News - 2006 Nov 9

Maj. Chet Emmons thanks all the volunteers who gave their time to the Salvation Army in Portsmouth, during a Volunteer Recognition Dinner Wednesday evening.

PORTSMOUTH — It takes hundreds of people to wrap presents, ring bells, cook meals and do all the little things that make the Salvation Army run.

To show its appreciation, the Salvation Army held a volunteers' dinner on Wednesday. About 80 people attended.

"Volunteers are important at the Salvation Army to keep things going along," said Maj. Chet Emmons, who is the commanding officer at the Portsmouth Salvation Army along with his wife Joy.

The Salvation Army serves a meal every day of the year except Thanksgiving, when other organizations like Rotary Club pick up the slack. Emmons said 45 different groups help out with cooking meals.

"We have over 4,000 people to help us throughout the year. ... We wanted to get them together to say 'thank you,'" he said.

Among the groups that have volunteered this year include First United Methodist Church, St. Catherine's Church, Traip Academy, Immaculate Concept Church, Christopher's Church, Middle Street Baptist Church, Knights of Columbus, North Church, Exeter Congregational Church, Universalist-Unitarian Church, St. Patrick's School Builders Club, Peer Leadership, Rye Congregational Church, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Seacoast Kiwanis. Fox Run Mall allows the Salvation Army to use space for its gift-wrapping table.

Panera Bread has also provided support and donated funds to make Wednesday's dinner possible.

The St. Patrick's School Builders Club, which is an organization of youth doing community service projects, won the "Bell Ringer Award." Temple Israel won "Outstanding Volunteer Group" for its work at the soup kitchen. Evelyn Eagan won "Volunteer of the Year."

Eagan said she started volunteering 10 years ago when her friend needed an extra hand. She said she likes helping serve the people. "It gets me out of the house," she said.

Joe Boldiga of Immaculate Conception Church said church groups have been helping for 8 years.

Before the meal, 14 children from the Salvation Army's Children's Program performed three songs.

Emmons said more volunteers are always welcome and the organization's biggest needs now are bell ringers and wrappers. For more information on how to volunteer, call 436-2606.