16 April 2015

     

Editor's Notes:  The photos accompanying this story are intended to represent some of the many people who have volunteered their time to help The Salvation Army in its mission of Doing Good for others. These photos are not the actual people named within the story.

Meet Laura - El Cajon, California

By Lizbeth Beltran

Each day spent in the station wagon was one more day the children had to endure without a home or food. With four children to take care of, and one more on the way, things were not looking good for the Goodrick family.

They emigrated from Vancouver, Canada, to Southern California in the 1960s to find a better life. Optimism was keeping the family afloat.

Although the move was supposed to be for the better, the Goodricks found themselves living in their station wagon on the beach, eating canned food, with only 27 cents to their name.

Through The Salvation Army, the Goodricks were able to find employment, a new home and some peace of mind.

Canadian native, Laura Goodrick, student at San Diego State University, recalls the story of her grandparents’ struggle to raise her father and his siblings. Her family history fueled her motivation to become a volunteer for The Salvation Army.

“The worst-case scenario happened,” she said. “[My grandmother] had my uncle prematurely, two months early, and The Salvation Army came in and helped. They found a place for my grandparents, my father and his siblings to live.”

The Salvation Army also assisted the Goodricks with their medical expenses acquired from the premature birth. “They [hospital] were very diligent with the bills, charging for cotton swabs, and [my grandparents] had no money, so The Salvation Army really stepped in,” she said.

“If it weren’t for The Salvation Army, I don’t know where I would be, let alone my dad and his siblings, because without their help, my grandparents could not have gotten back on their feet and helped their family out,” she said.

Goodrick volunteers at The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps, where she works with seniors at the nearby Silvercrest.

“I called my nana and told her I was looking into volunteering and I decided I wanted to help out The Salvation Army. She was overjoyed,” she said. “I thought it was a good time for me to get back into volunteering and give back the way they helped my family.”

Goodrick emphasized that she chose to work with seniors because they hold a special place in her heart.

“A lot of people forget about the seniors,” she said. “I love having conversations with my nana. We have to remember that they matter.”

Since May 2014, Goodrick has helped lead summer programs like the Senior Olympics at the center. “We host a number of activities for the seniors,” she said. “They get to play basketball, lawn bowling, and target practice with bean bags.” Seniors who participate in the Senior Olympics activities also receive certificates from Goodrick.

In December 2014, Goodrick also began running an art program for the seniors, where she said she feels right at home. “Sometimes you get the feeling that they [seniors] don’t get to talk too much,” she said. “They don’t get the chance to be social very often beyond their peers. They have such great life advice and stories to tell, they just need someone to listen,” she said. Goodrick wants to encourage other young people to give some of their time to seniors in their communities. “I have to point out to others that we cannot forget about our seniors,” she said. “They built us and worked so we can live the life we live today. We have to give back to them.”.

“I feel really happy that I get to partake in this great organization and help out other people,” she said. “My grandmother is now 87 years old. The Salvation Army made a huge impact on my family’s life, and I will forever be grateful.”

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Meet Dareka - Inglewood, California

By Jacqueline Luna

In a foreign country without any knowledge of the native language, Dareka McGhee learned to replace words with a smile, a lesson she learned from the locals.

Equipped with a grin stretching ear to ear, she bonded with the children of the local Salvation Army center.

In December, McGhee, 20, was selected to go on the SoCal Youth Mission Trip to the Philippines along with eight others. When she received the news, she was given special instructions; she had to keep it a secret until her corps officers at the Inglewood Salvation Army were notified.

“It was killing me,” McGhee said. “It was just eating me up inside."

The SoCal Youth Mission spent their 10 days abroad ministering to the women, children and youth of the Iloilo province La Paz Corps. They did community visits, read Bible verses, prayed with families and held Sunday worship. McGhee said she sees herself returning to the Philippines in the future.

“I really want to go back,” McGhee said. “The trip brought me closer to God. It made me feel more appreciative because not everyone has what we have.”

Back home, McGhee is anything but your average 20-year-old. She takes classes at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., where she studies business management. She also works two part-time jobs, all while finding time to volunteer at The Salvation Army and do something she has enjoyed since she was a child.

“I’ve been doing hair since I was 7 years old,” said McGhee, whose clients include family members, volunteers, neighbors and members of her church. “I like making people feel good."

McGhee first came to The Salvation Army through her grandmother’s journey to sobriety. Her grandmother started inviting the whole family to church and from then on, they all attended. McGhee holds a certain admiration for her grandmother.

“I look up to her,” McGhee said. “She’s such a spiritual woman. She loves God and puts him first. She inspires me a lot.”

For the past four years, McGhee's been a familiar face at The Salvation Army Inglewood Citadel Corps. Over the past 12 months, she’s gained even more involvement.

McGhee participated in the corps’ first ever day camp last year. She enjoys working with children and helping out wherever she can. McGhee carries out a number of tasks, from preparing lunches to driving around with her grandmother collecting food that will be handed out to the community.

“I have a passion for helping people,” she said. “The idea of helping families in need is super exciting."

McGhee has carefully mapped out her life. After finishing school, she hopes to form her own corps ministry and open a daycare for 2-5-year-old children. In the meantime, she hopes to attend Boundless 2015 in London, England this summer.

“It’s important to go on these trips,” she said, “to share what God is doing in my life and to learn and experience how God is working in a different country."

     

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Be A Volunteer

Kindness. Compassion. Time. Every day, The Salvation Army relies on the work of volunteers to help accomplish its mission of "Doing the Most Good". Whether it's standing in a soupline serving meals, spending time with a shut-in or senior, or something as simple as vacuuming carpets nad emptying the trash, volunteers the mission possible. If you - or someone you know is looking for volunteer opportunities, why not check out our volunteer database. New opportunities are being added almost daily. Click HERE to search by city, state or zip code. You'll be glad you did!

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Help The Salvation Army Care For Others All Around The World

The continued work of The Salvation Army around the world also relies on the generosity of donors. If you would like to help us provide programs such as food banks and nutrition programs, emergency and homeless shelters, as well as other vital services, please consider making an online donation today. Your donation will stay within your community to fund much-needed community programs for those in need. Every donation you make helps The Salvation Army continue "Doing The Most Good" today and in the future.

Click HERE to make a donation. Thank you!

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April 13, 2015	National Volunteer Week - Pt 1 of 5
October 27, 2014	United Way Day of Caring Volunteers Benefit The Salvation Army in Tacoma, WA
October 18, 2014	Sewing Circle Donates 4,000th Quilt - Woodbury, MN