Salvation Army volunteers honored for work in 2025

The Salvation Army Dublin Service Center thanked its volunteers for continuing to find ways of helping others in the community during 2025.

In 2025, the local Salvation Army served 3,696 people. It provided grocery orders for 374, along with housing assistance for 24 people. Clothing items were distributed to 830 people, with 43 receiving energy assistance and 2,000 school supply donations. 

Thanksgiving food bags were given to 288 people, while 1,140 Christmas toys were given to children in the community. The local Salvation Army provided disaster assistance to 150 people and financial assistance in the amount of $39,018.

“Our volunteers are the glue that holds it together,” said Charika Todd, director of The Salvation Army Service Center, during an award celebration in the Fellowship Center of Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church recently. “Your passion and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. Let’s take this energy into the next year.” 

She thanked the following businesses for allowing them to ring bells: Belk, Cloverleaf, Friendly Gus, Golden Corral, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Tractor Supply, Walgreen and Walmart. 

The following bell ringers were honored: Bleckley County 4-H, Bush family, Dublin Civitan Club, Dublin Pilot Club, Dublin Board of Realtors, Dublin Rotary Club, Dublin Service League, ELHS FCCLA, Lewis family, Laurens County 4H, Allen family, Barfoot family, Jordan Moorman, Hand family, Sam White, Mullis family, Parker Aerospace, Promise of Hope, Ward family, WLHS Anchor Club, WLHS FBLA and WLHS FCCLA.

The top volunteer bell ringers were Sam White (first), Hand family (second) and Promise of Hope (third).

The top three Laurens County Transitional Showcase Program ringers were Senyavian Holsey (first), Trent Snell (second) and Angelica Perez (third). 

The following businesses helped with Angel Tree Christmas program: Smith’s Jewelry, Gayco, Dairy Queen, Dublin Mall, Ollies, Orr Insurance, Best Buy, Browning Co. and OFTC Sandersville.

Food drives were held by NWLE Beta Club and Cricket Wireless. Todd thanked Paul Williams, Heather Smith, John Gregory and Terrell Nichols. Williams also picked up the James Hudson of Volunteer of the Year.

Todd also thanked The Courier Herald, Market Place and Laurens Now. 

The final salute went to Johnny Chappell, as he received a Lifetime Advisory Board Member honor. His daughter, Ansley Ellington, accepted it for her father.

“He has loved and cherished his time with The Salvation Army,” Ellington said. “We are really grateful for The Salvation Army and what you have done for him and my family.” 

O.J. Hall, a member of the advisory board member, thanked the volunteers for all they did the past year.

“It is when we experience (a tragedy) when we quickly understand what it is like,” Hall said. “A moment like a house fire when you have lost everything. All that you know is gone, including things we take for granted. There are so many things that even insurance can’t help replace. But those are the moments when The Salvation Army can come through, in a moment like that.” 

The Salvation Army also helps provide for Christmas.

“In reality, the moments of stress in that season is filled with grief,” Hall said. “I think this is one of the best opportunities for us to smile and show that Jesus is the reason for the season. Throughout the year, The Salvation Army gives somebody access to help. When something shocking happens, The Salvation Army can step in and help. We want people to see Jesus in us, and that may be the light they need.”

Jim Marrow, service extension director for The Salvation Army, told the audience, “I see a room full of award winners.”

Guest speaker Capt. Bryan Farrington asked the crowd why people volunteer for organizations like The Salvation Army.

“I’ve heard it’s to help support and shape the community,” he said. “It does help people get back up. It gives them joy to help someone else. Some do it to be a source of encouragement and to help others thrive.” 

If nothing else, it’s a ministry, he added.

“On behalf of The Salvation Army, the Georgia Leadership team, Dublin Salvation Army and God, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a job well done,” Farrington said. “We salute you for your efforts.”

He told a story of a little girl picking up starfish on the beach on throwing them in the ocean. There were many starfish on the sand, but that did not stop the girl from throwing them. The girl was asked why she was doing that.

“After thinking for a minute, (the girl) picked up another one and slung it way out in the ocean,” Farrington said. “The girl told them, ‘For that one, it made all the difference in the world.’ The next thing the girl knew, others were throwing starfish back in the water.

“We have thrown a lot of starfish in the ocean by helping many,” he added. “That is what it means to make a difference. God cares for each of us as individuals. God shows who he is and how he operates. For God so loved the world, he gave his only son. He invites us to go into the community and share this with them.”