The Washington Corps of the Salvation Army is actively seeking both advisory board candidates and project volunteers. Advisory board members are concerned men and women who voluntarily use their professional skills and knowledge of the community to improve the lives of those in need and strengthen the Salvation Army’s ability to serve. They provide guidance in areas such as budgeting and program development, public relations and fundraising, disaster relief response and facilities improvement and maintenance. They also provide insight into local culture, trends and needs to assist the Army in developing new ministries or modifying existing programs. Interested candidates should contact nominating committee chair Heidi Smith at 252-945-7891 to learn more about advisory board service and to request a candidate application.

For those who would like to participate in Salvation Army activities on a more limited basis, there are numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The greatest need for volunteers occurs during the Christmas season and again during disaster response. The Corps is in need of bell ringers during the Red Kettle Campaign between Nov. 9 and Dec. 24. Volunteers are asked to ring for a minimum of four hours. Businesses may take a full day of bell ringing with employees working in shifts to man the kettle. There is also need for a Spanish translator Oct. 18 and 19 at the Corps’ Washington office to assist staff during the Angel Tree application process. The Corps will need volunteers to help set up the Angel Tree warehouse and then process and pack Christmas donations in mid-December.

Year-round, the Corps welcomes volunteers willing to assist with the operation of its Family Stores, located in Washington and Chocowinity. If you prefer an even more limited, yet important, volunteer opportunity, we invite you to join our disaster relief team, which largely involves preparing and delivering meals or household cleaning kits following a flood, hurricane or other crisis situation. Disaster response training is conducted locally and once volunteers have been certified, they have the option of becoming a member of the Salvation Army’s national disaster relief team.

Anyone interested in non-advisory board volunteer service should phone Amanda Reagan at the Salvation Army Corps’ office at 252-946-2523.

The Salvation Army’s Washington Corps has been meeting the spiritual and physical needs of residents in Beaufort, Hyde, Washington, Martin, Bertie and Tyrrell counties since 1937. The International Salvation Army operates 15,409 Corps around the world.