Imagine a flowing fountain of chocolate surrounded by lush live plants, mouth watering appetizers and shopping

galore. If this makes your mouth water, the Prime Osborn Convention Center is the place to be on March 22nd! That’s the date of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s 26th Annual Celebrity Chefs Tasting Luncheon and Silent Auction. This popular fund raising event will be held from 11 am to 1 pm at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in downtown Jacksonville. Individual food booths will feature delicious recipes served up by prominent local leaders in the areas of art, philanthropy, business, sports, government, media and entertainment. Event attendees will enjoy assorted recipes including entrees, desserts, and an elegant chocolate fountain, graciously donated by Peterbrooke Chocolates, and the added bonus of some lively chats with the “chefs”. The silent auction will be staged in the center of the event hall for easy previewing of the items offered for bidding. Doors open at 10:30 am, so come early for a sneak peek! All auction items have been donated by local businesses and private donors and include everything from art and antiques to home and fashion accessories to certificates for travel, rounds of golf and personal services.

Beautiful live plants have been a popular feature of Celebrity Chefs luncheons in recent years, and this year’s plant supplier, Trad’s Garden Center, has generously agreed to donate 20% of its plant sales at the event to The Salvation Army.Tickets are $30 and include admission to the luncheon and auction, free parking and a recipe book that contains all the recipes served at the event. You may purchase tickets by visiting our website at: www.salvationarmynefl.org. Tickets may also be purchased by calling (904) 301-4841. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event.

Proceeds from the luncheon, auction and plant sales will be used to support the mission of The Salvation Army – “Doing the Most Good” in our community 365 days year! Funds raised from last year’s Celebrity Chefs event provided support for the Army’s Child Development Center, Senior Center, Adult Rehabilitation Center and various social service programs. So, make plans to indulge… for charity’s sake!

Winter /Spring 2012

theFrontline

Doing the Most Good.

Come indulge, for Charity’s Sake!

Mail completed coupon and check or money order for $30 for each ticket to:The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary • 328 North Ocean Street • Jacksonville, Florida 32202

❏ Please mail my ticket (s) to me at address above ❏ Will pick up my tickets at will-call table * Mail orders must be received no later than March 16, 2012

THE SALVATION ARMY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA • MAJOR DEAN HINSON, AREA COMMANDER

Thursday, March 22, 201226th Annual Celebrity Chef

Tasting Luncheonand Silent Auction

11 AM – 1 PMTickets $30

Prime OsbornConvention Center

Ticket Price includesfree parking and cookbook!

SAVE THE DATE!

www.salvationarmynefl.org

Buy tickets onlineby visiting our website at:

Name:________________________________________________ Daytime Phone:_____________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________________

City:____________________________________________ State: ____________ Zip: ________________

Number of tickets: ____________ Amount Paid: _________________

The Jacksonville Area Command canteen recently participated in an emergency drill with the First Coast Council at the Jacksonville International Airport.

The drill was a mock plane crash resulting in mass casualties. All Northeast Florida hospitals and ambulance companies were involved in the drill as well as other first response agencies.

The Salvation Army was the only Disaster Response Agency involved with food service. The canteen served over 350 individuals participating in the drill. The drill was filmed and will be used for a training tool throughout the nation.

The Salvation Army of NE Florida is seeking volunteer responders to join the Emergency Disaster

Response Teams in Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties.

For more information,please visit www.salarmyeds.org.

The Greater Clearwater Rotary Club recently bestowed the Paul Harris

Fellow award to former club member Major Dean Hinson in appreciation of his contributions to Rotary International, the Clearwater community and causes supported by the club.

On behalf of the Clearwater Rotary, Charles Towers presented Major Dean Hinson with the Paul Harris Medallion and Certificate at the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, where Major Hinson is an Honorary Member. Major Hinson became an Honorary Member of the

Rotary Club of J a c k s o n v i l l e in November 2010.

The Paul Harris Fellow award is named after the attorney who founded Rotary in Chicago in 1905 with three business associates.

