April 14, 2025 • 37 mins
We are learning about The Salvation Army of Memphis and the Mid-South with Commander Major Cheryl Gilliam and Amy Speropoulos on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Don't Memphis probably presents the Ben Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Let me say, bethn.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Me first, let me you say, She's done memphistoga.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
All no matter of the problem, she can have so
all the photo normans on your mind.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
She jimmy ring in the hair by chilling you to
just keep the thing when arindle picking up Miss Johnson Show,
because I got out there every fuck you can hear
every day. Let me you dee, I ain't my bell
(01:02):
got me a missed up and yet.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Good morning, good morning, good morning, and welcome into w
d i A The Rev. Johnson Show. It is indeed
a pleasure to have you with.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Us once again on this my day, April fourteenth, twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Enjoy this fabulous day to day.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
We'll get ready to put your ears on as we
share the good news this day. I like this good news.
I'll tell you about it. We have special guests coming in.
Then we'll share the good.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
News with you.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
When it's your turn to talk.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
You know you can nine zero one five three five
nine three four two eight hundred and five zero three
nine three four to two eight three three five three
five nine three four two will get you in to
me and if this day, this day, Monday, April fourteenth,
(03:49):
twenty twenty five, is your birthday. Happy birthday to each
and every one of y'all out there who may be
celebrating a birthday.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
On this day.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
We say God, y'all go out and celebrate your life.
You better, you better. When we come back, we'll talk
the good news we'll share with you next with me
Bev Johnson on the Bev Johnson Show only on w.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
D I A.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Good morning, and welcome back to wd I A The
Bev Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
I'm bad.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
It is indeed a pleasure I have you with us
once again on this beautiful Monday in Memphis, Tennessee. It
is April fourteenth, twenty twenty five, and I hope wherever
you are it is a gorgeous day.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Wherever you are well.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
I said earlier that I'm getting ready to share the
good news, and I like this good news and always.
Let me introduce to you our guest in the studio.
We have Commander Major Sheryl Gilliam from the Salvation Army.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
And my sister friend is here. I just love you.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
She's communications and everything. Amy Sparpolis is here, and let
me say good morning, ladies.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
You all a looking gorgeous this morning.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Good, good, good doing great, great.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
You're looking fabulous. You're looking fabulous.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
I always said we spread the good news, and this
is the good news because I like this news. Anytime
I am able to talk about the Salvation Army, and
I want to start with Major Cheryl and Major Eryl. Good.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
You're doing well seen in a while.
Speaker 7 (06:16):
I know it's been busy, but I'm doing really well.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I was just thinking, how long have you and your
husband been here in Memphis.
Speaker 7 (06:23):
Now we will finish up two years in June.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Wow. Wow wow, so so far, so good, so far,
so good.
Speaker 7 (06:32):
Yeah, it's been a joy to be here.
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Well, I know, and I'm glad. You know, people talk
about Memphis, but Memphis is a good city.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
It is, it is.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Memphis is a good city. So good it really is.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
I want to ask, you know before some of our
listeners who are listening, who may just not know they
hear the name Salvation Army. And I think a lot
of times when people think about the Salvation, well, I
tell you what I always think about it. I always
think about the musical. Yes, and every time I think
(07:13):
about Salvation Army. I see guys and dolls, and I
see those folks, But the Salvation Army is more than that.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Tell our listeners about the Salvation.
Speaker 7 (07:23):
Yeah, the Salvation Army is actually a part of the
Evangelical Church. We are a part of the church. Where
you could say we're just a denomination within the church, right,
we are a part of the Christian Church. And our
message is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
it's to meet human needs without discrimination. And so you know,
(07:44):
I was called at the age of twelve, Wow, a
Salvation Army officer, which is actually a pastor. So if
you are interviewing an officer or you see a funny
uniform with red epplets, that means that we are ordained ministers.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And so I want to go back at the age
of twelve.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
At an age of twelve, I see, I grew up
in the Salvation Army. Oh okay, a church.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Okay, got you.
Speaker 7 (08:07):
It's a church first and to the church first.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
And see that. That's why I want you to tell.
Speaker 7 (08:12):
Folks, right, we're not that great at tell them the story.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
No you're not.
Speaker 7 (08:16):
But we're going to rectify that today. So William Booth,
our founder, was a Methodist circus circuit preacher, okay, and
he would go into areas in London and he would
preach the gospel to put into poor areas, marginalized areas,
and he would go and preach the gospel, and then
he would bring these folks into that Anglican church, and
(08:37):
they were not accepted. And so William Booth decided, well,
you know what if if they're not going to be accepted,
then we're gonna we're going to begin our own movement.
We're going to begin our own church, and we're going
to preach the gospel and disciple these new converts to
be on fire Christians for the Lord Jesus Christ. And
so that's kind of a synopsis, I mean, a real
(08:58):
quick brief synopsis of our beginnings back in eighteen sixty five.
So the Salvation Army has been in existence for one
hundred and sixty years wow, and worldwide, but first and
foremost were at church. Now, the social services aspect that
we do is our our why, it's our mandate right
we are we're called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
(09:21):
But if someone's hurting, if someone's struggling. If someone needs help,
they're not going to hear the gospel message, if they're
struggling without food, if they're struggling with no home, if
their kids are experiencing difficulties in their lives. And so
it's the Salvation Army's mission to be able to help
people to get out of those situations so that they
(09:44):
can hear clearly the voice of God and accept the
good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and also get
back on their feet because He is the answer.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (09:54):
I'm glad you explained that, because again, a lot of
people don't know that the Self Asian Army is a
Christian uganization.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah. And with the work you do, oh my goodness,
I love the work because you all have helped a
lot of people.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
But I want to talk Major Cheryl about so people
will know what the Salvation Army is doing here in Memphis.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
Right. So, we have three residential shelters within our Producer
of Hope and we primarily assist women with children. And
that's one of the greatest things about I think what
we do here in Memphis is that there's another organization
that we know of that is specializing with helping women
(10:42):
with children to be able to meet the needs that
they have as well as their children's needs. So we
have an emergency Family Shelter, which is, you know, if
you are experiencing some kind of immediate crisis, then we
have that to offer. We have a recovery program for
women with children, which is unheard of, I think in
(11:05):
this whole area, not just Memphis, but in many cities.
They don't have those opportunities. And then we have what's
called the Single Women's Shelter or a lodge, which helps
women without children to get back on their feet. And
we have a myriad of different wrap around services that
also help these women. So we don't just give them
(11:27):
a place to stay and say, hey, you know, have
at it, yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
You know, but you give them a place to stay,
but also you give them tools, I'm sure, skills so
they can get back out into.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
The world, that's right.
