San Francisco celebrates 120

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by Jennifer Byrd – 



JENNIFER AND ROB Pace, Mary Theroux, and Kjell Qvale discuss the Army’s role in San Francisco.


More than 100 guests gathered in San Francisco recently to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Major Alfred Wells arrival in San Francisco; Wells led the first Salvation Army meeting in that city in a hall at 815 Montgomery Street.

The anniversary reception was held at the elegant and historical British Motor Cars, a luxury car dealership.

National Advisory Board Chairman Edsel Ford II traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to take part in the festivities.

“A special thanks to Kjell Qvale of British Motor Cars for hosting a splendid event in his dealership,” Ford said. “There is the age-old issue that the need is great, and The Salvation Army is such a wonderful organization. They make promises to the community and then they deliver on those promises. That is so important.”

The Salvation Army received a proclamation from California Assemblyman Mark Leno and San Francisco Supervisor Fiona Ma congratulating the Army on its 120 years of service.

“We are glad to celebrate 120 years of service to the community,” said Lt. Col. Richard Love. “From the first small gathering organized by Major Wells in a makeshift hall in San Francisco, we have grown to encompass the greater Western United States. That is a wonderful thing.”

San Francisco Advisory Board Chair and member of the National Board, Mary Theroux of The Independent Institute, helped organize the event that was sponsored by other board members, Bill Selover with The Chaparral Group, Peter Chung of Summit Partners, Rob Pace with Goldman Sachs and also a member of the National Advisory Board, and Fifi Holbrook.


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