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The Salvation Army Annual Dinner Celebrates Brigadier
Gertrude Purdue's 100th Birthday
Willard Scott will be Keynote Speaker
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, February 5, 2009 -
The Salvation Army is honoring
Brigadier Gertrude Purdue on her 100th birthday for her many years of tireless
service to others. Celebrated TV personality, Willard Scott, the most famous of
all celebrators of the 100 age milestone, will be the keynote speaker at the
organization’s annual dinner. The dinner will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 18,
2009, at The Holiday Inn - University of Memphis.
Brigadier Purdue has spent
her entire life serving others and fighting for the downtrodden. Although small
in stature, a mere five feet tall, her positive effects are enormous as she has
touched thousands of peoples’ lives throughout the community. She served
diligently as a Salvation Army officer for more than 40 years – her last 11 in
Memphis. Brigadier Gertrude Purdue’s retirement in 1973 did not slow her down
from helping others. In fact, her efforts sped up.
Brigadier Purdue’s
accomplishments are many. She chairs The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary League
of Mercy Committee, has volunteered more than 4,000 hours to the National Veterans Hospital;
began a partnership with the Junior League of Memphis to create a sliding scale
daycare for low-income families; has been the recipient of dozens of prominent
volunteer awards; and still manages to play the piano weekly for church services
at The Salvation Army Ben Lear South Citadel Corps. In 2000, The Salvation
Army’s Purdue Center of Hope was dedicated in honor of her and her late husband,
Brigadier Bramwell Purdue. The Purdue Center of Hope houses the Emergency
Family Shelter, Renewal Place, the Single Women’s Lodge, Hardin-Prentiss Child
Care and Learning Center, Community Intake & Assessment/ Permanent Supportive
Housing Hotline and administration offices for The Salvation Army.
“Through her dedication to
the community, Gertrude Purdue has been a beacon of light in Memphis for more
than 40 years,” said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander of The Salvation Army.
“We want to honor her 100th birthday and recognize her continued acts of
service, and we are thrilled Willard Scott will be able to join us.”
Scott, NBC’s The Today’s
Show centenarian birthday announcer, is the ideal keynote speaker for the annual
dinner. 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 book author, was the original “Ronald McDonald”
character and is the voice of the J.M. Smucker Company.
Scott has received many
awards and honors throughout his career. He was named Washingtonian of the year
by Washington Magazine; was recognized by President Ronald Regan with the
Private Sector Award for Public Service; was named the National Society of
Fundraisers Humanitarian in Residence; and was the first recipient of the Golden
Circle for 50 years of significant contribution to the broadcast industry.
Tickets for this fundraising
event for The Salvation Army are $125. Tables for 10 can be purchased for
$1,250. As part of the birthday activities, Memphians will have the opportunity
to “donate their age,” in honor of Brigadier Purdue’s birthday. Those who do not
want to reveal their own age are asked to donate Brigadier Purdue’s age. $100
can be given in her honor. All proceeds from the dinner and Donate Your Age
Campaign will be used to fund programs at the Purdue Center of Hope.
“This fundraiser helps
ensure our continued mission to the Memphis community is fulfilled, something
that Gertrude Purdue has dedicated her life to,” said Major Woodcock. “It seems
only appropriate that this be her birthday celebration as well.”
For more information about
the dinner or to make a reservation, contact Elizabeth Duncan at (901) 260-9130.
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.
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CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233
Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130
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