Speaker 7 (11:39):
We have budgeting classes, we have parenting classes, we have
you know, job interview classes, and we help them actually
to get to the appointments that they need to get to.
And then while the women are focusing on their own
strengthening and getting back on their feet, we have wrap
around services for the children. We have after school daycare
(12:01):
we provide, we help provide daycare for the little babies
that we have coming in and and so you know,
there's just we have a counseling, which is our intensive outpatient.
We have counseling that we provide for the mamas and
for the children if needed. And so there's just you know,
a variety of things that we offer the women to
help get them long term on their feet. You know,
(12:24):
we're the days of putting a band aid. I mean
that's necessary too, don't get me wrong. Yeah, it is
necessary to get someone off the street and get them
a quick solution. But the truth is is that the
longevity and what we're trying to accomplish in these women's
lives is what's going to be is what's going to
help them, you know, get back on their feet, and
(12:45):
it's going to be help them to be self sustaining
and successful. And then wrapped around all of that, we
offer them the good news of Jesus Christ, because again,
without him, you know, there really isn't a that is
long term.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
Yeah, you know, eternal, Yes, yes, so so, major Cheryl,
in bringing in the women and children, your success stories
would you say that the Salvation Army here has had
quite a few success stories.
Speaker 7 (13:18):
We have had many successful stories, And if you're interested,
go to Salvation Army Memphis dot org and under one
of the tabs. I can't remember, Amy's gonna have to
remind me of that maybe, but under one of the
tabs you will see videos of actually women. It's at
oh about us, Yes, okay, okay. So if you go
under Salvation Army Memphis dot org and go about us,
you will find probably about thirty thirty five videos of
(13:43):
actual women and their children who've gone through and who've
been touched by the Salvation Armies programs, ministries and services
in this community that have changed their lives forever. And
it's just such a privilege to be able to see
that happen, a transformation take place. I mean, I've watched
women walk in just so broken, shut down, not wanting
(14:05):
to make eye contact, not even wanting to really engage,
and then three weeks in I see them, because we
attend the church every week, and I see them, and
all of a sudden, you see the light starting to
come in their eyes, and you see this receptivity that
they didn't have when they first came in and then
there's relationships being built and that's what the Kingdom of
(14:26):
God is about.
Speaker 6 (14:27):
Yes, right, it is so.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
And of course you know we also refer them and
get them connected with people in the community to be
able to help again that sustaining process of being going
from homelessness to self sufficiency.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
So Major Cheryl, A lot of the women who come in,
are they homeless or are they coming from situations of
domestic abuse or it's all okay.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
It's all above right, there's homelessness. There's people who are
caught an addiction or they're an addiction and they want
a way out, and so they they they come to us,
whether they're referred or it's you know, self referral.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (15:10):
There are people in all kinds of situations that come
to us for assistance and for for for guidance and
so uh again, we're just privileged to be able to
be in that crossroad, in that place where we can
provide a safe place and away for a better life.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
And and and once these women come and and you
serve them and they get back out in the world,
I'm sure you help them with the resources you all
that try to get them housing or try to get
them employed somewhere.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Yes, So we have a staff okay of caseworkers and
counselors that walk with each woman. We call we call
it Pathway of Hope okay, okay. And so every woman
who comes in along with child has to go through
casework and a casework journey where they are. You know,
they have goals, They set goals for themselves because each
(16:09):
each each situation is different, right, and it's unique to them.
So they have to set certain goals for themselves and
then our staff walk through them. Our trained staff walk
through them and many different levels to be able to
help them to get where they need to go.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
I'm curious with the women who come in with children
and while they're there, are the children educated there or
do they go back into the schools they.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
Going to school?
Speaker 6 (16:41):
They go to school neighborhoods.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
Yeah, they go to the neighborhood schools. And then we
have tutoring after school that we provide with snacks and
you know, kind of like your typical after school program.
So we have staff that are employed with us for that,
and we have volunteers teachers who've come alongside and said
I want to give back, and I want to be
able to help these children to be successful, and so
(17:07):
we provide that Monday through Friday Friday after school. We
also have what's called Camp Hope that operates during spring
break or fall break and during the summer, which again
is like a day camp for these children to be
able to have just good old fun, learn some skills
(17:27):
and and some life skills, and be able to go
on field trips and just just have a wonderful time.
You know, we make it. We obviously don't want this
to be their per home, right, but while they're there,
we make it. We're a family, okay, and so we
make it a home for them. And you know, I
(17:47):
mean one of my one of my greatest joys is
interacting with these kids. I love it. So on Sundays,
I'm not the pastor senior pastor there, we have a
we have a set of officers that are assigned just
to be the past or for our produce Center of Hope.
So one thing I do on Sundays is I take
the zero to five year old out for junior church
(18:07):
or you know, during the sermon, and I just love it.
I mean, to love on them and to be able
to teach them Jesus and just show them the love
of Jesus. It's just an amazing thing. And the thing
is is I receive so much more than I think
that I ever give to them.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
When you're talking about it now, I see it in
your eyes that it brings you great joy. I love it.
I love it.
Speaker 7 (18:28):
I know these kids by name, you know. They tell
me when they're doing well in school, the older kids,
And that's how our staff is.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
You know.
Speaker 7 (18:37):
Again, we're a family, and we want the very best
for these young people as they grow up. In a
difficult situation now, but our prayer is that this would
be a marker moment in their lives to say I
saw Jesus during this time and I want to follow him.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
If you've just tuned in this day, we are talking
with my guest from the Salvation Army. Commander Major Cheryl
Gilliam is here, Amy Sparopolis. I like to say she's
director of Communications. Hey, I now just say that she
is here. If you have a question or two for
the ladies and you want to know about the Salvation Army.
Because I have more questions, we invite you to call
(19:20):
now nine zero one five, three, five, nine, three four
two eight hundred five zero three nine three four two
eight three three five three five nine three four two
will get you in to us. You're listening to double
d i A The Bevtosyshow.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Don't Go Away. The BEV Johnson Show returns after these messages.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Working hard to bring you OUTA days now.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Good morning, and welcome back to w d i A.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
I am talking with Commander Major Cheryl Gilliam of the
Salvation Army, and Amy Sparopolis is here, director of Communications,
I like to say, and Major Scheryl, I'm looking at
my email and Mike, Mike wanted to know, he says,
Major Cheryl, you talk about women and children.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
Do you have programs for men?
