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SalvationArmy helpsvear aroundOn the cold winter nights before Christmas, the Salvation Army has its fund drive in most cities and until t h e following Christmas works, unnoticed by most people, providing emergency assistance and helping theneedy.The Salvation Army in Alton works year-roundproviding emergency assistance for families inneed, sponsoring vouih groups such as Boy Scouts andsending children to camp. They also distribute gifts and dinners, help unwed mothers,and visit lonely people in hospitals and at home, among their many community projects.“A typical case is a man who brings his family to Alton, where he has a new job, but needs food until he ets his first pay check,” said Major David Amick, officer in charge of the Salvation Army in Alton.‘if the needy can’t get what they need through regular channels, because of red tape or other reasons, they are sent to the Army,” continued Major Amick.A gymnasium is operated by the Salvation Army inAlton, which offers basketball, volleyball, pool and roller skating, for youngsters in Alton. The fee is five-dollars a year.Youngsters w h o cannot afford the gym fee are given part-time work at the gym to pay for membership.Gifts are distributed to shut-ins, nursing homes and state hospital patients by the Ladies Home League, which is sponsored by the Salvation Army.‘'Any lady is welcome tocome and participate,” said Mrs. Major Amick, director of the league. Activities include cooking, sewing and visitation of shut-ins.TheSalvationArmydistributes toys and provides meals for many people who would otherwise be forgotten during the holidays.Last Christmas dinners were provided for 842 families and 3,350 children received tovs when their families couldmnot afford Christmas presents. The meals and toys were payed for by the Christmas Tree of Lights program*during last Christmas.During the summer over one-hundred underpriveligedchildren were sent to Camp Mihaska near Bourbon. Mo.The unwed mother can avail herself of the Salvation Armys home in St. Louis, where a counseling and adoption service are provided.The Army also operates the A r m y s Missing Persons Bureau through which hundreds of people are reunited with their families each year.In 1965 Major Amick started a rehabilitation center in Kankakee, 111. where hePMUreceived men from the state hospital for the Anmys Work Group Therapy Center.The project at Kankakeewas so successful that it received an award form the; Illinois director of Mental Health, during Mental HealthWeek.Alcohol is the number four killer in the United States,” stated Amick. “The government centers have been formed to establish reasons for it. but the Salvation Army has been working against alcoholism from the begin-nmg.
Newspaper Details
Alton Telegraph
Alton, Illinois, US
Mon, Oct 30, 1972
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
NA, 06 May 2021
Other Publications Near Alton, Illinois
Alton Evening Telegraph
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Labor World
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