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HOW CAN I MAKE A DONATION? Your monetary donations and other contributions give vital support to The Salvation Army's community outreach programs that meet intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Getting involved any day of the year is easy, and the rewards are endless. It is important to us that we make the very best use of every dollar given out of faithful stewardship to you and to God. Nationally, The Salvation Army uses over 85 cents of every dollar contributed on direct service provision. Locally, we spend only nine cents of every dollar on administrative and fund raising. When you give, you are not only helping others. Your contributions to The Salvation Army, whether in cash, property or planned gifts, can be deducted on your federal income tax return. You may deduct the full value of your gifts minus the value of any goods or services received from us in exchange for your contribution. In most cases you receive no goods or services from us, but there are times when you might, for example, receive a meal at a special event. For contributions of $250 or above, The Salvation Army must verify to you in writing whether or not goods or services were rendered to you in exchange for the contribution, and if so, what the value of those goods or services is. Even if you do not itemize deductions on your return, you may deduct a limited amount of your contributions. In order to deduct contributions on your federal tax returns, you must maintain sufficient information to support the deduction you claim. In general, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to verify your contribution with a canceled check or receipt. It is not always possible to obtain a receipt. For example, many people contribute by dropping money into a Christmas kettle, church offering plate, or by depositing clothes, etc. in a Salvation Army collection box. In those cases, the IRS usually recognizes a log or diary kept throughout the year that lists all contributions for which you do not have a receipt or canceled check. IRS Publications On Charitable Contributions If you need further information on the deduction of gifts to charity or the valuation of items donated, you should consult the following IRS publications: - Publication 526 -- Charitable Contributions
- Publication 561 -- Determining the Value of Donated Property
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SALVATION ARMY'S MINISTRY TO THOSE IN DIRE NEED! "People go about suggesting that we are wonderfully rich; that we have a large income. The fact is that we are wonderfully poor. Thank God that we have a large income, but we are much in the position of the wife who said, 'Our John is earning more money than he ever did, but now we have twelve children instead of one.'" -- General William Booth (1883) HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR THE WILLIAMSPORT SALVATION ARMY? Volunteering means sharing your time, talent, and a lot of heart. What you get back in return is satisfaction and a "thank you". The Salvation Army is a natural place to volunteer because we are in communities helping the most needy. Our work is only complete because we rely on trusted volunteers who want to make a difference. Are you thinking about helping others? Do you need the right incentive? Think about what it would be like to make that one-on-one connection and know that you helped a youngster learn how to read? How would you like to be a strong role model and teach a bunch of young men and women how to improve their basketball game. There are a number of ways to give back to your community. You can start by first deciding to take the plunge and become a Salvation Army volunteer. Here are some volunteer suggestions for students, retired persons or anyone who has the time to give: - Help serve a meal at our supper club --- a one shot deal, or get hooked and join us every day for dinner. If you get really enthusiastic , you can help cook the meals.
- Tutor young kids who are struggling with school --- English, algebra or Bible studies will do. Sometimes just the interest from an adult will do wonders for a kid who can't ask his parents for help with homework.
- You know those familiar red kettles at Christmas? Every kettle needs a warm watchdog and a tender heart to stir the flames of sharing and caring. Yes, Virginia, volunteers can continue the more than 100-year-old tradition of collecting for the sick and needy. If you're musically inclined we'll even give you a bell, you'll just have to come up with your own Christmas tune.
- Any physicians, lawyers, artists, or other professionals looking to get away from the daily grind? Sometimes we can use assistance in helping our clients cope with expensive testing or housing problems. Your expertise is needed in these technical fields.
Please Call Kim Roman at The Williamsport Salvation Army for Volunteer information 570.326.9187 WHAT IS A SALVATIONIST? Mission StatementThe Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
AN INTRODUCTION TO YOUR SALVATION ARMY The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church which is organized and operated in a quasi-military fashion. "Salvationists" share the beliefs of most evangelical Protestant denominations. The "corps" is the local "church" unit that embodies the total Salvation Army mission of joyful worship, meaningful fellowship, and active community service. Members of The Salvation Army include: - Commissioned "officers," who are ordained ministers, trained in a Salvation Army "School of College for Officers' Training" for full time service as administrators, pastors, and leaders of front line ministry. These people dedicate their lives to the work of the Army. Each officer also belongs to a corps and is a soldier as well as an officer.
- "Soldiers," who are members of the congregation at the local corps community center. Soldiers affirm their acceptance of Salvation Army doctrines and commit themselves as "laity" to high standards of personal Christian conduct.
- "Adherents," who, by attendance, involvement and adherence to basic standards of Christian living, and financial support, consider The Salvation Army to be their place of worship.