Speaker 7 (21:11):
We do. In Memphis, the Salvation Army has what's called
an Adult Rehabilitation Center, which is a recovery program for men,
and so that's located on Kirby Witten. So yes, we do,
Thank the Lord. It doesn't come under necessarily our leadership,
but it is a Salvation Army and we collaborate and
(21:32):
work very closely. I mean, the Salvation Army is a
Salvation Army. It just comes under different leadership. But so yes,
we do have that recovery program for me. And it's
not just a shelter. It's a specific rehabilitation program for
those walking in recovery.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
So walking in recovery not necessarily is someone coming into
a center that trying to get sobered up. These men
are already are trying to stay sober.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They have a specific need. They can come to us
not sober and they'll be taken through again case management
and things like that right to help them. But it
is just it's a specific program. So it's not like
the women's and children where we have a shelter and
then a few rep round services that help them. It's
(22:20):
specifically for the recovery good.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
And also let me point out that so each Salvation
Army in each city mimics the needs of the community.
So when we October of the nineteen hundreds, when the
Memphis Salvation Army first started, because this year we celebrate
one hundred and twenty five years, which is amazing, we
had our you know, envisioned how we thought it would look.
(22:47):
And I say we obviously we weren't here then were
the officers. But God directs and you heard man plans.
God directs well, that's exactly what happened, because God knew
the needs for the Salvation Army. So we were born
then and how we started. The Produced Center of Hope
(23:08):
was one arm of our army. Several years later the
arc which Major Cheryl was talking about was our second arm,
the Adult Rehabilitation Center off Kirby Witten and then the
years later the Crop Center of Memphis was our third arm.
So each one of those serves a different group of
(23:29):
people and a different need that is desperately needed here
in Memphis. But they all operate, so to speak, under
one army, and Major Cheryl Gillam and her husband, Major
Tim Gillam are the Memphis Area commanders, so they are
over the umbrella of those three arms of the army.
(23:50):
But together we're all operating under his army, which is
Jesus Christ. So we're doing work at each facility that
made look a little different, but we're all helping to
serve be the hands and feet of Jesus on the streets.
So it's such a beautiful partnership together we work, you know,
(24:13):
to really William Booth, Major Cheryl was talking about William Booth.
His philosophy was soup soap and Salvation. If you can
provide a bar of soap for someone a bowl of
soup to fill their belly, you can ultimately lead them
to Jesus.
Speaker 6 (24:30):
And we believe that today.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
So while our things may look a little different, we're
all the bottom line is we want to help men,
women and children in Memphis in.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
The mid South. That I love that soup, soap and salvation. Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Oh wow, it's really beautiful. And so at the Croc
Center we have church and that's open because I want
to ask.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
Because we hear a lot of about the Croc Center
the cosy, so tell us what goes on there.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
So this is the twelfth anniversary for the Croc Center
this year. Wow, so one hundred and twenty five years
in Memphis, not the world in Memphis, min alone. Croc
Center is twelve years old this year.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
And that was.
Speaker 7 (25:14):
It is a wonderful expression, a unique expression. Not every
community has a Salvation Army Croc Center. Croc Center. It
really focuses on physical, physical wellbeing, community coming together. There's
a theater program that we have and many many community
oriented events that happen there. And then we also have
(25:36):
a Croc Church So, like I told you, there's a
set of pastors who are at Purdue, there's also a
set of pastors at the CROC, and so they oversee
the spiritual aspects that happen at the CROC.
Speaker 5 (25:49):
Oh And I know, because we hear about the KROC,
and we know some people may think that I go
there too, as you mentioned physical exercises.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
But it's more than that.
Speaker 7 (26:00):
Yeah, because this is the truth about the Salvation Army.
We are holistic in our approach. Okay, we're body, soul,
and spirit. Okay, body, mind, spirit, and the Salvation Army
I believe touches every single one of those. Physically, we're
helping people to get to a better place in life,
whether that is from homelessness to self sufficiency, or whether
(26:22):
that is their physical fitness needs and things like that, right,
whether that's the ability to have an arts program in
their life and be able to be creative in that way.
But we're also our main goal, and that's like I
said earlier on in the show, our mission is to
preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to live out the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so in every one of
(26:44):
our programs, you are going to touch the spiritual aspect
and be introduced to Jesus in some way, shape or form.
And so, I mean that's just one of the unique
blessings that we have to be able to help people
in their journey, because again, everything, everything that we do
is a holistic approach to getting people back on their
(27:06):
free feet. The Lord always speaks to me about metaphors
when it comes to my physical fitness. And you know,
at one point in my life, I was walking a
mile and I was huffing and puffing and huffing and puffing,
and I just, you know, kept on feeling like, well,
if if you just keep going, you know, and then
you pass that threshold where you have a greater capacity
to be able to work out even more. Right, Well,
(27:28):
it's the same in your spiritual life. And so to
be able to offer those things together is just a
it's a gift and it's a blessing, and we pray
that it touches this community in a profound way.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Yeah, and I'm sure over the years, what one hundred
and twenty five years here.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
One hundred and twenty five years, right, And you know,
it's interesting because one of the questions that I get
asked often, is you know we ring a lot of
folks know we ring the bells during the holiday season.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
It's four weeks out of there, because everybody knows. Everybody
knows Bill.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Well, what folks don't know is that every diamond dollar
that are that's put in those kettles goes to keep
the lights on at the Produce Center of Hope. So
if it wasn't for people in the community coming out
and helping us through that red Kettle initiative, we wouldn't
be able to operate the Produce Center of Hope. Okay,
So at the Arc, the thrift store that we were
(28:22):
talking about, they will come and they will pick up
your goods and like your furniture, your clothes, they'll do
that for free. One eight hundred sal Army is who
you call, so they'll come and pick your goods up
and then that provides a work therapy program. So it's
very it's a very interesting partnership and a lot of
(28:45):
what also folks don't know is we have a huge
emergency disaster service program. So when when when nine to
eleven happened years ago, we had we had officers on
the ground in some cases before paramedics were on the ground, wow,
praying for people, providing spiritual care. So when we had
(29:07):
this recent tornado and floods, we were ready. We were
ready to mobilize people in our mobile canteen. Thanks to
FedEx because they provided those mobile canteens for us, we
were ready to go to the places where people need
help and spiritual care and assistance.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Well.
Speaker 7 (29:25):
And the truth is even today, every Monday, our canteen
goes out throughout our city giving about one hundred and
twenty lunches on Monday.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yes, so it's a great volunteer opportunity for folks bev Okay.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
So we have a team that's out today in the mornings.
They prepare the lunches and then they go to certain
areas of Memphis, Okay, and they hand out lunches.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
To my goodness, I didn't know that, and I'm sure
if I did know that, and there are a lot
of our listeners listening didn't know that as well.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
So they just picked different neighborhoods.