The fellowship was established in his honor in 1957. This recognition means that the award recipient has contributed over $1,000 to The

Rotary Foundation, which programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship. Rotarians also designate a Paul Harris Fellow to recognize a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives and mission of the Rotary Foundation to build world understanding and peace.

Congratulations Major Hinson!

Dear Friends,It is with great joy that I take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful way you responded to our community needs this Christmas. You will see in this newsletter, the multiple ways that lives were touched as we celebrated our Savior’s birth. None of which would be possible without your unselfish generosity. At our Toy Store reception, I had the opportunity to show Mayor Alvin Brown our loaned warehouse filled

with angel tree presents stretched out as far as the eye could see. Four thousand bags filled with toys and clothes were organized on a grid waiting for pick up the next two days. Hundreds of volunteers came ready to distribute thousands of gifts purchased by people all across our county.

When you add this visual to the incredible increase in our Christmas kettles and the deliciously prepared holiday meals on Thanksgiving

and Christmas Eve lovingly served by many volunteers; you have a marvelous picture of a caring c o m m u n i t y thinking of others before themselves.

Thank you very much for making this possible and God bless you.

Local Canteen involved in Mock Plane Crash Drill

Major Dean Hinson presented with Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Award

The Major’s MessageMAJOR DEAN HINSON, NORTHEAST FLORIDA AREA COMMANDER

Home Again St. Johns Inc., a coalition of organizations assisting the homeless,

is entering the final stage of negotiations to lease the Salvation Army’s 13.5-acre property at 1850 Florida 207 in St. Johns County.

The organization plans to build facilities to care for homeless men, women and children.

Major Ron Mott, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of St. Johns County, said the one-stop homeless

center couldn’t come soon enough. “The homeless population in St. Johns County is exploding, as our economy continues to tumble,” explained Mott, “This facility will be a blessing, not only for the homeless, but the community as well.”

Major Mott praised the number of organizations who have worked together to address the needs of the homeless population in the county. “Our hope is by joining forces with other organizations and people in the community, we can work to successfully address the challenge of homelessness in St. Johns County.”

The site is located on State Road 207 at the current Salvation

Army site between I-95 and State Road 312.

The site selection committee has researched more than a dozen locations in the county and visited other homeless centers in other cities to learn what worked the best. The facility may include a shelter, food pantry, job counseling, and social services.

The site selection committee chose this spot because of its size and because The Salvation Army offered to lease it to Home Again St. Johns Inc., for a mere dollar a year.

The Salvation Army Hope House ministered to families in need in 2011 in many ways. While most of the financial aid we disburse comes from grants, private donors provide for the majority of our clients’ other physical needs. Individuals, businesses, local clubs & churches donate food & cash contributions for our Emergency Food Pantry, linens & clothing for our free Clothes Closet & money for our Emergency Travel Fund. In addition to providing gifts to 250 senior citizens who participated in our Senior Angel Tree Program at Christmas, we were able to provide hope to so many others: Emergency Travel/Gas ............................................................................................... 268 Financial Aid ............................................................................................................... 162 Emergency Food Bags ..............................................................................................2472 Pieces of Clothing Disbursed ...................................................................................................................9508 Number of Households Visiting for Emergency Food or Clothes ...................................................................................1583

And we now bid farewell to Food Lion - a faithful & generous supporter & friend to us in our community. Food Lion was a major supporter of our Emergency Food Pantry for years; serving as our main provider of bread, desserts & deli foods. We will sorely miss them as supporters and friends. We are praying for the staff and management as they make their way toward new jobs. We say “thank you” to them for all they did for those in need in Nassau County. Goodbye, friends. You will be missed in our community.

Homeless Facility on the Horizon in St. Johns County

News from Nassau

The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida would like to thank everyone who contributed to

our 2011 Christmas Cheer program. Through the efforts of countless volunteers, donors, businesses and community members, The Salvation Army was able to serve making the holiday season brighter for thousands of hurting families and countless individuals across the First Coast.

Over 8,000 volunteers, giving over 15,000 hours of their time within the span of 3 months, helped to make all of the programs a success. Volunteers rang the kettle bell, sorted clothing, counted kettle money, stuffed stockings, filled food baskets, served holiday meals to the hungry and much much more.

