Skip to main content

Salvation Army

Salvation Army Community Center spring schedule begins May 21

By Billie Owens

The Salvation Army announces its Spring 2012 Community Center Schedule. It begins Monday, May 21. The Salvation Army Community Center is located at 529 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.           

Open Gym and Game Room                                    Ages 13 and up

            Mondays & Thursdays  6 to 8 p.m.               Cost: $1 per hour

 

Men’s Pick Up Basketball                                          Ages: 18 and up

            Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.                                       Cost: $1 per hour

 

Youth Open Gym                                                       Grades 1-8

            Thursdays 3 to 5 p.m.                                    Cost: Free

 

Teen Open Gym                                                        Ages 13 and up

            Saturdays 7 to 9 p.m.                                    Cost: Free                                   

For more information contact: Major Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

Assemblyman Hawley hosts blood drive on Friday

By Billie Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) is hosting a blood drive at the Batavia Salvation Army Headquarters, 529 E. Main St., from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 17. The assemblyman is encouraging anyone able to donate to stop by the event and help save a life.

“Every donation to our local blood banks is critical in their efforts to save the lives of our friends, family and neighbors,” Hawley said. “Giving the gift of blood truly is giving the gift of life, and I look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces at this event helping our community.”

All those who have not donated since Dec. 23 are encouraged to participate. If you wish to donate, you may call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule an appointment, or visit redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are accepted as well.

Anyone age 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds, and in good health is eligible to donate blood. In New York state, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed "New York State Informed Parental Consent for 16-Year-Old to Donate Blood" form to the blood drive. The form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16.

Youth Dodgeball League being formed by the Salvation Army

By Billie Owens

A Dodgeball League for youth is being formed by the Salvation Army. It will be held on Saturdays beginning Feb. 4 at the Salvation Army Community Center, located at 529 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Play for fourth- through sixth-graders will begin at 10 a.m.

Play for seventh- and eighth-graders will begin at 1 p.m.

Play for high-schoolers starts at 3 p.m.

Registration forms are available at the Salvation Army or by calling 343-6284 or email <patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org>.

Red Kettle campaign aims for another $12K in donations

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Salvation Army, Batavia chapter, is in the last days of its annual Red Kettle Campaign. There are two days left and Major Robert Kurtz noted "that as of Wednesday 12/21/11 the amount raised so far is $50,589.00 This means we need to raise $4,000 per day (today and) for the next three days!"

The goal is $67,000.

Monies are used to help more than 1,500 children this Christmas season and will also be used through their financial aid office throughout the rest of this year as well as 2012.

"People are extremely generous this year," Kurtz said.

He hopes this continues to be true over these next few days.

He added: "We are so thankful to the community for their help, not only with monetary donations, but (with) the toy drives, food drives and all those willing to volunteer their time to help with the distribution of toys and food as well as those brave enough to ring those bells."

Volunteers are still needed to ring bells over the next few days. Please call 815-5955. Ask for Sue.

Photo: Present and tree bell ringers

By Howard B. Owens

Jackie Davis and Wayne Younge, of Summit Physical and Occupational Therapies, spent their hour ringing a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign dressed as a present and Christmas tree. The duo said they usually dress up for their hour at the kettle, but this year when they found out the would be ringing together, they decided to develop a coordinated costume.

React, The Salvation Army and local businesses are teaming up for Batavia youth!

By Wittnes Smith

React, The Salvation Army and local businesses are teaming up to give more to Batavia youth. "We are planning more teen and youth nights," says Major Patty (The Salvation Army). Game Players Unlimited has teamed up to sponsor a video game tournament for middle and high school students. This will take place on Thursday December 29th at 4PM at 529 E. Main St (The Salvation Army).

A few teachers from Attica middle school are volunteerting to help at our Youth Fun Night on December 27th at 6pm at 529 E, Main St (The Salvation Army). Jeff Morrow dresses up as a clown and does magic tricks along with animal balloons. Tressa Wilber-Smith will do face painting. Wittnes Smith says, "This is just a start of many to come, we're looking to do more fun events throughout the year for our youth."

REACT creates programs directed towards young people in middle and high school.The programs are geared to help them learn how to create and respond to positive change and being that positive change in their home, school and community. Young people are encouraged to find ways to counteract negative problems with creative, positive solutions.

 

 

Salvation Army kicks off Red Kettle Campaign, goal is $67K

By Billie Owens

Majors Patricia and Robert Kurtz received this year’s first donation to the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign at the Red Kettle Kick-off Celebration. The 2011 donation goal is $67,000.

Every dollar raised goes toward programs and services right here in Genesee County. The army would like to thank T-Shirts, Etc. and The Daily News for sponsoring kettles this year. Their designs will be used at the Batavia Wal-Mart location.

Other locations include JCPenney, Kmart, Batavia Tops Friendly Markets, Le Roy Tops Friendly Markets, and Tractor Supply Company.

