Sunday, March 16th is the 121st birthday of The Salvation Army officially beginning its life-changing ministries in Greater Chattanooga. To celebrate, The Salvation Army will have surprise birthday parties throughout the week of March 17 - 22. All are welcome to join the celebrations. They are as follows:
Monday - 1 p.m. - The Salvation Army Cleveland Corps, 437 Inman Street W, Cleveland, TN - This will take place during the Cleveland Advisory Council Meeting.
Tuesday - 7:30 p.m. - The Salvation Army Citadel Corps, 1019 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN - This will take place during the classes of the School of Music and Arts.
Wednesday - 1 p.m. - The Salvation Army 614 Corps, 800 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN - This will take place during the Kareoke time for the homeless.
Thursday - 10:30 a.m. - The Salvation Army Social Services, 2140 East 28th Street, Chattanooga, TN - This will take place during the English as a Second Language class.
Friday - 4 p.m. -The Salvation Army East Lake Community Center, 2140 E 28th Street, Chattanooga, TN - This will take place during the after school tutoring and recreational programs.
Saturday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. - The Salvation Army Family Store, 4104 Ringgold Road, East Ridge, TN - Special sales will take place throughout the day to celebrate 121 years!
On March 16, 1893, District Officer J. C. Smith arrived in the Scenic City. The next day he greeted Chattanoogans with these timely words, "We (come) with peace, charity and goodwill toward everyone, and we trust we shall succeed in doing good."
After all these years, The Salvation Army is serving in 127 countries, and its Red Shield is one of the most recognized "brands" in America. Moreover, the words of Adjutant Smith's introductory remarks still ring true today in Chattanooga and around the globe for The Salvation Army's promise is "Doing the Most Good for people in need with donors' contributions of money, time and resources."
On the occasion of its 121st birthday, the Greater Chattanooga Salvation Army wishes to express its sincere gratitude to our friends whose prayers and gifts of time, talent and treasure have blessed us as they selflessly served the needs of our less fortunate neighbors through two World Wars, The Great Depression, the Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, fires, floods and tornados. Together, the community and The Salvation Army have been providing shelter, food, clothing, furniture, disaster relief, Christmas assistance, physical, spiritual and emotional care for 121 years!