No matter how many hours you gave, or how big of a project you took on, you made a difference in someone’s life and for that, we thank you.

As a result of the community’s generous donation of time, money and resources, The Salvation Army of NE Florida was able to distribute new toys and gifts to over 6,000 children as a part of the Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family programs. Because of the compassion in our community, The Salvation Army was able to distribute hundreds of bikes to these children as well.

In addition, many corporations throughout the community contributed to help make the program a success.

Ashley Furniture HomeStores encouraged the community to donate new toys at their locations, as well as encouraging their customers to adopt Angels from one of their three Angel Trees. Bank of America participated again in 2011 by adopting nearly 400 angels! Due to the generosity of the United States Navy Fleet Readiness Center, over

200 needy children received toys and clothing on Christmas morning, along with 200 filled stockings! The TransSiberian Orchestra donated $1 for every ticket sold for a one night performance in December. A whopping $6,000.00 check donation was presented to Major Dean Hinson on the evening of

the show! Also, The Jacksonville Symphony delivered a truckload of donated toys reserved for “forgotten angels” (children who didn’t get adopted off a tree). The toys were generously donated from patrons attending Holiday Pops performances, The Messiah performance and Gift of the Magi family concert. Guests of The Loop Restaurants assisted in covering all local locations of the restaurant’s walls with hundreds of Paper Kettles by adding a donation to their food bill. Other corporations that contributed include, Deutsche Bank, Faith Christian Center, City of Jacksonville, JCPenney and more.

Major Dean Hinson, Area Commander of NE Florida, reminds the community that The Salvation Army gives assistance all year round, not just at Christmas. “We are working all year to meet the most basic and crucial needs of those in our community. We thank the community for their work during the holiday season, as well as all year long, in helping us make a difference in the lives of those around us.”

“You made a difference in

someone’s life and for that, we

thank you.”

Christmas 2011

Mayor Alvin Brown kicked off the season of giving outside one of his favorite places, Winn Dixie, by ringing the red kettle bell! Mayor Brown dropped the first dollar into the Bucket (actually, it was a $20 spot!). The Mayor enjoyed donning the red apron so much, he rang 4 more times in December, raising over $700 to help those in need. Mayor Brown attended our ToyShop Open House and served the homeless meal, along with his family, on Thanksgiving day. We are so grateful for the support of the Mayor and the City of Jacksonville.

More than 300 guests feasted on ham, homemade dinner rolls, mashed potatoes and Christmas cookies during a holiday dinner at the Red Shield Lodge in downtown Jacksonville. The Salvation Army held a Christmas Eve meal as well, providing nourishing and festive meals for all to enjoy. The meals wereaccompanied with a Christmas message to remind people Jesus loves every one of them and we do too! Over 100 volunteers assisted with the preparation and serving of the meal.

While out on injured reserve, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end, Austen Lane, dedicated his spare time by ringing the bell at the Riverside Publix. Jaguars players and their families support The Salvation Army all year long through service projects, turkey donations, the Celebrity Chef event and much more. We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Shahid Khan, new owner of the team in teal. We are looking forward to the upcoming season and getting to know Mr. Khan!

You Rocked the Red Kettle!From Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine, people sacrificed their hard-earned cash to contribute to the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign. The total raised for the entire Northeast Florida Command was a whopping $757,025! This amount exceeds our goal and surpasses last year’s amount!

In Jacksonville, The Church of Jacksonville raised nearly $28,000, the most money raised by a church! The downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville raised a total of $8,800, more than any other group in Jacksonville.

Thank you for ROCKING THE RED KETTLE this Christmas Season! Whether you gave $1 or $1,000, we APPRECIATE you! May God Bless you in 2012!

Christmas 2011

The week before Christmas, Ashley Furniture HomeStores surprised two local families with an extreme makeover of their homes. They

teamed up with Action News 47/ Fox 30 to present the families with a Christmas one could only dream of. Ashley Furniture redecorated the family’s living room, kitchen and bedrooms with all the essentials needed to bring comfort and warmth to a home. A team of volunteers spent the afternoon updating the rooms with new furniture, bedding and floor and window treatments.

