Yesterday afternoon I was honored to be invited to a luncheon at the Fountains where we discussed last years success as being the best year in the history of our local Salvation Army Chapter.
Because of so many of you, business and personal volunteers achieved a goal in which the Salvation Army never expected. In all the years past, the Salvation Army had to hire Bell Ringers and in 2008 they didn't have to pay a single person, thanks to YOU. The numbers weren't just up, they were way up!
The main topic of conversation was actually about all 500+ of YOU! The most special moments yesterday were the conversations about personal experiences expressed on this Blog by volunteers as well as the stories many shared about the people that were so giving. Clearly that touched many hearts. As many of you as I would like to thank, (500+) there's just not enough room here to do so. Some day soon, however, I will get that list and I will post those names because these people are the true heroes to thousands upon thousands of families in need, especially in such trying times.
The Salvation Army presented me with a beautiful jacket in which I will proudly wear next year. A Partnership has been born and together we can ALL make so many lives better in our time of need. From this point forward we will be getting together monthly with the Salvation Army to create charts and again reach out to all of you once again simply for your time. The rewards are unexplainable but one thing I can assure you, you'll become a new human being once you've experienced it.
I hope we can depend on many of you returning this year and again, Salisbury News will be honored to promote your company for volunteering. There will be expanded locations in Salisbury as well as Worcester County. We hope you'll join us and enjoy the gift of giving. Together we CAN have a repeat performance for 2009.
Before I close, more than anything else I want to thank ALL of the people who reached into their pockets and made such unbelievable donations. While there's much to be said about a volunteer that greets you with a smile while ringing a bell, think about how wonderful those volunteers feel when you return that smile and thank them for being there. Clearly this was a win/win for the Eastern Shore.
$499,710.65
THANK YOU!
Dom't tell me a woman camn't keep a secret. I knew you were getting the jacket! Hah!
ReplyDeleteAll jokes aside, I learned a very valuable lesson this year when I volunteered for the first time ever to be a bellringer. I had thought about it once or twice in the past, but it was because of Joe Albero that I finally volunteered, and I will be doing it next time as well.
For any of you out there who haven't stepped up to the plate, I strongly urge you to do so. A few hours of your time costs you nothing, the the richly rewarding experience is well worth it. You can't know jhow rewarding an experience it is until you just do it. You will walk away richer for the experience, I promise you.
Well there you go it is just like the out going Mayor said in the "DD" article today.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Salisbury is going to hell and all you "bloggers" are to blame.
feels good eh?
ReplyDeleteGood job Joe, But where is Webster?
ReplyDeleteThats great Joe. Way to step up and reach out to the community
ReplyDeleteWell earned Joe! Whether we all agree with you or not, the one thing that cannot be argued is you do what you do watching out for the people. That's something that gets forgotten in the heat of the moment sometime. The bottom line is it is FOR the people!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Joe! Looks like the
ReplyDelete"small segment of mean-spirited people who focus on the negative and constantly suspect conspiracies" came through for a local charity!
Did you see the Daily Rag's article, "Tilghman says Salisbury is 'under siege' by bloggers," in today's paper?
Now that's what I'm talking about. Congrats Joe!! This is simply amazing news. Without you and your support of this organization this never would have happened for them. To all of the volunteers, congrats on a job well done. It's nice to hear some great news for this area. To all of Joe haters all I have to say, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome number; a lot bigger than past averages? What were previous numbers, just out of curiosity? Anyone out there know approximate numbers? I sure did enjoy helping by being a bell ringer for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThats a great report Joe, on the Salvation Armies bell ringing last year. It worked so well because you got involved and made it Goooo!
ReplyDeleteJoe, You made it happen. You ran an unequalled community awarness campaign for the Salvation Army's kettle drive last December. Great job. Looking forward to this year's drive.
ReplyDeletehonestaby
great job joe i shop at the north end walmart thanks to you and the employees for filling the kettle
ReplyDeleteCount me in for a repeat this coming year!
ReplyDeleteNalagirl.
Great job. You made it so easy to volunteer and to fill in last minute emergency vacancies. You are right that everyone who volunteered or donated deserves thanks. So, thank you everyone. Next year I hope that we'll have even more volunteers. It is a very rewarding experience.
ReplyDeleteAs a walmart employee I saw you there, in every different kind of weather condition. Great Job Joe.
ReplyDeleteSince I work with Muir Boda. I have to give him a shout out. You are awsome joe
Grannydragon, thanx for keeping the secret. Joe, you were looking pretty good, but you can't hold a candle to Mike Lewis, there is something about men in uniforms, lol. Capt. Henderson you always look great in uniform. Now Joe, what ya, got to say?
ReplyDeletegreat jacket u deserve it
ReplyDeleteCongrats to everyone involved!
ReplyDeleteFor the People and by the People
where's mike carey?
ReplyDeleteThis blog made me aware that the bell ringers were not all volunteers and I did 10 nights of bell ringing, had some fun and it felt good. I plan to do the same every year from now on.
ReplyDeleteBlaming everything on bloggers is the way Barry accepts full responcibility.