvation Army community center. Thompson went on to play football as a WSU Cougar.
Majors Paul and Carol Seiler, general secretary and divisional social services secretary, shared stories about why they joined and encouraged guests to do the same. They spoke about their work and dedication to The Salvation Army and how it touches the lives of many people every day.
E-ricka and Dinea Evans, teenage clients of The Salvation Army, told guests how the Army’s work helped to stabilize their family life and lead them on a promising track. E-ricka and Dinea capped the luncheon with a musical salute to the Army.
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