SALVATION ARMY: 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

The Salvation Army has a simple mission: to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and to help people who are in need. Since its founding in 1865, the Salvation Army has heeded that mission around the world. And for the past 100 years, it has had a presence in Cape Girardeau.

The centennial of Salvation Army work in this area has been celebrated through a variety of recent events, including a visit by Commissioner Robert Watson, the organization's national commander and the highest ranking official to visit Cape Girardeau since Evangeline Booth, daughter of founders William and Catherine Booth, came for the dedication of the Arena Building in 1940.

Part of the celebration included burning the mortgage for the Salvation Army's new building, called a citadel, on Sprigg Street where it serves both the spiritual and physical needs of thousands of individuals every year. To do this meant raising more than $1 million dollars, and this effort was led by Fred "Rock" and Judy Wilferth, who were recognized with the Salvation Army's prestigious Others Award.

Since the early part of this about-to-end century, the Salvation Army has been involved in holiday efforts to make Christmas a special time for so many less fortunate people. This year's Tree of Lights campaign, for example, raised $176,000, thanks to the generosity of the community.

Community involvement in the Salvation Army has been a hallmark of its operations for years. Hundreds of volunteers each year find time to help in ways that are often immeasurable. By and large, these volunteers are active in other churches but who support the Salvation Army because of its strong and time-tested commitment to disaster victims and others who need help.

The Salvation Army is part of a strong foundation of religious commitment in the Cape Girardeau community, and we salute them for their century of service and heeding the call to go into all the world.