Upcoming Fundraiser Supports Salvation Army Efforts
The Salvation Army of Jackson County has recently transitioned the shelter in Pascagoula from a 24 hours a day, seven days a week shelter to a shelter open on select days and times with classes designed to lift people up and help them grow out of poverty. To help fund the shelter, Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg will perform at the Salvation Army’s annual fundraising dinner on Sept. 24.
The shelter is now open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has capacity for 10 men and 10 women to take showers per day. Guests can sign up when they arrive. Toiletries are provided and towels may be borrowed. Guests can also sign up to do one load of laundry the next day with four loads per day maximum capacity at the shelter.
The day shelter allows for the Salvation Army to provide life skills classes, case management, laundry, showers, a meal, and so on while the funding for a night shelter is greatly reduced in favor of bridge programs or rapid rehousing where people are placed in a community in their own space.
“Our hope is to provide support to the marginalized in a way that they can gain the tools needed to change their future,” said Major Anita Coldwell, area commander.
The classes are new and focus to empower and promote any and all of the shelter’s guests – whether homeless or coming to the day shelter for leisure. Current guests have been asking for ways to learn more about personal health and community resources, so the class schedule is focused to address the areas of finance, health, job preparedness, and resource management.
“We are excited to have people in or community who have expressed interest to lead the classes on their expertise, says Lt. Carla Lawson, Corps Officer.
Last year, Jackson County social services provided 65,4654 meals, groceries, and produce to families in need, according to a press release from the Salvation Army. To support these efforts, the Salvation Army hosts an annual fundraising dinner each year. This year, Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg will perform at the annual fundraiser event, “Live Refreshed,” at the Hilton Garden Inn.
“We are very excited to have Dennis Swanberg as our entertainer for our annual fundraiser,” Lawson said. “I know that comedy can bring people together, but my hope is that the community will see that coming together is how The Salvation Army impacts the community on a daily basis. “
The event will be held on Sept. 24 with the silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the keynote speaker and entertainment.
Sponsorship packages are also available:
- Title Sponsor $20,000
- VIP Sponsor $7,500
- Red Shield Sponsor $4,000
- Friends of the Lieutenants Sponsor $2,000
- Friends of the Corps $500
- Individual $200
Ingalls Shipbuilding is the Title Sponsor for the event.
Those interested in sponsorships, donating a silent auction item, or attending, can call 228-762-7222 and ask for Kathi Webb.