In addition to the m a k e o v e r , . s t a f f members.providedan abundance of toys, educational.games and clothing for the children. The gifts, which were hand wrapped

by staff and family members from Ashley Furniture and Action News, could not have come at a more crucial time in their lives.

The Stout family had just been notified that the electricity in their mobile home was to be disconnected in two days. They had been served an eviction notice earlier that week, despite attempts to work out a payment plan with their landlord.

They had no funds to purchase a single gift for their medically fragile daughter, let alone a Christmas tree for their home. While decorators assembled the furniture, staff members from Action News went shopping for a tree.

They decorated the tree with lights and ornaments and snuck it inside in time for the final reveal. It was a joyous and emotional moment to say the least!

Single mom, Gloria Garcia, was forced to leave her home due to a serious mold issue that was affecting the health of her children.

The unexpected moving expenses and doctor bills resulted in a serious financial set back for Ms. Garcia. She had no additional income to purchase gifts or winter clothing for her three children. Never seeking assistance before, Gloria stopped by The Salvation Army and applied for holiday help. “Angels” from Ashley Furniture and Action News adopted the Garcia family through the Adopt-A Family program. While Gloria and her children played outside, brand new beds, tables, chairs and bedding were secretly coming through the front door.

You can imagine the disbelief on her face when she opened the door! Not only did she have an entire house full of new furniture, there were toys, clothing, household goods and even a new computer! Ms. Garcia was at a loss for words. In between her tears, she muttered, “God answered my prayer and sent angels. I am so blessed.”

We want to thank Ashley Furniture HomeStores and Action News 47/ Fox 30 for working together to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and continuing to bring hope and dignity to the tens of thousands of individuals we serve each year.

Offering Hope to Families in Crisis

Heritage Brass is an age 55+ brass band. The average age is 71 years and reflects

2350 years of combined playing in Salvation Army bands. The band is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and members come from various Salvation Army Corps (churches) in Ontario. The musicians have retired from a variety of careers: educators, tradesmen, executives, salesmen, pastors, accountants, and engineers.

They rehearse weekly and have at least one engagement per month.

Heritage Brass Band has traveled extensively throughout Ontario, presenting concerts for various churches, seniors groups, annual festivals and Salvation Army functions, as well as at the Ontario Legislature and on national television. During the last fifteen years, Heritage Brass has performed at the Jubilee

Concerts, held at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.

Extended tours have taken the band to Florida, P e n n s y l v a n i a , . B r i t i s h Columbia, Newfoundland, England, and Scotland. While in England, in 2006, the band played in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to thousands of

visitors. Heritage Brass has been invited to return to the United Kingdom in 2013.

The Heritage Brass performs on Monday, March 19th, 2012 at 7:30 PM at The Salvation Army of Clay County located at 2795 CR 220 in Middleburg.

You won’t want to miss this spectacular performance! The concert is free and everyone is invited! We hope to see you on March 19th for an evening of brass you’ll never forget!

“I sat totally mesmerized through a two hour concert as enjoyable as any I can remember in recent years.”(Julian Bright, the British Bandsman, November, 2006)

For more information, please call Clay County Corps at (904) 276-6677.

Founded in 2010 by Ashley Furniture HomeStore, A Hope to Dream seeks to provide less fortunate children a new mattress set that is essential to a

good night’s sleep. For every mattress sold at Ashley, $5 is donated to provide mattress sets to local children in need. This Christmas, 50 children participating in the The Salvation Army Angel Tree program received a new mattress set, compliments of Ashley Furniture HomeStore.

“Children are a vital part of our growing First Coast community,” explained Howard Fineman, CEO of Ashley Furniture, “We believe by helping a child sleep well, they are poised to lead a healthier and more productive life.”

Ashley Furniture will donate 200 mattress sets a year in the Jacksonville community. If you know of a family that could benefit from this program, please email AHopeToDream@ashleyjax.com for more information.

Thank you Ashley Furniture HomeStore for having a heart for our tiniest neighbors in need. Sweet dreams!

