Making their appearance as bell-ringing Santas collecting donations at Christmastime, the Salvation Army offers its services in more than 80 countries. Members live frugally, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and offer aid to all who need.

Begun in 1865 through the efforts of Methodist preacher, William Booth, early salvationers were London slum dwellers urged to embrace the Christian promise of salvation.

When traditional churches rejected his tattered converts, Booth created a local mission, overseen by a quasi military organization. Dubbed the Salvation Army, of which Booth was general, “soldiers” ministered to spiritual and physical needs of those less fortunate.

Its American branch was established in 1880; in 1904 Booth’s daughter Evangeline became its commander.

Initially met with hostility, today the Salvation Army is revered; it offers many social programs, including children’s aid, hostels for the elderly, halfway housing for alcoholics, vocational training, prison work, shelters for the homeless, and relief for disaster victims, such as sufferers of hurricane Katrina and survivors of the New Orleans flooding.

©Lori S. Anton