The Salvation Army in Des Monies, Iowa -- News

Lolo Jones pays a surprise visit to Citadel Corps
     International track star Lolo Jones paid a surprise visit to The Salvation Army’s Citadel Corps and Summer Day Camp on June 28. Ms. Jones and an NBC television crew visited the Corps to help tell the story of how her family lived at the Corps during a time of homelessness when she was a child.
     Lolo was active in the Corps’ children’s ministries during her childhood.
     After playing a game of Dodgeball with the day camp children, Lolo encouraged them to reach for their goals, pointing out her own situation as a child.
     The NBC crew captured video of Lolo Jones and the day campers in preparation for coverage of Lolo prior to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The footage is expected to be broadcast in August 2012. The film crew director said some of the video may be shown on NBC’s Today Show sooner.

Family services director joins staff
     Marie Birdsley is the new director of family services for the Salvation Army in Des Moines. She succeeds Bev Johnson who died unexpectedly in February.
    A native of the Des Moines metro, Marie is a graduate of Urbandale High School. She received a BS in Child, Adult and Family Services from ISU in May.
    As a college student she had considerable internship experience with the Iowa Department of Human Services.
      In her new position Marie supervises all aspects of The Salvation Army’s social services outreach in Des Moines .

Newly commissioned officer assigned to Citadel
     Lt. Janelle Cleaveland has been assigned as the new associate officer at The Salvation Army’s Citadel Corps in Des Moines. A native of Clinton, Iowa, Lt. Cleaveland was ordained and commissioned as a Lieutenant/Pastor on June 13 in Schaumburg, Ill.
     After earning a bachelor’s degree in community relations and marketing in Wisconsin, she entered the College for Officer Training from Waukesha. She is working on her Masters degree to further prepare for the ministry.
     Lt. Cleaveland will begin her duties at the Citadel Corps on July 1.

Temple Corps member heading for Moldova
     A member of the Temple Corps Worship Center in Des Moines will participate in an August mission trip to Moldova. Donna Richardson is one of a dozen persons from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota who will assist Salvation Army leaders in Moldova in various forms of ministry including worship, teaching and work detail.
     Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II but has been independent since 1991. Slightly larger than Maryland, Moldova remains one of the poorest nations in Europe.
     Though most expenses are covered by The Salvation Army, Ms. Richardson is responsible for $500 of the costs. Contributions to assist her in this expense can be sent to the Temple Corps, Box 933, Des Moines, IA 50304.

Principal Foundation gives $5K to Infant Center
    The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc., has awarded a $5,000 grant to The Salvation Army’s Infant Center in Des Moines.
The funds will be used to assist young mothers in need of formula, diapers, car seats and other necessities. Last year the Infant Center handled 2,834 cases serving 4,851 infants.
     The Principal Financial Group Foundation has generously supported The Salvation Army’s family services department and infant center in recent years.

Salvation Army billboard coming up in metro
    Thanks to a generous public service program offered by Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising, The Salvation Army will be the subject of outdoor advertising in the Des Moines metro. For a modest installation fee, Clear Channel Outdoor is placing a 14” x 48” “Doing the Most Good” billboard at various locations around the metro over the next year.
    During the Christmas season the billboard will promote Red Kettle contributions. This billboard will read, “When you put money in our kettle, expect change.”