Speaker 7 (29:58):
And they're building relationship with people again, because the thing
is is that it's not enough just to drop by
put a band aid on a situation. No, right, Because
we when you get to know people just like we're
doing right now. Then you go, oh, I didn't know
you did this too, or I didn't know you needed that.
So we have this that could be offered, or we
refer them to different places that can help them. Because
we're not lone rangers either. You know, we have to
(30:21):
be integrated within the community with other nonprofits who are
who are also helping this community in various ways, and
they might have opportunities that we don't have.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
And so.
Speaker 7 (30:35):
When we get to know people, we get to know
their situation and we can then refer them or we
can say, oh, we can offer this, we can help
you with this, and so yeah, every Monday they alternate.
The CROC does it one The CROC is in charge
of it one Monday, and then Produce Center of Hope
is in charge of it the next Monday. People on
the street are not going to know who the difference,
but the Salvation Army is on the street every Monday
(30:56):
giving lunches out to different communities in our area that
are yeah.
Speaker 6 (31:01):
And blessing bags.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
We provide blessing bags and it's personal hygiene items shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, so.
Speaker 6 (31:10):
And a Bible Oh yeah, I love that. So it's beautiful.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
I want to go back, Amy and tell me more
about the thrift store. You mentioned the thrift store.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Yeah, so it's really interesting because we much like we
have officers at each at the CROC Center and at
the Produce Center of Hope, we have Captain Ryan and
Amber Mayo stationed at the ARC and it's just really
a unique partnership. And I know, Major you and your
husband have known Captain Mayo's the Mayo's for a really
(31:44):
long time.
Speaker 7 (31:44):
So Ryan came through the Salvation Army Adult real Bilitation
Center in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
Okay, well, my.
Speaker 7 (31:50):
Husband and I were the area commanders in Saint Pete
and so my husband actually had an opportunity to disciple
Ryan and their relationship. Now we're stationed in the same
city city.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Uh huh.
Speaker 7 (32:02):
Ryan received his calling to become a Salvation Army officer
from the Lord. He then is stationed here and we
have this amazing opportunity to be able to minister together.
And they still have a close discipleship relationship as well,
you know, and so that's a beautiful thing. But the
Heiress is is just a wonderful again expression of the
Salvation Army's work within our community. And as Amy said,
(32:25):
the the funds that are raised through the strift thrift
Store helped to operate okay, don't really rehabilitation center and
be able to provide the men that attend uh then
the much needed recovery resources.
Speaker 6 (32:38):
That they need.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
So the thrift store, Amy, people donate goods or how
does that work?
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Or yeah, they can donate goods and I mean, I'm
really you know, now it's very popular for people to
they go thrifting.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
This is my children have told me this. But but
but yeah, so we.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
Take furniture, we take dishes, we take silverware, we take clothes,
we take everything.
Speaker 6 (33:06):
And in fact, they have a whole crew who.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
I can't remember the terminology for this, but it was
fascinating to watch they actually go through jewelry that is
received and they price it appropriately and so it's really neat.
But yes, they will come and pick those items up
from any anywhere in Memphis free of charge, and they
go in the thrift store.
Speaker 6 (33:27):
And the men who are in the program and they,
you know, they just they get a lot.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
They get a lot from this program because it's you know,
they provide just a way of life for folks, you know,
and it's it's just a great.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
And all of the again, all of the money that's
raised from that thrift store goes to help with that
recovery program, right, Okay, that's that's the main source of
their their donations and things like that. So so it's
just a wonderful opportunity again in this community to see
lives changed, transformed, and to see you know, people go
(34:06):
from a state of brokenness to again wholeness. And we
have the opportunity to witness that almost daily. And so
it's just such a blessing.
Speaker 6 (34:18):
And you've heard one man's trash is another man's treasure. Yeah, yeah,
you've found you have been.
Speaker 1 (34:23):
Able, We've been able to find some amazing treasures at
that facility.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
I'm sure. I'm sure. I'm sure.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
And and I want to talk also as Amy, because
I know I see you, we'll be seeing you during
the holidays. When you talk about the red kettle and
ringing the bell. Now, the folks who are ringing the bell,
are they volunteers or are they are part of the South.
Speaker 6 (34:46):
How does that they are volunteers?
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Oh, yes, volunteers, they are volunteers, and in fact, that's
where you know, doing things like this really are so
important for us because we have volunteer and parartnerships with
a lot of schools, and in fact, we have a
group of young young people that have been volunteering for
us for years through our Angel Tree program and they
(35:10):
come out and they work the Angel Tree warehouse and
they help us to help others.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
And that's children and adults.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
But yes, all of the volunteer, all of the folks
that you see ringing our bells are volunteers.
Speaker 6 (35:23):
And in fact, we're going to have a great event
coming up soon and it's Christmas. Christmas in July, Oh,
Christmas in July.
Speaker 7 (35:32):
Yeah, we just we do have a few paid workers
as well. Yeah, you know, but what really the it's
so advantageous for us to have the volunteers because of
the fact that then there's you know, all that money
is coming right back into the services and programs that
we provide. And so the Christmas in July is a
part of our one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary this year.
(35:54):
We want to highlight that and we do need volunteers
for that. So if you're interested, please go to Salvation Army,
Memphis dot org. Okay, and I know that if you
write uh, I think there's a place you can message us,
there is an Amy, We'll get back to you and
and to be able to help us to raise much
needed funds again for this this community and for the
(36:15):
things that the Salvation Army does.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
So so Christmas in July is going to be for
people donating.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
The They're actually going to ring the bell just like
they do during the Christmas season. And we have a
great partnership with Kroger and so we're going to go
to you know a certain amount of stores and volunteers
and some other folks. Of course with the Army, we'll
be out there ringing the bell and and so that
will go right back into helping us do what we
(36:44):
do here in Memphis in the mid South. So it'll
be a little probably weird for people to be really cold,
yes exactly, but it's it's something that we've done in
other communities and it's been really very successful.
Speaker 6 (36:59):
So we're really we're really excited about it.
Speaker 5 (37:02):
And you know, a major Cheryl and Amy, I'm thinking
that it's also at Christmas in July. It's giving you
a head start of raising the money because it's needed.
