DAR Speaker Shines Light on MENA Salvation Army

The February 20, program of the James K. Polk Chapter NSDAR  was about “The Art Of Giving.”  The presentation was by the Mena Salvation Army Family Store Manager, Nancy Lewis.

The Family Store is an off-shoot of the original Salvation Army founded by Methodist Minister William Booth and  his wife Catherine in 1865 in London, England. Under the Booths’ leadership, the Army grew to a worldwide organization known for its integrity, generosity, and effectiveness in meeting  the needs of the people who so desperately need help – in time the motto became,  “We go to the worst.”   When you donate goods or money, shop at the store, or when you drop a few coins or bills in the Kettle at Christmas, you’re part of that mission that they started. The Mena Family Store  is based on the original  mission and vision:

“Our Message is Based on the Bible; Our Ministry is Motivated by the Love of God; Our Mission is to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Meet Human Needs in His Name.”

The Mena Family Store is entirely self-sufficient, meaning the sale of donated goods along with monetary gifts, including the annual Kettle Campaign (Bell Ringing), goes to pay all operating expenses including the salaries of two paid employees and funds all assistance.

That assistance includes such things as lodging in the case of a burn out or natural disaster, food, gasoline for  medical appointments,  utility assistance once a year, and household items.

Nancy Lewis retired to the Mena Area from Texas in 2016. Her last position in San Antonio was Program Manager for the largest military contract company located at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She became the Store Manager of our local Salvation Army Family Store in June of 2018.  She and her husband “Love Mena, and  after only three and a half years, Mena has truly become our home. “

The next meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution is Thursday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the Polk County Library Community Room. Ladies interested in the DAR are invited to attend. – For membership information, contact Dotty Kinnun, Registrar-

(thekinnuns@gmail.com).

Nancy Lewis, Manager of the Salvation Army Family Store with Ann Garrett, Second Vice- Regent of James L. Polk Chapter in Mena. Submitted photo.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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