To volunteer for bell-ringing or to donate, please contact Major Robert at 343-6284 or visit facebook.com/Salvation.Army.Genesee

'Toys & Tune-ups' helps Salvation Army help kids

By Billie Owens

Grease Lightning & Castrol Premium Lube auto repair shops in Western and Central New York will be teaming up with the Salvation Army to collect toys for area underprivileged children from Dec. 1-19.

The “Toys & Tune-ups” toy drive invites the public to drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Grease Lightning or Castrol Premium Lube location and they will get 25 percent off any oil change and 10 percent off all other auto services. Those people not needing immediate service will receive a voucher for that discount to redeem at a later time.

Locally, two Batavia stores are participating. One is at 50 Liberty St. and the other is at 4003 W. Main St. Road.

For more than 125 years, The Salvation Army has been working to do the most good possible for the less fortunate at Christmastime and all year round. The Salvation Army will once again help those in need by providing them with the necessities they need to become self-sufficient again -- like a place to stay in a crisis, much-needed groceries and emergency assistance.

This year, there are more requests for holiday help than ever. They will provide baskets of foods for our struggling neighbors and toys for the children. Donations are urgently needed.

Photos: Salvation Army's 36th annual Harvest Festival

By Howard B. Owens

The 36th annual Salvation Army Fall Festival is under way now at the Salvation Army HQ, 529 E. Main St., Batavia.

Besides a rummage sale and bake sale, at 6 p.m. the Spud Fest begins -- baked potatoes with all the fixin's along with a drink and desserts for $10.

Country Stompers' fundraiser dance is Saturday night

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Country Stompers line-dance group is holding a fundraiser dance from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Salvation Army Gym, located at 529 E. Main St., Batavia.

This will be a family affair and a great time to learn square dancing and line dancing. Line dance instruction will be given by Diane Winters.

Admission for dancers is $7 and for spectators $4. No admission is charged for students under age 16. There will also be a Chinese auction, and refreshments will be available.

The group is accepting donations of items for the Chinese auction. For information, contact Kate at 762-8791 or Diane at 356-8806.

The Genesee Country Stompers has been supporting the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Fund and the East Pembroke Grange on a regular basis for several years.

Several members attended a senior dance at The Salvation Army this summer and realized the gym would be a great location for a square dance. So, when they were notified that damage to the wood floor at the East Pembroke Grange would not allow them to hold a dance there this fall, members decided to hold their fundraiser at The Salvation Army and donate proceeds to them.
 

 

Salvation Army's 36th annual Harvest Festival features big sales and spud dinner

By Billie Owens

The 36th annual Harvest Festival put on by The Salvation Army is set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

It will be held at its community center, located at 529 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a mega rummage sale, featuring toys, books linenes, housewares, bric-a-brac, hourly grab bag sales and much more.

From 9 a.m. to noon there will be a blow-out bake sale with famous apple pies, sweets, farm produce and coffee.

Then at 6 p.m. the Spud Fest will begin and baked potatoes will be sold, with a bar of 10 toppings to choose from, along with a drink and dessert for $10.

For more information or to make donations, please call 343-6284.

Salvation Army hosts 'Major Steps 5K Walk'

By Billie Owens

The Salvation Army will be hosting its fifth  annual “Major Steps 5K Walk” on Saturday, April 30.

The monies raised will benefit The Salvation Army’s Emergency Family Services office, which provides food and financial assistance to families in Genesee County.

For individuals who are not able to complete the 5K walk there are two shorter routes. Strollers, wheelchairs, pull-along wagons and pets are welcome.

Again this year we will be offering “Take a Step Back." Recognized nonprofit groups can receive back 20 percent of the total they raise in pledges and/or donations. To be eligible, the group must have at least five walkers participating and each walker must have a minimum of $25 in pledges/donations.

Individuals registering before April 8 will receive an event T-shirt. This includes escorts as well as walkers.

For more information contact: Capt. Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

Salvation Army's gym reopens

By Billie Owens

The Salvation Army has announced that its gymnasium is now available for community programs and rental. The gym is 2,816 square feet of useable space and a reimbursement cost of $20 per hour is requested.

“We have been working on minor repairs and the heating system," said Captain Patty Kurtz. "Everything is completed and the facility can be used year round."

The facility can be used for special events, pick up games, group meetings, etc.

“In February we will be posting our Spring schedule with days and times for leagues, open gym, and pick up games," she said. "We have planned teen and youth nights as well."

For more information contact: Capt. Patty at 343-6284 or e-mail at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

2010 Red Kettle Campaign was a record-breaker

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from The Salvation Army.

Christmas 2010 was a record-breaking year for The Salvation Army, says local Captain Patricia Kurtz.

The 2010 Red Kettle Campaign goal was set at $65,000. With the bad weather losing a weekend of fund raising, and a hurting economy it was uncertain if the goal was attainable.

