Joanne is a very grateful and positive person and when I found out she has been volunteering for Salvation Army, Christmas Kettle campaign for several years I decided to highlight her involvement and the work of The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has been serving Edmonton and area since 1893, providing practical assistance to our city’s most vulnerable. Addiction recovery care, hot meals, Christmas assistance, back-to-school supplies, transitional housing, clothing, and more are available to help people build a better life for themselves. You can find the Christmas Kettles at many malls and grocery stores in the Edmonton area.
Joanne volunteers for 2 hour shifts at St. Albert Centre. When I asked her why she does it, she mentioned her desire to “help others in her church and community”. Her motivation for her work is Matthew 25:31 – 46. Unfortunately, she broke her wrist and is unable to volunteer fully this year and is experiencing the blessing of community during her recovery.
Thank you to all those who volunteer during the Christmas season and those who make a difference year-round.
Matthew 25: 31 – 46: The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”