Message from the Divisional Commander
A Quarterly Note from the Alaska Divisional Commander
Dear Friend,
The holidays are often a time of hardship and loneliness for those in need. Due to the generosity of donors and volunteers like yourselves, we can provide a glimmer of hope for those who need it most. Staff at The Salvation Army kept busy organizing and facilitating several events this past holiday season for which I am grateful for their hard work.
Late November, our largest fundraising event of the year, Season of Giving took place. Congratulations to Jay Page for receiving the Life Membership Civic Award and The Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation for receiving the 2018 Others Award. We thank both Jay and the Foundation for their years of dedication to the Alaskan community through selfless acts of service to others. We also thank our wonderful attendees, sponsors and event donors who made our 20th anniversary event possible.
The morning following our event, Anchorage experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which was later declared a federal disaster. Our teams were quick to act in supporting community members in need of emergency food, shelter and behavioral health support. A devastating event like this was a reminder to “be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” [1 Peter 3:8], especially to our neighbors in need.
This holiday season we had thousands of amazing volunteers at our red kettles throughout Alaska who were an enormous help to our fundraising for year-round services. Kettles raised a net income of $565,510 this holiday season, short of our $702,000 budgeted goal, but we will be looking into other opportunities for funding as well as to individuals like you who support us so generously.
I look forward to the refresh of the new year and what it may bring to The Salvation Army’s fight for good. May God provide many blessings to you and yours in the new year.
Sincerely,
Major John Brackenbury
Divisional Commander
The Salvation Army – Alaska Division