The Salvation Army launched its annual Christmas Appeal yesterday at the Georgetown Club, where the call was made for public support.
Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army Major Emmerson Cumberbatch said the organisation’s local ministering of souls is spread across the country. He noted that the organisation consists of churches around the city as well as in Mahaicony, Berbice, Linden, New Amsterdam and Vergenoegen. He further noted that there is also a feeding programme, Drug Rehabilitation Centre, half-way house and a hostel which make up the ministry of the Salvation Army. He said that the objective of the organisation is to save souls and to minister to them without discrimination in any way.
Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar, during his feature address, lauded the work of the organisation and likened his administration’s work to it. “We try to help the poor, help to give support to the vulnerable in the society and we ourselves try to continuously do that at every level of our society,” he stated.
Additionally, Ramotar said that the help extended by the organisation seeks to empower, which he argued is the best kind of help. It gives people the capacity to be able to help themselves and by extension others, which is the core of the Salvation Army’s work and “also at the core of the government’s activities,” he added, while mentioning the “Because we care” cash grant for school children and the increase of the non-contributory senior citizens pension, which he said is now $13,600.
Current inmates of the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Centre made a dramatic presentation at the launch to illustrate the need for support for drug users who desire to overcome their addiction. The Youth Choral entertained with a few Christmas choruses and the Republican Steel Orchestra also performed some popular gospel songs.
Ramotar kicked off the Appeal by making the first donation, followed by the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, other government officials and dignitaries, as well as members of the media.