Speaker 7 (37:14):
Listen, Summer is our what we call our slim months, yes, okay,
where there's not a lot of funding that is coming
in and so honestly it's needed. It helps us, you know,
Don't Memphis probably presents the Ben Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Let me say, bethn.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Me first, let me you say, She's done memphistoga.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
All no matter of the problem, she can have so
all the photo normans on your mind.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
She jimmy ring in the hair by chilling you to
just keep the thing when arindle picking up Miss Johnson Show,
because I got out there every fuck you can hear
every day. Let me you dee, I ain't my bell
(01:02):
got me a missed up and yet.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Good morning, good morning, good morning, and welcome into w
d i A The Rev. Johnson Show. It is indeed
a pleasure to have you with.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Us once again on this my day, April fourteenth, twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Enjoy this fabulous day to day.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
We'll get ready to put your ears on as we
share the good news this day. I like this good news.
I'll tell you about it. We have special guests coming in.
Then we'll share the good.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
News with you.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
When it's your turn to talk.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
You know you can nine zero one five three five
nine three four two eight hundred and five zero three
nine three four to two eight three three five three
five nine three four two will get you in to
me and if this day, this day, Monday, April fourteenth,
(03:49):
twenty twenty five, is your birthday. Happy birthday to each
and every one of y'all out there who may be
celebrating a birthday.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
On this day.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
We say God, y'all go out and celebrate your life.
You better, you better. When we come back, we'll talk
the good news we'll share with you next with me
Bev Johnson on the Bev Johnson Show only on w.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
D I A.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Good morning, and welcome back to wd I A The
Bev Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
I'm bad.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
It is indeed a pleasure I have you with us
once again on this beautiful Monday in Memphis, Tennessee. It
is April fourteenth, twenty twenty five, and I hope wherever
you are it is a gorgeous day.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Wherever you are well.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
I said earlier that I'm getting ready to share the
good news, and I like this good news and always.
Let me introduce to you our guest in the studio.
We have Commander Major Sheryl Gilliam from the Salvation Army.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
And my sister friend is here. I just love you.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
She's communications and everything. Amy Sparpolis is here, and let
me say good morning, ladies.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
You all a looking gorgeous this morning.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Good, good, good doing great, great.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
You're looking fabulous. You're looking fabulous.
Speaker 5 (05:59):
I always said we spread the good news, and this
is the good news because I like this news. Anytime
I am able to talk about the Salvation Army, and
I want to start with Major Cheryl and Major Eryl. Good.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
You're doing well seen in a while.
Speaker 7 (06:16):
I know it's been busy, but I'm doing really well.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
I was just thinking, how long have you and your
husband been here in Memphis.
Speaker 7 (06:23):
Now we will finish up two years in June.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Wow. Wow wow, so so far, so good, so far,
so good.
Speaker 7 (06:32):
Yeah, it's been a joy to be here.
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Well, I know, and I'm glad. You know, people talk
about Memphis, but Memphis is a good city.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
It is, it is.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Memphis is a good city. So good it really is.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
I want to ask, you know before some of our
listeners who are listening, who may just not know they
hear the name Salvation Army. And I think a lot
of times when people think about the Salvation, well, I
tell you what I always think about it. I always
think about the musical. Yes, and every time I think
(07:13):
about Salvation Army. I see guys and dolls, and I
see those folks, But the Salvation Army is more than that.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Tell our listeners about the Salvation.
Speaker 7 (07:23):
Yeah, the Salvation Army is actually a part of the
Evangelical Church. We are a part of the church. Where
you could say we're just a denomination within the church, right,
we are a part of the Christian Church. And our
message is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
it's to meet human needs without discrimination. And so you know,
(07:44):
I was called at the age of twelve, Wow, a
Salvation Army officer, which is actually a pastor. So if
you are interviewing an officer or you see a funny
uniform with red epplets, that means that we are ordained ministers.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And so I want to go back at the age
of twelve.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
At an age of twelve, I see, I grew up
in the Salvation Army. Oh okay, a church.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Okay, got you.
Speaker 7 (08:07):
It's a church first and to the church first.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
And see that. That's why I want you to tell.
Speaker 7 (08:12):
Folks, right, we're not that great at tell them the story.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
No you're not.
Speaker 7 (08:16):
But we're going to rectify that today. So William Booth,
our founder, was a Methodist circus circuit preacher, okay, and
he would go into areas in London and he would
preach the gospel to put into poor areas, marginalized areas,
and he would go and preach the gospel, and then
he would bring these folks into that Anglican church, and
(08:37):
they were not accepted. And so William Booth decided, well,
you know what if if they're not going to be accepted,
then we're gonna we're going to begin our own movement.
We're going to begin our own church, and we're going
to preach the gospel and disciple these new converts to
be on fire Christians for the Lord Jesus Christ. And
so that's kind of a synopsis, I mean, a real
(08:58):
quick brief synopsis of our beginnings back in eighteen sixty five.
So the Salvation Army has been in existence for one
hundred and sixty years wow, and worldwide, but first and
foremost were at church. Now, the social services aspect that
we do is our our why, it's our mandate right
we are we're called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
(09:21):
But if someone's hurting, if someone's struggling. If someone needs help,
they're not going to hear the gospel message, if they're
struggling without food, if they're struggling with no home, if
their kids are experiencing difficulties in their lives. And so
it's the Salvation Army's mission to be able to help
people to get out of those situations so that they
(09:44):
can hear clearly the voice of God and accept the
good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and also get
back on their feet because He is the answer.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (09:54):
I'm glad you explained that, because again, a lot of
people don't know that the Self Asian Army is a
Christian uganization.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah. And with the work you do, oh my goodness,
I love the work because you all have helped a
lot of people.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
But I want to talk Major Cheryl about so people
will know what the Salvation Army is doing here in Memphis.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
Right. So, we have three residential shelters within our Producer
of Hope and we primarily assist women with children. And
that's one of the greatest things about I think what
we do here in Memphis is that there's another organization
that we know of that is specializing with helping women
(10:42):
with children to be able to meet the needs that
they have as well as their children's needs. So we
have an emergency Family Shelter, which is, you know, if
you are experiencing some kind of immediate crisis, then we
have that to offer. We have a recovery program for
women with children, which is unheard of, I think in
(11:05):
this whole area, not just Memphis, but in many cities.
They don't have those opportunities. And then we have what's
called the Single Women's Shelter or a lodge, which helps
women without children to get back on their feet. And
we have a myriad of different wrap around services that
also help these women. So we don't just give them
(11:27):
a place to stay and say, hey, you know, have
at it, yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
You know, but you give them a place to stay,
but also you give them tools, I'm sure, skills so
they can get back out into.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
The world, that's right.
Speaker 7 (11:39):
We have budgeting classes, we have parenting classes, we have
you know, job interview classes, and we help them actually
to get to the appointments that they need to get to.
