Hundreds of people attended the 5th annual Hope in the City Windsor.
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Each year, The Salvation Army Windsor and Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) partner to host this event with the goals of raising awareness about the importance of TSA programs, and to kick off each year's Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. This year, the campaign goal is set to raise $315,000, to be used to support those in need.
President Gord launched the event, touching on the relationship between our Club and The Salvation Army Windsor that has spanned decades. Not only have several of our members served on TSA's Advisory Board, our Club also helps by serving food at the Army's Community Meal program each Wednesday. We also sponsor and volunteer at TSA's Annual SallyFest, an event that helps serve BBQ to those in need in our community. In addition, our Club members volunteer hundreds of hours each year to help ring the bells for their annual Kettle Campaign.
President Gord recited the land acknowledgment and led the toasts and Major Paul Rideout gave the invocation. Jim Crichton, Senior News Anchor, CTV News was the Master of Ceremonies and Fred Francis brought greetings from the City.
The keynote this year was Rosita Hall, a dynamic motivational speaker who got the crowd engaged, laughing and really thinking with her energetic delivery. She shared three life lessons she has learned: Trust in your faith, build some incredible relationships and the importance of education. Rosita encouraged everyone to "stir things up", know your "why" and don't just hold on to it - "take it to the streets, share it with other people!". Her take-away? Find a way to serve; we need to help eachother.
Matt Dunlop delivered the courtesies on behalf of the Advisory Board, and Major Everett Barrow presented Madelon Kidd with a certificate, thanking her for her 30+ years of dedication to The Salvation Army.