Across the State of Georgia, The Salvation Army will be celebrating its 59th annual National Salvation Army Week with a variety of events and activities to honor donors, supporters and beneficiaries of Salvation Army programs. Events will highlight the importance of Americans giving back to their local communities to support their fellow neighbor at a time when many families and individuals continue to struggle to make ends meet. The very first National Salvation Army Week was declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower between November 18 and December 4, 1954 as a reminder to Americans that they should give freely of themselves.

Mrs. Deal will take a tour of The Salvation Army’s First Stop Center and the Kroc Center followed by a reception to honor and recognize volunteers, donors, city officials and Mr. Allen Everett, a veteran who successfully completed The Salvation Army’s Men’s Skills Training Program and is in his 3^rd year of full-time employment at The Salvation Army.

Since The Salvation Army began its social service work in the United States in 1880, the organization has grown into one of the largest social service providers in the country. Each year, The Salvation Army directly supports nearly 30 million Americans through a variety of programs including transitional and family shelters, feeding programs, senior centers, adult rehabilitation, education, character building and camping programs for kids, and more.

“Through 2011, The Salvation Army saw an increased need of our feeding and shelter programs,” said Captain Todd Mason. “We are proud that our supporters recognize the struggle taking place in Augusta Georgia and continue to stand by their neighbors as President Eisenhower intended so many years ago and as First Lady Sandra Deal does today.”

President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared the first National Salvation Army Week in 1954, proclaiming, “Among Americans, The Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of brotherhood. In time of war, the men and women of this organization have brought to those serving their country far from home, friendliness and warm concern.  In the quieter days of peace, their work has been a constant reminder to us all that each of us is neighbor and kin to all Americans, giving freely of themselves, the men and women of The Salvation Army have won the respect of all.”

Though the dates have changed since the first National Salvation Army Week, the work of The Salvation Army has not changed. More information about National Salvation Army Week and The Salvation Army’s service programs please visit www.salvationarmyaugusta.org.

The two Emergency Disaster Services courses that are held consecutively on Thursday, May 3, Intro to EDS and ServSafe Starters, are required before volunteers can be dispatched to assist in a disaster.  Intro to EDS, which takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., provides participants with an overview of The Salvation Army’s mission and its role with disaster work.  Participants will also be taught how to prepare and equip themselves for a disaster deployment.

ServSafe Starters, which takes place from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., introduces participants to the basics of food handling.  The course explains how food can become unsafe through time-temperature abuse, cross-contamination, and improper cleaning and sanitizing, and the importance good personal hygiene plays in limiting the spread of bacteria and other dangerous pathogens.

Friday’s course, Medic BasicPlus, is optional and takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  This course is a basic adult CPR, AED and first aid course.

All of the Salvation Army of Augusta EDS training courses are free and open to the public.  To register for a course, please contact Katie Atkinson, Emergency Disaster Coordinator, at 706-826-7933 x103 or katie.atkinson@uss.salvationarmy.org.  Space is limited and the last day to RSVP is Monday, April 30.

The two day workshop will focus on the use of press molds in making a piece of clay sculpture.  Pre-registration is required and only 20 seats are available for the workshop.

Tom Supensky, a resident of Aiken, has held clay workshops in the United States, England, South Korea, Italy, Germany and Canada.  His work has also been exhibited around the world.

To register for the Tom Supensky Clay Workshop, please visit KrocAugusta.org, call 706-364-KROC or visit the Welcome Desk at the Kroc Center.  The cost for the two day workshop is $75.00.  Lunch is also available for $6 per day.

The first camp, named “Spring Break Camp,” is for children ages 5 to 12 and lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April 2 to 6.  Campers will have the opportunity to play games, swim, do arts and crafts and make wonderful memories while giving parents the chance to go to work without having a break in the schedule.  Lunch is included and campers should bring a bathing suit and a towel.

Spring Break Camp costs $30/day or $125/week for members and $40/week and $150/week for non-members.  Early drop off and late pick up are available for an additional charge.  Multi-child discounts are also available.

