Scroll down to tune in to the Inspiring Hope Event!
12 pm this Thursday, Sept. 24! Screening room opens at 11:45 am!
PRESENTED BY
The Dian Graves Owen Foundation
We invite you to join us for our first ever virtual event, the Inspiring Hope Luncheon. As the date approaches, we’ll have many opportunities for you to take part – including sponsorship packages, an online auction, a red tag giving page and more. Then we hope you will tune in for the virtual luncheon at 11:30 am Thursday, Sept. 24, so we can show you more about what The Salvation Army of Abilene is doing to help those in need in our community. You’ll also hear a brief but inspiring message from Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez, our keynote speaker. During this time of heightened need due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we want to continue to be a strong presence and offer badly needed assistance. This virtual event will help ensure we will have the funds to continue providing for those who need it most in the Abilene area.
2020 INSPIRING HOPE SPONSORS
Live Auction Sponsor
Purchases up to $15,000 will be matched thanks to our anonymous auction sponsor!
Diamond Sponsors
The Greathouse Foundation
Gold Sponsor
The Shelton Family Foundation
Bronze Sponsor
United Grocery Store
Individual Sponsors
Stone Paper
Batts Communication
Chris Meeks Farmers Insurance
Edward Simpson
Mark Delaplane
Potter’s Pizza
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
Congratulations to our 2019 Award Recipients
Chris Meeks, 2019 Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award goes to a young man who takes volunteerism very seriously. From painting the shelter kitchen and dining room to organizing our bell ringers, he gives of his time and efforts to help those in his community. He is a member of our Advisory Board and can always be counted on to do what is needed for The Salvation Army. A big thank you and congratulations goes to Chris Meeks!
Star Dodge, 2019 Christmas Partner of the Year
Our Christmas Corporate Partner of the Year Award goes to a business that helped us re-define Christmas for 2019. We rode in style in a Dodge Challenger, wrapped in our branding, to remind those in the community of our Red Kettle Challenge. This was generously loaned to us from this community partner. Not only did they help with promoting our Red Kettle season, they gave of their time on the kettle stand, by manning kettles throughout the season and then matching the funding brought in. We are so pleased to announce that our Christmas Corporate Partner of the Year 2019 Award goes to Star Dodge.
Jennifer Hall, 2019 Christmas Volunteer Award
The Christmas Volunteer of the Season 2019, goes to a young lady who always helped at The Salvation Army during the Christmas season, and always gave her best to whatever she was working on. She helped with the Angel Tree Program for the last five years, and sat at the tree in Mall of Abilene for days on end, processing Angel Tree tags and bringing in gifts. She took applications for the program, and helped distribute as well. We want to thank and congratulate Jennifer Hall for her service above and beyond what was asked for.
Food Bank of West Central Texas, 2019 Outstanding Agency Partner
The Salvation Army of Abilene is very thankful for their non-profit partners. One in particular is an amazing help all throughout the year. From making sure we have food for our shelter kitchen, to providing training for our staff, this agency always comes through when we need them. They are always willing to give a helping hand when we have needed it. We are so grateful and want to thank the Food Bank of West Central Texas for their service to the neighbors in the community, whom we serve.
Dillard’s of Abilene • Store #744, 2019 Outstanding Business Partner
The winner of the Outstanding Business Partner of 2019, is a business who tirelessly works to help those in the community. The Salvation Army of Abilene is a thankful beneficiary of their help. Every year this company provides new clothing and gifts to several families in need through our Angel Tree program. The funds for this, comes from the employees themselves. They employ men from our CSRC program (Corps Salvage and Rehabilitation Center)(drug and alcohol treatment program), in their store, giving them a second chance at life. They have given beautiful items for our Inspiring Hope Virtual Annual Event, and the money from that goes to our CSRC program. They have included us in their annual Christmas Red Carpet Event, and are huge supporters of having our iconic red kettles at every door of their store. We want to congratulate and say thank you to Dillard’s of Abilene, Store #744.
About Our Speaker
Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez (Retired)
Brigadier General Joe Ramirez, a native of Houston, is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Texas Aggie Band in the Corps of Cadets. He received his commission in the United States Army Field Artillery from Texas A&M in 1979 as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
During his 31 years of military service, General Ramirez commanded soldiers around the world and served in leadership positions in various joint and operational commands. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for United States Central Command during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and was the Deputy Division Commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea. His most recent assignment was Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
General Ramirez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Texas A&M (1979); a Master’s Degree in Management from Webster University, St. Louis (1993); and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (2000).
His numerous military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
LOCATIONS
Our Mission
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian
Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission
is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
