Appreciation

Today is a special day in my calendar as we (The Salvation Army) have the opportunity to say a public thank you to our donors, volunteers and friends. If I truly sit back and consider these people I realize that we would not exist without them. It is one of those great miracles and perhaps one of the greatest examples of true faith. Think about it - we have complete and full confidence that people will send us checks, ring a bell by one of our kettles, buy gifts for a child they don't know, volunteer a day, or several, helping to keep our Thrift Store together.

Today I want to thank all of those people who allow The Salvation Army to exist. Being a displaced Englishman I continue to be absolutely amazed at the generosity of your average American and I believe it is this spirit that allows the USA to be considered a blessed nation. Surely a true blessing is the result of something you do rather than something you receive.

I want to give a special thank you to the members of The Salvation Army Advisory Board and Women's Auxiliary. They give so much of their time, treasure and talent and with such a great attitude and level of enthusiasm. It is a joy to serve God in Fredericksburg.