Salvation Army

The Salvation Army 2011 Mission of Hope announces that local income donations totaled $1,609,919. When the final fundraising numbers were recently tallied, the Army discovered a significant increase in donations from 2010. Wichita Commander Major Douglas Rowland says, "wW are grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Wichita community.We were blessed to experience a five percent increase from last year here in Wichita. While on the national level, our organization set a fundraising record.

More than 200 staff, faculty and students from Friends University took a break from regular schedules on Monday. They came together to organize gifts for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree and Star of Hope programs. The gifts will be distributed to more than three thousand area families, including nearly 10-thousand kids. The school's Campus Visit Coordinator, Deb Bolen tells us, "The best part about today is everybody gets together and you get to see everybody you maybe havn't seen for a while and we're like a family.

Press Release The Salvation Army June 12th, 2008 The Salvation Army is continuing to provide assistance to three north central Kansas communities devastated by tornadoes Wednesday night. Two Salvation Army emergency disaster vehicles (canteens) remain on the scene in Chapman, Kansas, where one person was killed and 75% of homes were damaged or destroyed. Canteen crews have been serving food and beverages to the Kansas National Guard, search and rescue teams and other emergency responders.

A sound synonymous with the holiday season kicked off Friday night and soon you'll start hearing the ringing bells of those manning the salvation army kettles. The group counts on donations raised during the holiday campaign to fund programs all year long. Salvation Army Major Douglas Rowland told Eyewitness News "It's a time when people come together and have the opportunity to give to someone who doesn't have as much as we do. " The Salvation Army also collects gifts for kids.

By John Boyd (WICHITA, Kan.) The new Salvation Army kettles with credit card machines aren't bringing in as much money as the charity was hoping for. The Salvation Army believes people just aren't comfortable with using the machines. All you do is slide your card and punch in the amount you want to donate. The charity says the machines are safe to use and no personal information is stored. The Salvation Army did bring in one large donation.  Someone donated $1,000 dollars through one of the machines.

The Salvation Army is auctioning off gear from its Biddy Basketball program. Folks turned out to bid on things like scoreboards, equipment and other items from the program. ----- Biddy Basketball is coming back to Wichita. “Relieved…I think everyone is relieved,” says Chris Brown, a long time Biddy coach and part of the group trying to revive the program. The Salvation Army announced the end of Biddy Basketball earlier this year, blaming it on dwindling numbers.

by Jennifer Searle (WICHITA, Kan.) Koch employees help the Salvation Army serve area families in need. The company donated more than $16,000 in cash, plus hundreds of toys. Employees took care of 1,005 angels off the Angel Tree.  Their goal was to serve 825 angels. 60 bikes were among the toys donated. Scene Video: Koch Donation for Salvation Army A family even got the crib they needed.  Audrey and Marcus Espinoza's one-year-old son Thomas has a heart issues and faces surgery.

The Salvation Army is helping dozens deal with the sting of high utility bills this summer. Twenty to 30 families are currently receiving assistance in Wichita. "Our staff has some guidelines that they go by, they of course check out each of their bills as they come in with them and then they'll be able to check out those guidelines and see what's appropriate for them," said Douglas Rowland of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army offers the money on a regular basis for people who are unable to keep-up with utility costs.

The Salvation Army is still thousands of dollars away from its Christmas goal of $1.7 million.  It's hoping last minute donations will help ensure everyone in need gets help this holiday season. An anonymous donor plans to help by matching all donations put in the Salvation Army's red kettles Christmas Eve.  Donations will be matched up to $8,000.  "People who donate to a red kettle on Saturday will have their donations working double  time in our community," said Douglas Rowland, Major and Wichita City Commander  with The Salvation Army.

Wichita police are looking for suspects after a homeless man was stabbed early Saturday morning.  It happened around 3:15 in the 400 block of N. Market. Police say the man walked to the Salvation Army building after being stabbed in the shoulder.  He was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Police followed a trail of blood from the Salvation Army to a group of other homeless people sleeping about a block away. Those people are now being interviewed. Police have not made any arrests.