And then while the women are focusing on their own
strengthening and getting back on their feet, we have wrap
around services for the children. We have after school daycare
(12:01):
we provide, we help provide daycare for the little babies
that we have coming in and and so you know,
there's just we have a counseling, which is our intensive outpatient.
We have counseling that we provide for the mamas and
for the children if needed. And so there's just you know,
a variety of things that we offer the women to
help get them long term on their feet. You know,
(12:24):
we're the days of putting a band aid. I mean
that's necessary too, don't get me wrong. Yeah, it is
necessary to get someone off the street and get them
a quick solution. But the truth is is that the
longevity and what we're trying to accomplish in these women's
lives is what's going to be is what's going to
help them, you know, get back on their feet, and
(12:45):
it's going to be help them to be self sustaining
and successful. And then wrapped around all of that, we
offer them the good news of Jesus Christ, because again,
without him, you know, there really isn't a that is
long term.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
Yeah, you know, eternal, Yes, yes, so so, major Cheryl,
in bringing in the women and children, your success stories
would you say that the Salvation Army here has had
quite a few success stories.
Speaker 7 (13:18):
We have had many successful stories, And if you're interested,
go to Salvation Army Memphis dot org and under one
of the tabs. I can't remember, Amy's gonna have to
remind me of that maybe, but under one of the
tabs you will see videos of actually women. It's at
oh about us, Yes, okay, okay. So if you go
under Salvation Army Memphis dot org and go about us,
you will find probably about thirty thirty five videos of
(13:43):
actual women and their children who've gone through and who've
been touched by the Salvation Armies programs, ministries and services
in this community that have changed their lives forever. And
it's just such a privilege to be able to see
that happen, a transformation take place. I mean, I've watched
women walk in just so broken, shut down, not wanting
(14:05):
to make eye contact, not even wanting to really engage,
and then three weeks in I see them, because we
attend the church every week, and I see them, and
all of a sudden, you see the light starting to
come in their eyes, and you see this receptivity that
they didn't have when they first came in and then
there's relationships being built and that's what the Kingdom of
(14:26):
God is about.
Speaker 6 (14:27):
Yes, right, it is so.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
And of course you know we also refer them and
get them connected with people in the community to be
able to help again that sustaining process of being going
from homelessness to self sufficiency.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
So Major Cheryl, A lot of the women who come in,
are they homeless or are they coming from situations of
domestic abuse or it's all okay.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
It's all above right, there's homelessness. There's people who are
caught an addiction or they're an addiction and they want
a way out, and so they they they come to us,
whether they're referred or it's you know, self referral.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (15:10):
There are people in all kinds of situations that come
to us for assistance and for for for guidance and
so uh again, we're just privileged to be able to
be in that crossroad, in that place where we can
provide a safe place and away for a better life.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
And and and once these women come and and you
serve them and they get back out in the world,
I'm sure you help them with the resources you all
that try to get them housing or try to get
them employed somewhere.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Yes, So we have a staff okay of caseworkers and
counselors that walk with each woman. We call we call
it Pathway of Hope okay, okay. And so every woman
who comes in along with child has to go through
casework and a casework journey where they are. You know,
they have goals, They set goals for themselves because each
(16:09):
each each situation is different, right, and it's unique to them.
So they have to set certain goals for themselves and
then our staff walk through them. Our trained staff walk
through them and many different levels to be able to
help them to get where they need to go.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
I'm curious with the women who come in with children
and while they're there, are the children educated there or
do they go back into the schools they.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
Going to school?
Speaker 6 (16:41):
They go to school neighborhoods.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
Yeah, they go to the neighborhood schools. And then we
have tutoring after school that we provide with snacks and
you know, kind of like your typical after school program.
So we have staff that are employed with us for that,
and we have volunteers teachers who've come alongside and said
I want to give back, and I want to be
able to help these children to be successful, and so
(17:07):
we provide that Monday through Friday Friday after school. We
also have what's called Camp Hope that operates during spring
break or fall break and during the summer, which again
is like a day camp for these children to be
able to have just good old fun, learn some skills
(17:27):
and and some life skills, and be able to go
on field trips and just just have a wonderful time.
You know, we make it. We obviously don't want this
to be their per home, right, but while they're there,
we make it. We're a family, okay, and so we
make it a home for them. And you know, I
(17:47):
mean one of my one of my greatest joys is
interacting with these kids. I love it. So on Sundays,
I'm not the pastor senior pastor there, we have a
we have a set of officers that are assigned just
to be the past or for our produce Center of Hope.
So one thing I do on Sundays is I take
the zero to five year old out for junior church
(18:07):
or you know, during the sermon, and I just love it.
I mean, to love on them and to be able
to teach them Jesus and just show them the love
of Jesus. It's just an amazing thing. And the thing
is is I receive so much more than I think
that I ever give to them.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
When you're talking about it now, I see it in
your eyes that it brings you great joy. I love it.
I love it.
Speaker 7 (18:28):
I know these kids by name, you know. They tell
me when they're doing well in school, the older kids,
And that's how our staff is.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
You know.
Speaker 7 (18:37):
Again, we're a family, and we want the very best
for these young people as they grow up. In a
difficult situation now, but our prayer is that this would
be a marker moment in their lives to say I
saw Jesus during this time and I want to follow him.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
If you've just tuned in this day, we are talking
with my guest from the Salvation Army. Commander Major Cheryl
Gilliam is here, Amy Sparopolis. I like to say she's
director of Communications. Hey, I now just say that she
is here. If you have a question or two for
the ladies and you want to know about the Salvation Army.
Because I have more questions, we invite you to call
(19:20):
now nine zero one five, three, five, nine, three four
two eight hundred five zero three nine three four two
eight three three five three five nine three four two
will get you in to us. You're listening to double
d i A The Bevtosyshow.
Speaker 4 (19:54):
Don't Go Away. The BEV Johnson Show returns after these messages.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Working hard to bring you OUTA days now.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Good morning, and welcome back to w d i A.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
I am talking with Commander Major Cheryl Gilliam of the
Salvation Army, and Amy Sparopolis is here, director of Communications,
I like to say, and Major Scheryl, I'm looking at
my email and Mike, Mike wanted to know, he says,
Major Cheryl, you talk about women and children.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
Do you have programs for men?
Speaker 7 (21:11):
We do. In Memphis, the Salvation Army has what's called
an Adult Rehabilitation Center, which is a recovery program for men,
and so that's located on Kirby Witten. So yes, we do,
Thank the Lord. It doesn't come under necessarily our leadership,
but it is a Salvation Army and we collaborate and
(21:32):
work very closely. I mean, the Salvation Army is a
Salvation Army. It just comes under different leadership. But so yes,
we do have that recovery program for me. And it's
not just a shelter. It's a specific rehabilitation program for
those walking in recovery.
