In 125 years, the mission of the Salvation Army in Clark County has remained the same: Serve the community.
The local charity celebrated its birthday Thursday evening at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Normally, the Salvation Army holds a luncheon during its anniversary, but for the 125th it decided to “make it big,” said Maj. Michael Nute.
Twenty-five years after the Salvation Army was launched in London in 1865, it came to Clark County. The first site was established in downtown Vancouver at Fifth and Main streets.
“You can see how fast it grew across the states,” Nute said.
While there are outfits around the world, each Salvation Army has programs that are based on the needs of the community.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter thing,” Lt. Susan Cassin said.
She points to the after-school programs for youth as a good example. Children from Marrion and Fircrest elementary schools, who may otherwise be home alone or whose parents can’t afford child care, participate in literacy and recreation programs.
While its mission hasn’t changed, its administration and facilities have. The organization plans to move its social services office from its spot on Northeast 47th Avenue to the site of the church and administrative offices on Northeast 112th Avenue, so everything’s in one location.
Honoring benefactor
During the dinner portion of the Salvation Army anniversary celebration, attendees recognized Ed Lynch, one of Southwest Washington’s largest benefactors, who passed away last week.
Jim Mains, Lynch’s friend, next-door neighbor and personal assistant, said Lynch and his wife, Dollie, were big supporters of the Salvation Army who signed up each year to do bell-ringing at the Hazel Dell Fred Meyer.
When the Christmas season came around, Dollie Lynch would bring out her box of holiday hats that they’d wear while bell-ringing. After Dollie passed away, Ed Lynch continued the tradition a few more years, always wearing a hat in honor of his wife.
Mains encouraged those attending the dinner to follow in the Lynches’ footsteps and consider volunteering their time to bell-ring and collect donations during the holiday season.
The Columbian helped sponsor the Salvation Army’s anniversary event.
