Legacy Gift Creates Pathway of Hope Endowment
The Salvation Army of Anderson is excited to announce the creation of a new Pathway of Hope endowment thanks to the generosity of a local couple. The $150,000 legacy gift will be split, with $50,000 set aside to address current operating needs in Madison County and the remaining $100,000 used to establish the Pathway of Hope endowment.
"This gift is truly a blessing," said Major Mike Wolfe of The Salvation Army's corps community center in Anderson. "Tom and Dottie were long-time supporters of The Salvation Army, but we had no idea that they'd included us in their estate plans. Because of them, we will now have Pathway of Hope funds in perpetuity. When our program families need help with rent money to prevent eviction, we'll be here. If their car breaks down or they need help finding work, we'll have the funds to get them past these barriers and continue on a path to security."
Pathway of Hope is a Salvation Army initiative that has been implemented across the United States, including in cities and towns throughout Indiana. The program helps families with children under eighteen break the cycle of poverty through a holistic approach. By addressing specific challenges and barriers for each family, The Salvation Army can help parents craft a plan, get them connected with local resources, and walk beside them through the journey to self-sufficiency.
Last fall, ten Pathway of Hope families in Madison County completed the program after months of hard work and one-on-one counseling. With the support and guidance of The Salvation Army, parents learned how to budget and save, worked toward job and food security, addressed housing and educational needs, and went through the steps to become U.S. citizens. The goals for each family differed, but the outcome for each was focused on ending intergenerational poverty. The new Pathway of Hope endowment will ensure that The Salvation Army can continue to introduce more local families to the program for years to come.
"We're hoping to grow the endowment so that Pathway of Hope can expand in our community," said Major Wolfe. "The need is great in Anderson and across the county, so we hope the generosity of this long-time donor inspires others to think of The Salvation Army when they're making estate plans. It's an incredible way to have a life-long impact on families in need." Pathway of Hope gifts made in 2021 are also eligible to be matched 2-to-1 by The Salvation Army's Central Territory, which oversees Salvation Army locations across the Midwest.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army has seen a 30% increase in requests for financial assistance in Madison County. Local families struggling to pay rent and put food on the table have turned to The Salvation Army to help them get through these challenging days. The 2020 Christmas Campaign, which raises funds for year-round assistance, struggled to reach its goal with fewer retail locations available for collecting donations through the iconic Red Kettles. Thanks to Tom and Dottie's legacy gift, the fundraising gap from 2020 has been closed and The Salvation Army will be able to use the $50,000 portion to continue meeting the needs of their community.
For more information about how to honor a loved one's legacy or how to include The Salvation Army in your estate plans, contact Christi Thieme, The Salvation Army Director of Gift and Estate Planning at 317-224-1039. Additional resources can be found online at MyPlan2Give.org.