Fourth Through Sixth Grade Students Set an Example by Volunteering with The Salvation Army

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, June 10, 2008 - While many local churches are hosting children in Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer, Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) is going one step further with their VBS by promoting volunteerism among fourth through sixth graders who will team up with The Salvation Army.

Abbye Pates, missions associate at CUMC, will lead a group of about 100 students, to participate in several days of volunteer work with The Salvation Army in Memphis during their VBS Week, June 16-19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Pates organized the volunteer dates with Cherita Hopper, The Salvation Army's director of volunteer services. Pates said CUMC is involved in many different types of community service projects and she expressed the importance of volunteerism.

"It is important for the children to learn about serving at a young age," Pates said, "The Salvation Army is the perfect organization for us to volunteer with because it teaches our students the importance of humanity."

The VBS group will participate in repotting plants and planting flowers at The Purdue Center of Hope. Since the work will be predominantly outside, Hopper has a back-up plan in case of bad weather. The children will also be packing toiletry bags for the Single Women's Lodge, bags for children attending The Salvation Army camp, as well as helping in the childcare area.

"We are very pleased that Christ United Methodist Church is bringing this group of children to volunteer at The Salvation Army," said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander for The Salvation Army. "I hope these students will take to heart the message of helping others, and that they will continue to do so in their daily lives."

For more information about volunteering with The Salvation Army in Memphis, contact Cherita Hopper at 901-543-8586 x 120.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army's work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

In 2007, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 17,855 people, provided more than 65,000 nights of lodging, and served 208,251 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.

CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130