Do you believe in miracles? Well, if not, then you should have been around the Salvation Army building this past week to see the army of women going and coming as they made preparations for the big Salvation Army Spaghetti Day fundraiser cooking meat, bagging spices, roaster after roaster cooking sauce for two days, cutting squares of material to cover sauce containers, slicing bread and desserts, wrapping plastic ware and selling tickets.
Pam Robinson was fantastic in recruiting Salvation Army Auxiliary members to be either Holy Tearers, Holy Rollers, Holy Slicers or just Holy Helpers!
Then came the big day! It took an army of willing and helpful men to help make the success of feeding around 1,600 citizens who had followed the scrumptious aroma drifting down the sidewalk.
Last in line, were the St. Gregory’s basketball team and Boy Scouts, hungry and ready to help clean.
Yes, there are plenty of angels working miracles here in Shawnee! It took a miracle for Nancy Bodard to make this event successful, she said for about 30 plus years. Then, Marta Land, a little bit hesitant in stepping up to try to fill Nancy’s shoes, worked many miracles as she organized and contacted generous donors, who made it possible for another miracle in obtaining all the products needed for the dinner.
If you enjoyed all of the beautiful table decorations, that was a miracle by Sue Nelson, which even included buckets of fresh apples.
Majors Mike and Lori Barnhouse, Dianne, Stephanie, Kendi and other Salvation Army staff, were all on hand to greet each person, being helpful and carrying heart warming smiles from early hours through out the cold, damp evening hours.
Let’s also not forget the miracle of the news media that provided good coverage in order to bring out an army of generous citizens which made it all possible.
So, yes, I believe in miracles. It was truly a blessing to be a part of an army of volunteers and community coming together for this worthy cause.
Correna Wilson Pickens
Shawnee