Speaker 5 (21:46):
So walking in recovery not necessarily is someone coming into
a center that trying to get sobered up. These men
are already are trying to stay sober.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They have a specific need. They can come to us
not sober and they'll be taken through again case management
and things like that right to help them. But it
is just it's a specific program. So it's not like
the women's and children where we have a shelter and
then a few rep round services that help them. It's
(22:20):
specifically for the recovery good.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
And also let me point out that so each Salvation
Army in each city mimics the needs of the community.
So when we October of the nineteen hundreds, when the
Memphis Salvation Army first started, because this year we celebrate
one hundred and twenty five years, which is amazing, we
had our you know, envisioned how we thought it would look.
(22:47):
And I say we obviously we weren't here then were
the officers. But God directs and you heard man plans.
God directs well, that's exactly what happened, because God knew
the needs for the Salvation Army. So we were born
then and how we started. The Produced Center of Hope
(23:08):
was one arm of our army. Several years later the
arc which Major Cheryl was talking about was our second arm,
the Adult Rehabilitation Center off Kirby Witten and then the
years later the Crop Center of Memphis was our third arm.
So each one of those serves a different group of
(23:29):
people and a different need that is desperately needed here
in Memphis. But they all operate, so to speak, under
one army, and Major Cheryl Gillam and her husband, Major
Tim Gillam are the Memphis Area commanders, so they are
over the umbrella of those three arms of the army.
(23:50):
But together we're all operating under his army, which is
Jesus Christ. So we're doing work at each facility that
made look a little different, but we're all helping to
serve be the hands and feet of Jesus on the streets.
So it's such a beautiful partnership together we work, you know,
(24:13):
to really William Booth, Major Cheryl was talking about William Booth.
His philosophy was soup soap and Salvation. If you can
provide a bar of soap for someone a bowl of
soup to fill their belly, you can ultimately lead them
to Jesus.
Speaker 6 (24:30):
And we believe that today.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
So while our things may look a little different, we're
all the bottom line is we want to help men,
women and children in Memphis in.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
The mid South. That I love that soup, soap and salvation. Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Oh wow, it's really beautiful. And so at the Croc
Center we have church and that's open because I want
to ask.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
Because we hear a lot of about the Croc Center
the cosy, so tell us what goes on there.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
So this is the twelfth anniversary for the Croc Center
this year. Wow, so one hundred and twenty five years
in Memphis, not the world in Memphis, min alone. Croc
Center is twelve years old this year.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
And that was.
Speaker 7 (25:14):
It is a wonderful expression, a unique expression. Not every
community has a Salvation Army Croc Center. Croc Center. It
really focuses on physical, physical wellbeing, community coming together. There's
a theater program that we have and many many community
oriented events that happen there. And then we also have
(25:36):
a Croc Church So, like I told you, there's a
set of pastors who are at Purdue, there's also a
set of pastors at the CROC, and so they oversee
the spiritual aspects that happen at the CROC.
Speaker 5 (25:49):
Oh And I know, because we hear about the KROC,
and we know some people may think that I go
there too, as you mentioned physical exercises.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
But it's more than that.
Speaker 7 (26:00):
Yeah, because this is the truth about the Salvation Army.
We are holistic in our approach. Okay, we're body, soul,
and spirit. Okay, body, mind, spirit, and the Salvation Army
I believe touches every single one of those. Physically, we're
helping people to get to a better place in life,
whether that is from homelessness to self sufficiency, or whether
(26:22):
that is their physical fitness needs and things like that, right,
whether that's the ability to have an arts program in
their life and be able to be creative in that way.
But we're also our main goal, and that's like I
said earlier on in the show, our mission is to
preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to live out the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so in every one of
(26:44):
our programs, you are going to touch the spiritual aspect
and be introduced to Jesus in some way, shape or form.
And so, I mean that's just one of the unique
blessings that we have to be able to help people
in their journey, because again, everything, everything that we do
is a holistic approach to getting people back on their
(27:06):
free feet. The Lord always speaks to me about metaphors
when it comes to my physical fitness. And you know,
at one point in my life, I was walking a
mile and I was huffing and puffing and huffing and puffing,
and I just, you know, kept on feeling like, well,
if if you just keep going, you know, and then
you pass that threshold where you have a greater capacity
to be able to work out even more. Right, Well,
(27:28):
it's the same in your spiritual life. And so to
be able to offer those things together is just a
it's a gift and it's a blessing, and we pray
that it touches this community in a profound way.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Yeah, and I'm sure over the years, what one hundred
and twenty five years here.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
One hundred and twenty five years, right, And you know,
it's interesting because one of the questions that I get
asked often, is you know we ring a lot of
folks know we ring the bells during the holiday season.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
It's four weeks out of there, because everybody knows. Everybody
knows Bill.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
Well, what folks don't know is that every diamond dollar
that are that's put in those kettles goes to keep
the lights on at the Produce Center of Hope. So
if it wasn't for people in the community coming out
and helping us through that red Kettle initiative, we wouldn't
be able to operate the Produce Center of Hope. Okay,
So at the Arc, the thrift store that we were
(28:22):
talking about, they will come and they will pick up
your goods and like your furniture, your clothes, they'll do
that for free. One eight hundred sal Army is who
you call, so they'll come and pick your goods up
and then that provides a work therapy program. So it's
very it's a very interesting partnership and a lot of
(28:45):
what also folks don't know is we have a huge
emergency disaster service program. So when when when nine to
eleven happened years ago, we had we had officers on
the ground in some cases before paramedics were on the ground, wow,
praying for people, providing spiritual care. So when we had
(29:07):
this recent tornado and floods, we were ready. We were
ready to mobilize people in our mobile canteen. Thanks to
FedEx because they provided those mobile canteens for us, we
were ready to go to the places where people need
help and spiritual care and assistance.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Well.
Speaker 7 (29:25):
And the truth is even today, every Monday, our canteen
goes out throughout our city giving about one hundred and
twenty lunches on Monday.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yes, so it's a great volunteer opportunity for folks bev Okay.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
So we have a team that's out today in the mornings.
They prepare the lunches and then they go to certain
areas of Memphis, Okay, and they hand out lunches.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
To my goodness, I didn't know that, and I'm sure
if I did know that, and there are a lot
of our listeners listening didn't know that as well.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
So they just picked different neighborhoods.
Speaker 7 (29:58):
And they're building relationship with people again, because the thing
is is that it's not enough just to drop by
put a band aid on a situation. No, right, Because
we when you get to know people just like we're
doing right now. Then you go, oh, I didn't know
you did this too, or I didn't know you needed that.
