Commending The Salvation Army on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary in Philadelphia and proclaiming October 5, 2004 as Salvation Army Day.

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army began its U.S. mission in Philadelphia in 1879 by 16-year-old Eliza Shirley who courageously established The Salvation Army’s work of reaching out to people in need and transforming their lives; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army, from these humble beginnings, now operates more than 9,400 service centers across the country through which 42 million hurting people were served last year; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia ministers to children, teens, adults, families and senior citizens through hundreds of year-round supportive services that touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia operates 16 Corps Community Centers throughout the region providing outreach services such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, food pantries, clothing assistance and GED classes; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia, each year, provides more than one million meals, nearly 400,000 nights of lodging, and 14,000 visits to shut-ins; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia spends $.91 of every dollar raised on programs and services that change people’s lives every single day of the year; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia continues to reach out those in the depths of despair with a strong belief that no matter whom the people, or what their need, the deliverance of hope gives them the strength needed to thrive; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby honor and commend The Salvation Army on the occasion of its 125 Anniversary in Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That City Council proclaim October 5, 2004, as Salvation Army Day.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Salvation Army as a token of this legislative body’s sincere appreciation for its dedication to providing physical, emotional and spiritual support to the people of Philadelphia.

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