The Salvation Army, RCMA and Choose Chicago Team Up to Help Homeless
The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division Volunteer Resource Office had the pleasure of working with the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) in early February. RCMA is a professional, multi-faith organization whose members assist with planning and/or managing meetings, tutorials, conferences, conventions and assemblies for religious organizations.
In 2016, our divisional headquarters volunteer resource office was contacted by Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organization for the city of Chicago. Choose Chicago wanted RCMA to visit a Salvation Army community center and work on a service project that would benefit the communities we serve. A fleece-tie blanket making project was selected by Choose Chicago and RCMA representatives and Choose Chicago donated the material to make the blankets, which would be distributed by Harbor Light's mobile outreach units. Conference attendees came to The Salvation Army Freedom Center after breakfast on February 7th and made over 50 blankets. It was a great time and the group learned about The Salvation Army and the work done by Harbor Light staff.
"I am very grateful to RCMA for their generosity and their compassion to help those who live outside in the freezing temperatures," said Major Nancy Powers. "The homeless often feel alone and unloved and like they don't really exist in the real world."
During the RCMA conference at McCormick place on February 11, our divisional headquarters collected over 1,000 blessing bags -- small plastic bags filled with personal care items. Assembly lines were created and after breakfast, RCMA members filled over 1,000 blessing bags.
Major Stephen Harper welcomed RCMA attendees to the breakfast while ringing a kettle and accepting donations for The Salvation Army. Jonathan Corry, Director of Music and Gospel Arts, along with members of The Salvation Army Music Department's band, provided a warm welcome to the attendees.
We would like to thank RCMA and its members for their generous support during their time in Chicago. Their work will help us Do The Most Good!