Generation next: A new era of energy

At only 15 years old, Emily Brooks raised $813 for The Salvation Army by holding a garage sale. Even more impressive, she did so with a specific purpose in mind: teach Salvation Army kids how to dance.

Her idea came to fruition during fall 2012, when about 20 kids served by the Eastside Salvation Army in St. Paul got to enjoy three months of hip-hop dance lessons. A private instructor taught them twice a week.

“I thought the kids would enjoy it,” said Emily, an avid ballet dancer. “I am very involved in dance lessons at a studio, and I believe that every child should have the opportunity to take dance lessons if they want to.”

The lessons culminated in a recital that Emily attended with her mother, Cathy. After the recital, a set of parents ran up to Emily to thank her.

“They told Emily that their son loved the dance lessons and they stated very firmly that ‘Music is so important,’” said Jessyca Duerr, Salvation Army donor relations director, who witnessed the powerful moment.

Emily’s giving heart was on display again when door prizes were given out at the event. After winning a $25 grocery store gift card, she gave it back and insisted that it go to one of the families.

The Moore brothers arrived at The Salvation Army’s shelter in St. Cloud, Minn., with their parents in July 2011. They were homeless, hoping that life could be better in Minnesota than it was in Chicago.

They hoped right. Not only has the family stabilized, but Stephen, 20, and Cerrano, 12, have become volunteer dynamos. Together, they go to the St. Cloud Salvation Army three times a week to serve meals, clean, and lead a nine-member youth group. On Tuesdays, they babysit children living at the shelter.

“Those kids’ parents need a break sometimes – we’re happy to give them one,” Cerrano said.

The pair started getting involved soon after the volunteer bug bit Stephen.

“When we were living at the shelter, I started volunteering and thought, ‘OK, I could get used to this,’” he said. “Then I started bringing my little brother with me, started showing him the positive things.”

Both Stephen and Cerrano have become Salvation Army Soldiers, or official members of The Salvation Army church.

“Seeing my brother become a soldier made me want to become a soldier,” Cerrano said.

Stephen is so jazzed about The Salvation Army that he wants to become a full-blown Salvation Army officer (pastor).

“My plan is to go to college for two years and then train to be a Salvation Army officer, with the goal of someday running my own (operation center),” he said.

Helping The Salvation Army is in Mary Larsen’s blood. It began with her grandfather, Pete McVay, a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army. He paid for the construction of the Molly McVay Recreation Center, a North Minneapolis Salvation Army youth center named after his daughter, Mary’s aunt.

Built by one generation in honor of another, the center’s programs now benefit from the energy of Mary, who represents the next generation of McVays. During the school year, you’ll find Mary at the center three times a week, helping children enrolled in Salvation Army after-school programs. During summer, she’s there even more – five days a week for summer programs.

“I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t enjoy it,” she said. “This is pretty special.”

Mary tutors the children, plays games with them, leads sporting activities and just plain has fun. Though many of the kids come from difficult homes, she insists they’re more inspiring than she could ever be.

“The way these kids appreciate things is incredible,” she said. “They set an example for me in so many ways.”

In fact, they are part of the inspiration for Mary’s next chapter. After graduating from Blake High School in Minneapolis, she’s headed to college to study social work.