Oswego Salvation Army ‘I Believe’ Team Wants You!

OSWEGO, NY – The Salvation Army of Oswego is usually the place those in need look to for assistance, but now the Salvation Army is turning to the community for assistance to meet increasing needs facing the region.

The Army is looking for committed volunteers to help make its current capital campaign a success.

This team of new volunteers would serve on the “I Believe” Team, a committee of community-minded volunteers charged with finding new, innovative ideas to assist the Army in raising the needed funding for its expansion efforts to better serve the local population.

H. Lee White Marine Museum Executive Director Mercedes Niess, also a member of the team said, “The ‘I Believe’ Team is a fun way to actively support the Salvation Army Building Project. We are looking for citizens with a little time to help coordinate and work the events created by the team.”

“Many of these events will serve dual purposes. They will raise funds for the building project, but also raise awareness about the Army and its impact on the greater Oswego community,” she added.

“Monetary donations and gifts are always appreciated,” said Oswego Salvation Army Captain Corrine Hayes. “However, not everyone is in a position to make those types of donations, and serving on this team is another way the community can help us help others.”

The “I Believe” Team is part of the overall capital campaign plan developed by Step One Strategic Giving, an Oswego-based company that specializes in fund development and capital campaigns, and the sister company to marketing firm Step One Creative.

Step One is helping to guide the Salvation Army’s new campaign and public relations awareness initiatives.

“We are about a third of the way towards our goal of $1.5 million for the Salvation Army,” said Jeff Wallace, the director of the campaign, and representative of Step One Strategic Giving. “We are encouraged by the continued support we have seen in the community, and are enthusiastic about the impact the ‘I Believe’ Team will have on the campaign.”

The team has set its own goal of $50,000, and will help plan and promote fund raising events and efforts throughout the community for the campaign.

Oswego County Legislator Paul Santore was one of the first members of the “I Believe” Team, and has worked on other fundraisers throughout the county.

“The Oswego Salvation Army is very important. Not only does it serve daily meals, but it also provides temporary housing assistance, emergency assistance with utilities, clothing, and groceries from their Food Pantry,” Santore said. “The Army now has expanded outreach to include after school programs, arts and crafts and other programs targeted to certain groups in our community. They do this all for free, with funding from the United Way, the Army’s Annual Kettle Drive, and their monthly Guest Chef Dinners.”

Santore believes the new team will continue the Army’s success.

“The ‘I Believe’ Team is a special events fundraising arm of the capital campaign,” he said. “We will be out in the community meeting the general public in various fundraising event efforts in support of the restoration and expansion project.”

Oswego Salvation Army Board Member Vernon Tryon said he is regularly impressed by the number of people who rely on the Oswego Salvation Army for assistance.

“It is quite an eye opener to see how many people rely on the Salvation Army,” Tryon said. “For one reason or another, people need this help.”

That community need has been the driver for the expansion efforts and capital campaign for the Army during these tough economic times.

“We are counting on committed individuals to step forward and be a part of the ‘I Believe’ Team and make this campaign a success,” said Captain Hayes. “The community needs these services, and we are dedicated to providing them.”

The Oswego Salvation Army‘s “I Believe” campaign continues to raise funds for necessary renovations for its new facility on West Second Street.

To find out more on becoming a member of the “I Believe” Team, call (315) 216-4161.

For more information on the Oswego Salvation Army, visit http://oswegosa.com missing or outdated ad config

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