10 of West’s board members presented Certificate of Exceptional Service Award
An advisory organization member in each division across the U.S. was honored for exemplary service in The Salvation Army this year. While intended for presentation at the 2020 National Advisory Organizations Conference, the presentations were made individually due to the
Inside the fight to rescue Christmas
Digital efforts support early Christmas fundraising By Hillary Jackson– Following the Sept. 14 launch of the nationwide Rescue Christmas campaign, Salvation Army units throughout the West began fundraising and assistance efforts to meet the amplified need caused by COVID-19. The augmented giving
TEC trains in building healthy, multi-ethnic corps
By Lisa Smith, Lt. Colonel - The USA West Territorial Executive Council, made up of divisional leaders, command heads and the senior leaders of the territory, gathered virtually recently for its annual September meetings. The topic under discussion was how to
Stuff the Bus rolls on during COVID-19
By Kyle Farber - The Salvation Army and Walmart partnered up once again for Stuff the Bus, a school supply drive for families in need. The event began August 7, with more than 4,500 Walmart stores participating across the U.S. “The goal
Salvation Army introduces new Social Justice Ministries Director
Jacqui Larsson accepts a new role after many years in the California South Division. Jacqui Larsson is now engaged in a new form of program ministry with The Salvation Army as the Western Territory’s Social Justice Ministries Director—developing, expanding and promoting
Salvation Army helps veterans amid COVID-19
Veterans face unique hardships during COVID-19 By Caitlin Johnston– Bonnie Romero has worked with veterans in Modesto, California, for nearly eight years, but she doesn’t remember ever being this exhausted. The coronavirus pandemic has interrupted lives, businesses, and communities nationwide. But the veterans
New seasonal assistance software brings contactless service to Angel Tree
Clients and donors can access the Angel Tree program online in 2020. This year the Western Territory has worked to ensure it reaches more “angels” than ever through its Angel Tree program, which puts new clothes and toys under the tree
Western Music Institute 2020—the online edition
Pandemic or not, WMI must go on. By Matt Woods - The annual Western Music Institute (WMI) looked different this year. Instead of bringing together the territory’s young people for 10 days of hard work and fun at Pine Summit Camp in
Social justice at home
Justice Immersion Service Corps participants reflect a year after their trip to Greece The Salvation Army Western Territory sent its first Justice Immersion Service Corps team to Anthens, Greece, in 2019, to serve and support the Army’s social justice ministry there.
Will online giving be enough?
Corps turn to Tithe.ly as pandemic shelves collection baskets. By Jared McKiernan - With traditional Sunday worship services on pause due to COVID-19, tithing numbers have taken a nosedive across the U.S. A survey by the National Association of Evangelicals of over 1,000
Hodders reflect on time leading Western Territory
After more than three years leading the Western Territory, Commissioners Kenneth G. and Jolene K. Hodder are headed to Alexandria, Virgina, where they will take up appointments from General Brian Peddle as the USA National Commander and National President of
The supply chain
By Stephen Smith, Lt. Colonel - By the time you’re reading this, we will hopefully be past the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but for months and years into the future we will ponder the lessons learned from this very unusual