The second camp, named “Spring Break Sports Camp: Speed and Agility Training,” is for children ages 7 to 16 and lasts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from April 2 to 6.  Campers will participate in various speed drills (e.g., timed sprints), coordination and balance activities (e.g., gravity shifting while stationary, following set rhythms), strength training, power and agility training with plyometric exercise and flexibility training.  This camp will help attendees prepare for spring sports and maintain sport specific fitness during the season.

Spring Break Sports Camp: Speed and Agility Training costs $10/week for members and $40/week for nonmembers.

To register for either camp, please call 706-364-KROC or visit the Welcome Desk at the Kroc Center.

The Hip Hop Bunny Drop will feature crafts, games, inflatables, photos with the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg hunt.  The Easter egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. with the hunt divided into two age groupings to ensure that the little ones find plenty of Easter eggs.  In addition, The Salvation Army of Augusta Corps (the church) will have a tent featuring stories and a craft.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served to Hip Hop Bunny Drop guests.

Georgia Health Science University (GHSU) will have representatives present to educate attendees about heart health, cancer, obesity, family health, smoking cessation and other health issues.  GHSU will also perform blood pressure and weight screenings.

The Kroc Center will have representatives from their Health and Wellness Department present to discuss fitness and massage therapy as well as perform group fitness class demonstrations.

The Health and Wellness Fair will also have vendors from Brantly Chiropractic, the Alzheimer’s Association, Champions Made from Adversity, the Area Agency on Aging, Girls on the Run and other organizations present at the event.  The Kroc Center Café will also be open for lunch during the event.

For more information about the Health and Wellness Fair or The Salvation Army of Augusta in general, please contact Anthony Esposito, The Salvation Army of Augusta Community Relations Manager, at 706-922-8338 (desk), 706-421-3047 (cell), or Anthony_Esposito@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Teachers who had influence on Kuhlke’s work were the late Hans J. Staude- Florence, Italy; Marjorie Dean Andruk- St. Petersburg, Florida; and the late Freeman Schoolcraft of Augusta.

Miss Kuhlke is a full time studio painter in Aiken, South Carolina. Subject matter includes dogs, and interiors with dogs, still life, landscapes, and people.

“Painting is my response to life.”

“We at The Salvation Army of Augusta are so honored to receive this donation from John and Pat Curry (owners of Buona Caffe),” says Captain Todd Mason, Salvation Army of Augusta Administrator. “Red Kettle Coffee lets buyers enjoy fresh, locally roasted coffee all the while supporting the many programs and services of The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Center of Hope.”

“We really believe in the mission of The Salvation Army,” says Buona Caffe roast master John Curry. “Our company slogan is ‘Good things happen over good coffee.’ We are thrilled that we can help The Salvation Army make good things happen in Augusta.”
To provide optimum freshness and flavor, Red Kettle Coffee is roasted when it is ordered. It is available for purchase at www.buonacaffe.com and shipped directly to the purchaser or as a gift anywhere in the continental U.S. Local order also can be picked up at The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Center of Hope at 1384 Greene Street in Augusta.

For more information about Red Kettle Coffee or The Salvation Army of Augusta in general, please contact Anthony Esposito, Community Relations Manager, at 706-421-3047 or anthony_esposito@uss.salvationarmy.org.

For more information about Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee, please contact John Curry at 706-714-2809, or john@buonacaffe.com.

o Individual – $30/month
o Family (up to 6) – $50/month
o Senior (62+) – $25/month
o Senior Family – $35/month

We do not want anyone to feel like the Kroc Center is not available to them! Financial Assistance is available for Kroc Center Membership. Simply inquire at the Welcome Desk.
Are you on the fence about joining? Maybe this will help…

o Oftentimes, membership is actually more affordable than purchasing $10 Day Passes. Take for example a family of 5, just one visit would cost the same as an entire MONTH of membership!

o Consider how much you would pay for your family to go out for a movie for just one night. Membership gives you something to do EVERY DAY!

o It’s going to be HOT this summer, come cool off in our indoor aquatics center!

o Kroc Center members get discounts on swimming lessons, summer camps, and other Kroc Center programs!

o If you are unable to pay the regular membership fee, consider an income-based or scholarship membership. Applying for these is easy and could get you a discount of up to 100% off. Scholarships are also available for Summer Camp, arts, and music classes!