The Salvation Army adheres to the New Testament concept of enlistment in the service of God as soldiers who subject themselves to Divine authority and discipline. Translated into military terminology, the international leader is a General; officers are ranked by seniority and merit. Women hold equal rank with men (if married, husband and wife hold the same rank). Each officer must be prepared to transfer to a new appointment on short notice, according to the requirements of service. There are over 5,700 officers and 453,000 lay people who attend worship services and other programs at over 1,200+ corps community centers throughout the United States. Such meetings and programs can be attended by anyone. Salvation Army meetings and Sunday Schools encourage people in Christian faith and its various group activities for youth and adults provide opportunities for growth and fellowship with others. Wherever The Salvation Army serves, its members endeavor to be a shining example of faith in action. As an expression of its spiritual beliefs, the Army seeks to advance the future of persons by building stronger character, encouraging Christian values, offering training in the Christian lifestyle, promoting emotional health, stimulating creative abilities, and providing practical supports such as food, clothing and shelter. If you would like to attend a Salvation Army worship service we would love for you to join us at 457 Market Street in Williamsport every Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM. Thank you for your interest. You are warmly welcomed! WHY DO YOU WEAR UNIFORMS? "Why do Salvationists Wear Uniforms?"First, for those who see the uniform, the issue is identification. The Salvationist wears a uniform for many of the same reasons other service-centered personnel wear them. Whether the vocation is police work, the military, an airline pilot, or U.P.S. Delivery Driver, the uniform is an identifier. A link is made between the uniform and the one wearing it, giving the viewer a sense of the occupation. When someone sees an individual in a Salvation Army uniform, they associate that person with The Salvation Army; they see someone whose motto is "Saved to Serve"! Next, for the wearer of the uniform, it is a witness of their faith in God. No one wears the uniform unless they are a soldier (member) of The Salvation Army. By putting on the uniform, they are publicly sharing their love for God, their relationship with Him, and their desire to serve Him by serving others. Finally, a uniform shares the "abilities" of the wearer: - Approachability - Salvation Army personnel are often approached to give assistance or counsel in times of need, just because of their uniform.
- Accessibility - A Salvation Army uniform is found where many people can not, or are not willing, to go. Fires, floods, or other disasters bring Army personnel on duty. Their uniform gives access to action.
- Availability - When in uniform the Salvationist is always "on duty," ready to serve the need at the time and point of need.
- Reliability - There is a high level of trust and confidence in the soldier behind the uniform!
WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THOSE KETTLES? The Origin of Christmas KettlesThe Salvation Army Captain had resolved, in December of 1891, to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area's poor persons. But how would he pay for the food. As he went about his daily tasks, the question stayed in his mind. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. On the Stage Landing he saw a large pot, called "Simpson's Pot"" into which charitable donations were thrown by passers-by. On the next morning, he secured permission from the authorities to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing, at the foot of Market Street. No time was lost in securing the pot and placing it in a conspicuous position, so that it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferry boats. In addition, a brass urn was placed on a stand in the waiting room for the same purpose. Thus, Captain Joseph McFee launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but throughout the world. By Christmas, 1895, the kettle was used in 30 Salvation Army Corps in various sections of the West Coast area. The Sacramento Bee of that year carried a description of the Army's Christmas activities and mentioned the contributions to the street corner kettles. Shortly afterward, two young Salvation Army officers who had been instrumental in the original use of the kettle, William A. McIntyre and N.J. Lewis, were transferred to the East. They took with them the idea of the Christmas kettle. In 1897, McIntyre prepared his Christmas plans for Boston around the kettle, but his fellow officers refused to cooperate for fear of "making spectacles of themselves." So McIntyre, his wife and his sister set up three kettles at the Washington Street thoroughfare in the heart of the city. That year the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1898, the New York World hailed The Salvation Army kettles as "the newest and most novel device for collecting money." The newspaper also observed, "There is a man in charge to see that contributions are not stolen." In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today, however, families are given grocery checks so that they can buy and prepare their own dinners at home. The homeless poor are still invited to share holiday dinners and festivities at hundreds of Salvation Army centers. Kettles now are used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, and Chile, and in many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten -- to the aged and lonely, the ill, the inmates of jails and other institutions, the poor and unfortunate. In the United States, The Salvation Army annually aids more than 4,500,000 persons at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kettles have changed since the first utilitarian cauldron set up in San Francisco. Some of the new kettles have such devices as a self-ringing bell and a booth complete with public address system over which the traditional Christmas carols are broadcast. Behind it all, though, is the same Salvation Army message, "Sharing is Caring." HOW DO I DONATE GOODS TO THE THRIFT STORE? You can bring your goods to one of our two store locations. Our flagship store is in Pennsdale Pennsylvania. At the Halls/Pennsdale exit of RT 220 near the Mazda and Toyota Dealers. Our hours are 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and until 4 on Saturdays. Our Williamsport Store is located in the heart of Downtown Williamsport on the corner of Court Street and 4th Street. We also encourage you to shop at our stores for all your clothing, household good, and furniture needs.
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