To the Editor:

William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, created and lived by the motto: "Heart to God and Hand to Man." To the best of my ability I want to live by that motto not just in principle but also in practice.

After being in the city for just a few days, I became acutely aware of some of the social needs facing us each day. Therefore I want The Salvation Army to be a working force in our city to help where we can in partnership with those who are and have been working so hard to try and alleviate some of our social pain.

I would love to hear in writing, from our local residents, business owners, professionals etc., where they would like to see me channel my energy. I want to hear from the Citizen readers, where they would like to see The Salvation Army roll us its sleeves and be truly Christ ambassadors. What in your opinion are the unmet needs of our city?

It's true I am appointed first and foremost to The Salvation Army Church to be their pastor, spiritual leader, supporter and friend, but I'm also appointed to this community to be a voice, advocate, and facilitator to those who need to experience the love in God in practice.

Heart to God, hand to man, is who we are supposed to be.

I applaud all current volunteers, professionals and gifted workers who have from what I hear worked tirelessly to do their best to be Jesus in the flesh, who went about doing good. Thank you and may God richly reward you for your hard work.

But If anyone else has some expertise, creative ideas, time, talents and treasures that are dormant, might I suggest that maybe, now is the time to get activated? Maybe this is your time to come forth and together leave an even greater mark for good on someone's life today.

Readers, thank you for you past support. Thanks in advance for your willingness to partner once again with me, the new Salvation Army pastor.

A couple of the many ideas that I'm working on to see if they are feasible and workable are:

Pack the Backpack … obtains supplies, and prepare backpacks for families who may struggle to provide school kids with their requirements;

Hold a sock drive, so that our homeless would have a change of socks once in a while;

Is there a need for a soup kitchen or an ongoing breakfast program?

Coats for Kids? Are our kids going to have a coat for the winter weather?

Thanks for taking time to read this and I look forward to your response.

In His Service,

Maj. Betty-Lou R. Topping
Corps Officer (Pastor)
Community & Family Services
Thompson Community Church
The Salvation Army