About Echelon National:

Echelon is an extension of The Salvation Army that gathers emerging young professionals and mobilizes them through service, ministry, fellowship, networking, and fundraising. Echelon began in 2010, with the first chapter being founded in Dallas, TX. Since then, it has grown to include over 20 chapters across the United States. These local chapters all work to advance The Salvation Army's mission by actively engaging with community members and their needs. 

About Echelon Peoria:

Echelon Peoria is the fourth chapter in the United States and was founded in 2014. Our aim is to increase awareness and paint a clearer picture for all to understand just how diverse The Salvation Army's impacts are in local communities; as well as, all the ways The Salvation Army mission meets the needs of men, women, children, individuals and families who are seeking support. 

The Echelon Peoria Chapter hosts opportunities and experiences that create future local leaders that will carry the shield of The Salvation Army onward for the Tri County communities.

 Our Achievements: 

• Logged Over 1,500 Hours of Volunteer Service 
• Raised Over $130,000 through Echelon fundraising events
• Donated Over $40,000 to The Salvation Army Tri-County's Tree of Lights Campaign
• Connected with Thousands of Local Lives Through Service & Volunteering

 The Echelon Peoria Chapter Advisory Board 

 Service & Volunteering

• Dinner with Love is a weekly dinner program hosted at the Sylvia Fites Center. Our Echelon members volunteer to provide a warm meal for the residents and clients of The Salvation Army Men's Safety Net program and other Family Service clients. We strive to embody The Salvation Army's founding roots of Soup Soap & Salvation by truly connecting with those we serve. Dinner with Love is more than feeding their hunger, its about warming their soul.
  • Dinner with Love is held every other Monday
• Easter at the Citadel is an afternoon of connection, creativity and sharing in Christ. Echelon members volunteer their time at the Peoria Citadel and read the story of Easter to local youth before completing fun crafts and an egg hunt. 
• Summer’s Last Blast: A true 'back to school' celebration, this is Echelon's end of summer carnival hosted for local under privileged youth. Kids spend an afternoon with bounce houses, games, and more - all with crucial school supplies as prizes. This is a fun way to give local children and teens the tools they need to succeed academically, that they might not be able to receive otherwise. 

Fellowship & Networking

• One of the strongest aspects of the Echelon Peoria Chapter is our fellowship. By serving through volunteer opportunities, attending events and joining others throughout the year - you can build valuable relationships with other local young professionals.

Fundraising

• Red Hot Christmas is our trademark event that many look forward to every year. The funds raised benefit both Echelon and Salvation Army programs. In 2019 alone, our Red Hot Christmas event totaled over $30,000 in donations, all of which will be re-invested into the Peoria area communities.
• Red Kettle Bell Ringing is Echelon members opportunity to join the historic Red Kettle Campaign that countless people have come to know The Salvation Army for every Christmas. Our 'Kettle Takeovers' are a fun way to raise money for local supportive services, while meeting community members in person and sharing a holiday greeting.

Why Do We Serve?

The Echelon Peoria Chapter supports The Salvation Army's service in the Tri-County area through these efforts. The work of our members directly supports those in need who are receiving housing assistance, food support, case management and so many other amazing services that The Salvation Army's mission brings to the men, women and children who are in need, right here in our communities.

The tenets of The Salvation Army mission are the principles that guide our Echelon members in these service efforts. We work to also "preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination."

 A snapshot of our impacts from the past 12 months: 

• Helped to bring shelter to over 1,834 Homeless individuals, families & children
• Gave over $114,299 to SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) Programming
• Supported local neighbors in need with over $219,991 in rent and utility financial assistance
• Distributed 2,448 food baskets during the holidays to over 6,000 people
• Provided 15,505 Christmas Gifts to local children in need
• Hosted over 1,000 adults and children at Eagle Crest Camp

 Volunteers Are Always Needed 

Echelon Peoria is Doing The Most Good and you can join by offering your time as volunteer!

• Serve at the weekly Dinner With Love 
  • When: 5:45 p.m. every 2nd, 4th, & 5th Monday / and every Thursday (unless noted otherwise)
  • Where: Sylvia Fites Family Services Center (Located at 414 NE Jefferson St, Peoria IL 61603) 
  • Who: Click Here to Email Us & Sign Up for the next Dinner With Love

•  Other Volunteer Opportunities
  • ​​​​​​​Contact us directly with any volunteering questions that you may have.
  • Follow us on social media to learn about any immediate or new volunteering chances that Echelon Peoria is hosting.

Echelon Peoria is always looking for new members to join us and get involved in building relationships, supporting The Salvation Army's work and impacting the local community alongside other emerging professionals.

Membership Benefits: 

• Immediate access to service projects happening around The Salvation Army locations in Peoria
• Invitation and advanced notice of local networking and professional events / opportunities
• Discounted prices on tickets / registrations for Echelon annual fundraisers
• Invitations to Salvation Army events, as well as networking opportunities with business leaders, advisory board members and other Salvation Army supporters

 Membership Types: 

• Individual - $50 annually
• Couples - $75 annually

Click Here to Get Your Echelon Membership