A key leader in serving the needs of the Wichita community is taking on a new role in Kansas City. Douglas Rowland, Salvation Army Major and Wichita City Commander, is leaving his post of five years. He and his wife, Major Janet Rowland, are relocating to take on a similar role with the Kansas City headquarters. The Rowlands said they are sad to be leaving such a compassionate community. "We plan to come back and visit when we can," Major Rowland said. The Rowlands leave behind a legacy of kindness and humility.

Traditionally, there are 12 days of Christmas.  But three very special days of giving started Thursday. It was a busy scene on east Douglass in Wichita, as the Salvation Army began this year's Angel Tree give away. Along with toys for more than nine thousand youngsters,  families in need also get food, stocking stuffers, and gift cards. It's a big time for those receiving...and for those giving...... Salvation Army major Douglas Rowland tells us "The families are coming in and experiencing of course this great gift that they are receiving from the community...but then I look back and see the volunteers who are here...who come year after year and they're excited about it and they're giving so much.

More than 200 staff, faculty and students from Friends University took a break from regular schedules on Monday. They came together to organize gifts for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree and Star of Hope programs. The gifts will be distributed to more than three thousand area families, including nearly 10-thousand kids. The school's Campus Visit Coordinator, Deb Bolen tells us, "The best part about today is everybody gets together and you get to see everybody you maybe havn't seen for a while and we're like a family.

An anonymous donor leaves an impressive gift in a Salvation Army kettle.  The gold coin was dropped in a kettle at Dillon's at Harry and Webb last week. The coin is valued at nearly $1,700.  This is the first time in more than five year the Salvation Army of Wichita has received a gold coin in a kettle.  "It's always a blessing to witness the generosity of Wichitans during the holiday season, and we're especially amazed when we find gold coins," said Douglas Rowland, Major and Wichita City Commander with The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is helping dozens deal with the sting of high utility bills this summer. Twenty to 30 families are currently receiving assistance in Wichita. "Our staff has some guidelines that they go by, they of course check out each of their bills as they come in with them and then they'll be able to check out those guidelines and see what's appropriate for them," said Douglas Rowland of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army offers the money on a regular basis for people who are unable to keep-up with utility costs.

The Salvation Army 2011 Mission of Hope announces that local income donations totaled $1,609,919. When the final fundraising numbers were recently tallied, the Army discovered a significant increase in donations from 2010. Wichita Commander Major Douglas Rowland says, "wW are grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Wichita community.We were blessed to experience a five percent increase from last year here in Wichita. While on the national level, our organization set a fundraising record.

The Salvation Army is still thousands of dollars away from its Christmas goal of $1.7 million.  It's hoping last minute donations will help ensure everyone in need gets help this holiday season. An anonymous donor plans to help by matching all donations put in the Salvation Army's red kettles Christmas Eve.  Donations will be matched up to $8,000.  "People who donate to a red kettle on Saturday will have their donations working double  time in our community," said Douglas Rowland, Major and Wichita City Commander  with The Salvation Army.

An anonymous corporate donor has offered to put up $100,000 to help meet the holiday shortfall for three local charities. Congressman Mike Popmeo announced Friday that the donor contacted him about helping Operation Holiday, The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. "This act of generosity truly represents the very best of Wichita, South Central Kansas, and the Spirit of Christmas," Pompeo said. The donor has created a challenge grant to try and raise more money for those in need.

Piles of angels sit on the Salvation Army table at Towne West Mall.  Many still hang from the Christmas tree.  Major Douglas Rowland says more than two-thousand kids in the Wichita area still don't know if Santa is coming. "We just [need] to get people thinking to remember now is the time, it's that time of year, and the need is there.  We've got to get this done and this is the weekend to get it done,” Rowland said. Salvation Army volunteer Juana Lopez helps with the Angel Tree program.  Her children were angels last year.  They're on the tree this year too. “We've got toys!

They rely on volunteers to help those in need, but the Salvation Army in Dodge City says it is in need itself... of more volunteers. The organization says last year it had more than 70 people volunteer to help with its annual red kettle campaign. Officials say this year they have not had as many stepping up to help. Officials believe part of it is the bad economy, which has people working more and with less free time to work for free. "We need more, we need more," says Captain Joaquin Rangel with the Salvation Army.