William Lake Corps

The Salvation Army Williams Lake, BC MEDIA RELEASE: Local Charity Responding to Heat Warning Williams Lake, B.C. (July 28) — In response to the recent heat warning, Salvation Army centres across the province are prepared and ready to help vulnerable people, including the elderly and those living on the streets, by providing hydration items, shelter, and other cooling essentials. “With temperatures on the rise, many of our locations are taking action to ensure the health and safety of people in our communities,” Tamara Robinson, Community Ministry Director, “Many people living in crisis lack access to clean water, sun screen and other essentials. It is our responsibility to ensure that they stay safe.” Along with offering practical support and emotional and spiritual care year-round, The Salvation Army and their outreach teams are handing out water bottles, providing refuge from the sun, handing sunscreen and hats, dispatching street teams to assist those in need, and providing other relief efforts. “People living on the streets are vulnerable at the best of times,” Tamara Robinson, Community Ministry Director. “When temperatures reach extreme levels, and people are left without the proper devices to deal with it, their lives are literally put at risk.” If the public would like to help, they can provide support by donating the following items: Sunscreen Hats Bottled Water “We have a long-standing history of providing temporary relief during extreme weather conditions,” says Leland. “Along with our community partners, we work together to ensure needs are met in our communities during challenging times.” – 30 – The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become one of the largest providers of social services in the country. Working in 400 communities across Canada and more than 128 countries around the world, we provide practical, compassionate support to meet basic human needs, while helping those living in crisis escape addiction and violence. By giving people hope, we transform lives of British Columbians today…and every day. SalvationArmy.ca Major Sergii Kachanov 250-292-2423 ext 210 sergii.kachanov@salvationarmy.ca

The movie “Sound of Freedom” is now playing in theatres around the world! This is a film about a former government agent who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. The Salvation Army is deeply committed to fighting modern slavery and human trafficking. Modern slavery is an umbrella term including human trafficking for sex, labor or organs, exploitative labor practices, child labor and early and forced marriage. It involves not just individuals but also social and economic systems. The Salvation Army believes in the biblical principles of the inherent and equal value of all persons and the duty to care for one’s neighbor. The Salvation Army is opposed to the abuse of power against other human beings that is inherent in modern slavery and human trafficking. Everyone has the responsibility, both individuals and institutions, to work for the liberation of those who have been subjected to slavery and trafficking. Legal and social mechanisms to stop slavery and trafficking must be established and those involved held to account. Transformation and healing of hearts and minds of everyone involved in modern slavery and human trafficking is both necessary and possible. For more information or if you would like to donate to help support our efforts to end HT, please check out the links provided below! https://www.canada.ca/…/campaigns/human-trafficking.html https://salvationist.ca/human-trafficking/home/ https://donate.salvationarmy.ca/page/62773/donate/1?location=Williams%20Lake&_ga=2.254216207.662691538.1598281116-265608729.1590707901 If you suspect someone is a victim of HT, call the Canadian National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010.

To all who volunteered their time and sponsored with their resources this Christmas season with The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer campaign by manning kettles, assembling toy hampers and cooking/serving the Christmas Dinner and by monetary donations. A heart felt thank-you also goes to everyone who donated so generously to the campaign. The kettles raised over sixty-nine thousand dollars and an additional eighty nine thousand dollars was brought directly into the office. The City of Williams Lake, The Williams Lake Tribune, Fire Department, local RCMP, schools, banks, businesses, stores, clubs, service groups, and many individuals helped to make this Christmas a better time for those needing assistance. 27 families were graciously sponsored this year through our “Adopt a Family” program by various local businesses and private families. Thank you to “the angels” in our community for purchasing gifts off our Christmas Angel tree, and thank you The Realm of Toys, Winners and Walmart for hosting them. Special thank you to our mayor Walt Cobb for his input, support and commitment during the year. With volunteers’ help and generous donations of goods and finances, the Salvation Army has served over 454 adults and 187children this Christmas season. Through the months of January to December 2020 our Community and Family Services has provided direct assistance to over 3,928 individuals through our Share Shelf, Emergency Relief, voucher and Drop In Programming. 15,157 meals were served through our kitchen, and over 1,514 families received regular monthly hampers through our Food Bank. The food bank shelves are always in need of supplies which will allow us to continue assisting those in need. It is only through the generosity of this community that we can accomplish this. We thank the Williams Lake community for helping us meet that need.