The Salvation Army wishes to sincerely thank the City of Springfield, the local businesses and organizations and the many volunteers who supported those in need by supporting the Springfield Spring Ring Bellringing Event. The week-long event raised a total of $10,194. The Salvation Army will use these funds to continue to provide vitally-needed emergency shelter to those in need here in the Springfield community.
“We are tremendously grateful to the entire local community for coming together to support our organization, but most importantly for coming together to support our neighbors who need help the most,” Major Norman Grainger, Springfield Corps Officer, said. “This was truly a shining example of Springfield helping Springfield.”
Each year, The Salvation Army provides an Extreme Emergency Cold Weather Shelter for those in our local community who need a safe, warm place to stay. And each year the City of Springfield budgets $10,000 for The Salvation Army to cover expenses associated with operating this vital community service. But this past winter was different, and The Salvation Army not only provided shelter to an unprecedented 509 individuals, but it did so at an unprecedented cost of almost $30,000 – nearly triple the average yearly cost.
“It is only with continued community support that The Salvation Army, and other local social service nonprofits, are able to provide much-needed assistance programs and services,” Grainger said.
The ‘Spring Ring’ event kicked off earlier this month with pop-up musical performances around the City. One featured high school senior Luke Cooksey playing a baby grand piano on Park Central East, and another featured a bluegrass flash mob of 26 members of the Ozarks Regional Bluegrass Society, who played inside Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The Missouri State University Jazz Band, as well as several other local musicians – including Springfield City Manager, Greg Burris’ band Roots & Fifths – also stepped up to help.
“The Salvation Army provides a vital service to our community and we appreciated the huge community support for this urgent fundraiser. We are fortunate to have great musicians in this community who were willing to dedicate their time and talent to this great cause – and provide it on short notice. I'm also grateful to organizations that responded to our plea for help, by mobilizing employees to help by ringing bells,” said City Manager Greg Burris of his band’s efforts, which also resulted in a $1,000 direct donation from Bass Pro Shops.
The Salvation Army, and those it helps, also sincerely wish to thank:
- Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
- Battlefield Mall
- Price Cutter
- Mercy
- Greene County
- City Utilities
- Community Partnership of the Ozarks
- BKD
- Drury University
- OTC Information Technology Department
- The Network
- UMB Bank
The City's Leadership Team, Springfield Police and Fire Departments also had a significant presence at kettles.
“This event simply would not have been possible without the support of these businesses, organizations,” Grainger said.
The Salvation Army plans to continue to seek community support to raise the additional $10,000 needed to reach the $20,000 goal. To make an immediate and direct donation to the Springfield-area Salvation Army please visit: https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/midland/2014-spring-ring
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