The original faith-based initiative

Mission statements drive non profit organizations - at least they should. Over the years, I've seen a lot of struggle in the non profit world, including struggle with mission. I've seen some organizations change missions with great success; I've seen others abandon missions and fail. The latter usually results from a focus on gaining financial support rather than a focus on filling a need. For the past decade, I've talked about a lot of change at United Way, but the change has been about method, not mission. Still, one organization stands above all others in the "sticking to the mission" department. The Salvation Army has not changed its mission in all its 130-plus year history. It's the original faith-based initiative (and you thought that was a new idea)!

Last week, the Anderson Citadel held its annual civic and volunteer dinner. One thought stayed with me throughout the evening: here is the best example of being both old and new that I've seen in a long time. Not only is The Salvation Army's mission "old", so is it's red shield logo, and so it's most successful fund raising program. The Red Kettle Campaign is probably the second only to passing the basket at church for longevity, but this past holiday season in Madison County - where just about every charitable endeavor saw decline - the campaign increased by 21 percent, raising more than $240,000. The Salvation Army will receive something over $80,000 from United Way this year, about a 10 percent increase.

On the flip side, the organization reported to United Way in this year's funding request, an increase in people served of 52 percent during 2007. Nearly 1500 households received rent or utility assistance; the food pantry assisted 650 families per month; the baby food pantry assisted 36 parents per month. Last Christmas, nearly 3,200 children received gifts through Salvation Army and its partners.

Partnerships are an area that clearly represents the organization's willingness to embrace new methods. While the United Way partnership has been around as long as our organization has existed (more than 120 years), The Salvation Army has become a leader in our Community Access Network strategy. A long list of partnerships in the annual dinner program attests to the organization's willingness to embrace what's new - when it aligns with the mission.

One other area where the old and the new stood out: volunteerism. Those honored included retirees who have logged decades of serve to elementary students from Valley Grove and high school students from Alexandria. At the end of the event, Captain Nathan Harms made sure everyone took away a volunteer handbook for 2008, listing 19 different volunteer opportunities and 13 activities for the year. None of these activities require anything more than a willingness to help others.
For more information about volunteering, call 644-2538 or log on to www.saanderson.org.

By the way, in case you're wondering about the mission of The Salvation Army, which is defined as an international movement that is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, here it is: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. And United Way of Madison County's mission? To provide leadership and support in identifying and satisfying basic human needs and improving the quality of life in our communities. We will be open, inclusive, creative and accountable in our service.

No wonder we get along.