However, thanks to the generosity of the community $69,329 was raised exceeding the projected goal by $4,329.

It was also a record-breaking year for the number of families served for the holiday season.

“This year we assisted 1,324 families with food and toys," Kurtz said. "That is a 58 percent increase over last year.We knew there would be an increase but we did not project such a large percentage.”

These families represent 101 seniors and over 4,000 children receiving more than 9,000 meals and more than 10,000 gifts and toys.

Captain Kurtz expressed her appreciation to the community:

“This type of activity does not happen without a community wide effort. The Salvation Army and each family that received assistance owes a debt of gratitude to all the bell ringers, donors, Angel Tree sponsors, Adopt-A-Family sponsors, and stocking stuffers.”

Special thanks to the 312 bell ringers for providing over 1,200 volunteer hours and the 50 volunteers who served 403 hours in the toy shop. 

For more information contact: "Captain Patty" at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

Salvation Army's S.O.S.: Got turkey? An extra coat? A few bucks? Can you ring a bell?

By Billie Owens

With Christmas only a week away, the Genesee County Salvation Army is facing a critical time crunch to get the food and others items to families who need them. To say they are coming up short on donations this year, in this economy, is an understatement.

Plus, there's a dearth of bell-ringers, so that's taken a bite out of the Salvation Army's holiday charity campaign.

There are 750 local families who've applied for assistance, and plenty more on a waiting list.

"It's the working families who are really getting squeezed," said Capt. Patty Kurtz, "'the working poor' as the government calls them, are the majority of those who applied this year."

She said the charity used the bulk of its $15,000 Genesee County food budget to buy grocery store gift certificates this year. It also allows families to buy a turkey, ham or whatever for Christmas dinner, and stretches their food budget at a time when their kids are on winter break for two weeks.

The Salvation Army has stocked food items too, of course, with help from Batavia-based business Holiday Ice, which it will start giving out, along with the gift cards, to those on the list beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, and again on Tuesday. That'll be at headquarters, 529 E. Main St., in the City of Batavia.

Between now and then, food donations would be super appreciated. Can anybody spare a frozen turkey -- like today or tommorrow?

There were 150 of the birds donated and given out at Thanksgiving. For Christmas, they have about 200 on hand, far below what 750-plus families could enjoy.

"It would be ideal if we could (at least) give every family a turkey," said Kurtz, who is called "Captain Patty."

P.S. -- The Salvation Army's winterwear drive lasts all season long. So if you have gently used coats, sweaters, scarves, mittens, gloves, hats, etc. there are people in Genesee County who could sure use them.

To contact the Salvation Army in Batavia, call 343-6284. E-mail Capt. Patty at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org.

Photos: Salvation Army Toy Drive

By Howard B. Owens

Today at Ken Barrett's car dealership, the Salvation Army held its annual Christmas Toy Drive with the help of WBTA and the City Fire Department.

Photo: Red Kettle Campaign kick off

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Salvation Army kicked off its annual Red Kettle Campaign today at Seymour Place, East Main Street. WBTA's Geoff Redick made the honorary first donation.

Salvation Army to host dinner and auction to benefit holiday programs

By Billie Owens

The Women's Auxiliary of the Batavia Salvation Army will host a Swiss Steak Dinner & Basket Auction on Saturday, Nov. 13.

It will be held at 529 E. Main St. in Batavia to benefit the Thanksgiving and Christmas programs. Take-outs start at 4:30 p.m.; dinner is at 5.

Tickets are $8 and will only be available until Oct. 29. Contact 343-6284 or 345-1663 for more information.

A Puppet Good Time on South Spruce Street

By Robin Walters

The youth puppet team from Genessee Country church joined up with Care-A-Van Thursday evening for their weekly cookout. The youth presented an awesome puppet show for all the kids and their parents. 35 people from the neighborhood came to the cookout.  Captain Bob Krutz and wife Pat from the Salvation Army were on hand. Captain Bob will be giving the message for street church at South Spruce this Sunday. The service starts at 2:30 PM.

Thank you to the youth from Geneesee Country church and all the people that come out  to volunteer to bring joy, peace and happiness to others!

The youth with their advisor Rachel

Now he looks like he is enjoying his hotdog!

Kim Gloskowski volunteer  from Emmanuel Baptist Church helps little Lilly celebrate her birthday with an ice cream cone!

SPRING TREASURE SALE

By june rowcliffe
The Woman’s Auxilary of the Salvation Army will be holding a Spring Treasure Sale at 529 East Main St., Batavia on April 24.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Bake sale and refreshments will be available. LARGE assortment of craft supplies, household items, kitchen utensils, toys and clothes and much more.  Priced to go!  Donations will be accepted after April 1 until April 20.  For more information call the Army office 343-6284.

 

 

Event Date and Time
-

Authentically Local