DATE: Friday, October 31, 1997              TAG: 9710310002

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   46 lines

PHILANTHROPY SEASON FOR GIVING THE SALVATION ARMY IS AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE UNITED WAY IN SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that the Salvation Army raised $1 billion in 1996, up from $741.7 million in 1995, for social and spiritual services in the United States. Donations to the Army exceeded those to any other charity - that has now happened five years in a row.

The mighty army, which is active in 103 countries, evolved from the Rev. William Booth's Methodist mission to the poor of London's East End in the 1860s. The army has ever been ever faithful to its purposes, which are aiding the poor and spreading the gospel. Its 25,399 officers are ordained ministers.

The Salvation Army provides food, shelter and clothing for the needy. It assists individuals and families to get to their feet. It comforts, guides, instructs. In Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, the army served 195,000 meals to the poor in 1996; it is likely to serve 200,000 this year. Its case workers aided 28,672 clients in 1995, 27,507 in 1996.

The army may well lead the recipients' pack again next year. Its claim on dollars for charity could not be stronger. The down and out will ever be with us. Many of the casualties the Salvation Army deals with are afflicted by mental illness or mental retardation. Many are sidelined by bad luck or their own mistakes.

Although the robust economy benefits tens of millions, many have yet to benefit. As BusinessWeek reported recently in considerable detail, many Americans continue to be left behind while many others have yet to gain much from the nation's long economic boom. And although the national jobless rate is low, the rate is higher in Hampton Roads. The demand upon charities to help meet basic human needs is substantial.

But the 1996 nationwide jump in contributions to the Salvation Army has not been mirrored in giving to the Chesapeake-Norfolk-Virginia Beach unit - donations were flat, totaling $1.6 million in 1995 and 1996.

Meanwhile, the annual United Way campaign is progressing. This year's goal is $15.5 million. With less than three weeks to go, about $6 million has yet to be raised. The Salvation Army is a United Way agency. Unless donors specify that their contributions be funneled to specific agencies, a portion of whatever they give goes to the army. That's not the sole reason for contributing generously to the United Way, but its one of the best.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu