The Salvation Army is more than red kettles at Christmas. The Danville Salvation Army serves all of Vermilion County year-round. And over the weekend, Melissa Wilhelm, Special Events and Development Coordinator, joined us for a 1490 WDAN News Makers program. She was accompanied by Executive Officer and Minister Major Jason Pollom.

Wilhelm says one thing they work on year-round, often combining efforts and communicating with other agencies, is to help keep individuals and families off the streets; and give them a helping hand rather than alms; with the long-term goal of helping them become self-sufficient.

AUDIO: And we have a wonderful program called Pathway of Hope that talks specifically about that, to help eliminate generational poverty. So we’re looking for people who are really willing to help themselves and want to work for it, and who’ve just been through tough times. When people come to our door, when they cross our threshold, there is a lot of shame. They tend not to want to look you in the eye. They feel very embarrassed.

Major Jason Pollum says it’s incredibly rewarding to take a situation like this and make it better.

AUDIO: Whether it’s talking to people on the street with a food ministry; you take a canteen of the Salvation Army and you meet people where there are many who do not have a permanent residence. And you hear their stories. And all of them are heartbreaking. Whether they are self-induced; or others helping, one might say, to accumulate. There is no greater joy in knowing that you can do something about it.

One thing the Salvation Army has coming up in May is disaster emergency response training. Wilhelm says it can be a great way to be part of the Salvation Army team as a volunteer. She cites an example from last year.

AUDIO: We had the Gibson City flood last year; where volunteers were advised, and anyone interested in going and serving there could go and serve with the Salvation Army food truck. And it helped people get resources, shelter, bandages and water. And it helped them deal with stress, which is also a big part of it.

Also coming in June, July and August are employment workshops. Major Jason Pollum says it can be for anyone of any age who needs help writing a resume or just getting in the right mindset to want to win a job and do it well.

AUDIO: I think developing that mindset that work is not only a necessary thing, but it’s also a good thing. And it can play an important role in achieving the goals we want to achieve in life that go beyond what we call “work” or “employment.” Any work done honorably, or done with heart and passion, is worthwhile.

Learn more about Disaster Emergency Response Training, Employment Workshops; or perhaps if you would like to be a Salvation Army volunteer or serve on their advisory board; go to SA Danville. org, or call 217-607-9445.