Brigadier Gertrude Purdue: A Century of Compassion – Annual Dinner on May 18, 2009

The tables are being set, the food is being prepared and the speaker is confirmed. The Salvation Army's Annual Dinner is quickly approaching. All that is missing is you. This year's annual dinner is honoring Brigadier Gertrude Purdue on her 100th birthday for a lifetime of tireless service. Willard Scott, famous Today Show centenarian birthday announcer, will be the keynote speaker. The dinner will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 18, 2009, at The Holiday Inn - University of Memphis. Tickets are available for $125 and a table of 10 can be purchased for $1,250.

Gertrude has spent her entire life serving God and her fellow man. Although small in stature, a fraction over five feet tall, her positive effects are enormous as she has touched thousands of peoples' lives throughout the country. She served diligently as a Salvation Army officer for more than 40 years – her last 11 in Memphis. When she retired in 1973, she definitely did not retire from helping others. In fact, her efforts sped up. In 2000, the Purdue Center of Hope was dedicated in honor of the work Gertrude and her late husband, Brigadier Bramwell Purdue, had done for the Memphis community. The Purdue Center of Hope houses many of The Salvation Army's healing programs.

Willard Scott, the most famous of all birthday announcers, is the ideal keynote speaker for the annual dinner and Gertrude's birthday celebration. He has distinguished himself for his public-service and humanitarian acts, and has been involved with the broadcast industry for more than 50 years. Scott is also a distinguished author, was the original "Ronald McDonald" character and is the voice of the J.M. Smucker Company.

At the event, a showing of antique cars to demonstrate the advances of the past 100 years will be displayed as well as a collection of vintage Salvation Army uniforms.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event
or would like to purchase tickets, call Elizabeth Duncan at
(901) 260-9130.

The Salvation Army has launched a Donate Your Age Campaign in honor of Gertrude's 100th birthday. The goal is to raise $100,000 in 100 days. Memphians are asked to "donate their age" and those who do not want to reveal their own age can donate Gertrude's age -- $100. All proceeds from the dinner and Donate Your Age Campaign will be used to fund programs at the Purdue Center of Hope. For more information about this initiative visit www.donateyourageonline.com.

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