So we have this that could be offered, or we
refer them to different places that can help them. Because
we're not lone rangers either. You know, we have to
(30:21):
be integrated within the community with other nonprofits who are
who are also helping this community in various ways, and
they might have opportunities that we don't have.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
And so.
Speaker 7 (30:35):
When we get to know people, we get to know
their situation and we can then refer them or we
can say, oh, we can offer this, we can help
you with this, and so yeah, every Monday they alternate.
The CROC does it one The CROC is in charge
of it one Monday, and then Produce Center of Hope
is in charge of it the next Monday. People on
the street are not going to know who the difference,
but the Salvation Army is on the street every Monday
(30:56):
giving lunches out to different communities in our area that
are yeah.
Speaker 6 (31:01):
And blessing bags.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
We provide blessing bags and it's personal hygiene items shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, so.
Speaker 6 (31:10):
And a Bible Oh yeah, I love that. So it's beautiful.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
I want to go back, Amy and tell me more
about the thrift store. You mentioned the thrift store.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Yeah, so it's really interesting because we much like we
have officers at each at the CROC Center and at
the Produce Center of Hope, we have Captain Ryan and
Amber Mayo stationed at the ARC and it's just really
a unique partnership. And I know, Major you and your
husband have known Captain Mayo's the Mayo's for a really
(31:44):
long time.
Speaker 7 (31:44):
So Ryan came through the Salvation Army Adult real Bilitation
Center in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
Okay, well, my.
Speaker 7 (31:50):
Husband and I were the area commanders in Saint Pete
and so my husband actually had an opportunity to disciple
Ryan and their relationship. Now we're stationed in the same
city city.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Uh huh.
Speaker 7 (32:02):
Ryan received his calling to become a Salvation Army officer
from the Lord. He then is stationed here and we
have this amazing opportunity to be able to minister together.
And they still have a close discipleship relationship as well,
you know, and so that's a beautiful thing. But the
Heiress is is just a wonderful again expression of the
Salvation Army's work within our community. And as Amy said,
(32:25):
the the funds that are raised through the strift thrift
Store helped to operate okay, don't really rehabilitation center and
be able to provide the men that attend uh then
the much needed recovery resources.
Speaker 6 (32:38):
That they need.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
So the thrift store, Amy, people donate goods or how
does that work?
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Or yeah, they can donate goods and I mean, I'm
really you know, now it's very popular for people to
they go thrifting.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
This is my children have told me this. But but
but yeah, so we.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
Take furniture, we take dishes, we take silverware, we take clothes,
we take everything.
Speaker 6 (33:06):
And in fact, they have a whole crew who.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
I can't remember the terminology for this, but it was
fascinating to watch they actually go through jewelry that is
received and they price it appropriately and so it's really neat.
But yes, they will come and pick those items up
from any anywhere in Memphis free of charge, and they
go in the thrift store.
Speaker 6 (33:27):
And the men who are in the program and they,
you know, they just they get a lot.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
They get a lot from this program because it's you know,
they provide just a way of life for folks, you know,
and it's it's just a great.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
And all of the again, all of the money that's
raised from that thrift store goes to help with that
recovery program, right, Okay, that's that's the main source of
their their donations and things like that. So so it's
just a wonderful opportunity again in this community to see
lives changed, transformed, and to see you know, people go
(34:06):
from a state of brokenness to again wholeness. And we
have the opportunity to witness that almost daily. And so
it's just such a blessing.
Speaker 6 (34:18):
And you've heard one man's trash is another man's treasure. Yeah, yeah,
you've found you have been.
Speaker 1 (34:23):
Able, We've been able to find some amazing treasures at
that facility.
Speaker 4 (34:29):
I'm sure. I'm sure. I'm sure.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
And and I want to talk also as Amy, because
I know I see you, we'll be seeing you during
the holidays. When you talk about the red kettle and
ringing the bell. Now, the folks who are ringing the bell,
are they volunteers or are they are part of the South.
Speaker 6 (34:46):
How does that they are volunteers?
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Oh, yes, volunteers, they are volunteers, and in fact, that's
where you know, doing things like this really are so
important for us because we have volunteer and parartnerships with
a lot of schools, and in fact, we have a
group of young young people that have been volunteering for
us for years through our Angel Tree program and they
(35:10):
come out and they work the Angel Tree warehouse and
they help us to help others.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
And that's children and adults.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
But yes, all of the volunteer, all of the folks
that you see ringing our bells are volunteers.
Speaker 6 (35:23):
And in fact, we're going to have a great event
coming up soon and it's Christmas. Christmas in July, Oh,
Christmas in July.
Speaker 7 (35:32):
Yeah, we just we do have a few paid workers
as well. Yeah, you know, but what really the it's
so advantageous for us to have the volunteers because of
the fact that then there's you know, all that money
is coming right back into the services and programs that
we provide. And so the Christmas in July is a
part of our one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary this year.
(35:54):
We want to highlight that and we do need volunteers
for that. So if you're interested, please go to Salvation Army,
Memphis dot org. Okay, and I know that if you
write uh, I think there's a place you can message us,
there is an Amy, We'll get back to you and
and to be able to help us to raise much
needed funds again for this this community and for the
(36:15):
things that the Salvation Army does.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
So so Christmas in July is going to be for
people donating.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
The They're actually going to ring the bell just like
they do during the Christmas season. And we have a
great partnership with Kroger and so we're going to go
to you know a certain amount of stores and volunteers
and some other folks. Of course with the Army, we'll
be out there ringing the bell and and so that
will go right back into helping us do what we
(36:44):
do here in Memphis in the mid South. So it'll
be a little probably weird for people to be really cold,
yes exactly, but it's it's something that we've done in
other communities and it's been really very successful.
Speaker 6 (36:59):
So we're really we're really excited about it.
Speaker 5 (37:02):
And you know, a major Cheryl and Amy, I'm thinking
that it's also at Christmas in July. It's giving you
a head start of raising the money because it's needed.
Speaker 7 (37:14):
Listen, Summer is our what we call our slim months, yes, okay,
where there's not a lot of funding that is coming
in and so honestly it's needed. It helps us, you know,
Popular Podcasts
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Decisions, Decisions
Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal journeys navigating their 30s, tackling the complexities of modern relationships, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions that challenge societal expectations. From groundbreaking interviews with diverse guests to relatable stories that resonate with your experiences, "Decisions, Decisions" is your go-to source for open dialogue about what it truly means to love and connect in today's world. Get ready to reshape your understanding of relationships and embrace the freedom of authentic connections—tune in and join the conversation!