Dear Santa,
I recently thought about a gentleman in our last Salvation Army officer assignment who served as a member of our Advisory Board. He is the president of a major company and has an extremely busy schedule, but still found the time to serve as the chairman of The Salvation Army Advisory Board. I asked him one day what prompted him to become so involved.
He told me that one Christmas Eve when he was a young boy, his family received a knock at their front door. His mother went to answer the door and a young woman was standing there. She asked his mother if she might be able to help their family with some food for Christmas. Her husband had just lost his job and she didn't know where to turn. Much to his disappointment, his mother closed the door on the young woman. He said he was shocked, hurt and started crying badly. He pleaded with her, "Mom, mom, can't you please help them? I feel so bad for them!"
His mother was taken by surprise but then she opened the door, ran out after the woman, took her into the house, and gave her some money to help their family out.
He said when he got older he never forgot what happened that night and he wanted to do something to help in a bigger way. So he became involved in the Salvation Army Advisory Board, became the Chairperson and continues to help countless people every year.
It makes me think of one word that our founder William Booth used to describe what we do: OTHERS.
Talk to you soon, Santa.
Your friend,
Captain Debbie
Please help by giving generously to the Sun-Gazette and the Salvation Army Santa Fund.
You can help make this a brighter holiday season for local families by making a contribution in person to any branch of M&T Bank or by mail to M&T Bank at 405 River Ave.; at the Salvation Army, 457 Market St.; or the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
The Santa Fund is a fundraiser organized by the Sun-Gazette and the Salvation Army to help local families in need.