50 mattress sets ready to be delivered to children in need on the First Coast.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

Canada’s “Heritage Brass” to perform at Clay County Corps

328 North Ocean Street • Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Address Service Requested

Mark your calendar for the26th Annual Celebrity Chefs

Tasting Luncheon & Silent Auction

Thursday, March 22, 201211 AM – 1 PM

Prime Osborn Convention Center

Ticket information can be foundby visiting our website at:

www.salvationarmynefl.orgMore details inside!

Indulge yourself…for Charity’s Sake!

Administrative OfficesArea Commanders:Majors Dean and Pam Hinson328 N. Ocean StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (904) 301-4875

The Salvation ArmyChild Development CenterDirector: Kristin Smith-Jones318 N. Ocean StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (904) 665-0102

Towers Social ServicesCenter and Red Shield LodgeDirector: Paul Stasi900 W. Adams StreetJacksonville, FL 32204Phone: (904) 356-8641

Jacksonville Citadel CorpsCorps Officers:Captain Ray and Lt. Shalanda Jackson17 E. Church StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (904) 366-9222

Jacksonville Senior CenterDirector: Lieutenant Shalanda Jackson17 E. Church StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (904) 366-9222

The Salvation Army Hope HouseManager: Mary Moore410 S. 9th StreetFernandina Beach, FL 32035Phone: (904) 277-1556

Baker County Service CenterP.O. Box 52508Jacksonville, FL 32201Phone: (904) 301-4875

Clay County Center forWorship and ServiceCorps Officers:Captains Angel and Valerie Calderon2795 County Road 220Middleburg, FL 32068Phone: (904) 276-6677

Putnam County Service CenterP.O. Box 52508Jacksonville, FL 32201Phone: (904) 301-4875

St. Augustine CorpsCorps Officers: Majors Ron andRebecca Mott1850 SR 207St. Augustine, FL 32086Phone: (904) 824-6880

Adult Rehabilitation CenterAdministrators: Majors Ernie and Darlene Steadham10900 Beach Blvd.Jacksonville, FL 32216Phone: (904) 641-2122

Misdemeanor ProbationDirector: Colleen Reardon328 N. Ocean StreetJacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (904) 301-4800

Area Command ChaplainMajor Marge Strommer

To make a donation, call:Tania Yount, Director of Development(904) 301-4855

To Volunteer, call:Calanthea Hires,Director of Volunteer Services(904) 301-4846

Our Mission StatementThe Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Mary A. AshleySteve BacalisHank BonarCapt. Aaron L. Bowman (R)Tyrie BoyerCecilia BryantLouis CostanzaMort CrimArthur CroftonD. Clint Dawkins, IIIRADM Kevin Delaney (R)Gil Feltel, Jr.Mark HandArthur “Buddy” JacobsHobart Joost, Jr.Stephen JoostM. Richard Lewis, Jr.Dr. Richard LipseyErnestine Moody-RobinsonRicardo Morales, Jr.Dr. Robert Morris, Jr.Joseph M. Ripley, Jr.Sheriff John H. RutherfordMike SchneiderJennie ShadMatt ShirkA.C. “Chip” Skinner, IIIJohn P. Sullivan

Henry Turner, Jr.Dr. Robert VanCleveMike WeinsteinGregory WellsteadDavid WingardWayne YoungEmilio Zeller, III

Life MembersJack CarusoJack ColemanJohn W. Connolly, Jr.Robert F. DarbyPhilip S. May, Jr.Charles D. Towers, Jr.

Emeritus MembersWilliam BarnettDan Coffman, Jr.Blanche CogginWalter DickinsonMarvin HarperRita JoostArthur W. MilamLinda MoselyRobert ReadHans Tanzler, Jr.

THE SALVATION ARMY NORTHEAST FLORIDAAREA COMMAND ADVISORY BOARD 2012-2013

Executive BoardTom Lee, Chairman • Mike Buresh, Vice Chairman

Sally Ragsdale, Secretary • W. Hamilton Traylor, Treasurer

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDJACKSONVILLE, FLPERMIT NO. 2329