'Neediest Families Program' brings hope to local families

Major Gary Long
·3 min read
Major Gary Lee Long, retired from Salvation Army in Staunton, Va., and head of its Neediest Families Program.
Major Gary Lee Long, retired from Salvation Army in Staunton, Va., and head of its Neediest Families Program.

The Salvation Army's "Neediest Families Program" is in its 17th year of bringing HOPE and encouragement to local families of Staunton and Augusta County.

These families are in great need of encouragement, compassion and assistance with care.

They are our neighbors and friends.  We could not reach out to them without financial support of churches, clubs, companies, organizations and individuals.

Thank you and God bless you!

The "Neediest Families Program" is a community and county program, with The News Leader raising the funds and The Salvation Army — Majors Gary and Shirley Long interviewing families in their homes and helping to meet their needs, reducing their stress and reassuring them that there is "Hope" and that life is worth living.  There are people who care.

"The Neediest Families Program" is in its 6th week of interviews and while situations/needs seem the same, (such as more and more grandparents are raising grandchildren)  they are also different to each family.

By the time Majors Long meet with the families they are in crisis and need our help now!  Majors Long are there, to hear/listen to them, encourage them and help them, giving them Hope!

The "Neediest Families Program" has reached into Staunton, Weyers Cave, Craigsville, Grottoes and Crimora. The Majors go wherever the family lives in Augusta County.

Here are a few of the families interviewed and given help and hope thus far this year.

1.) A grandmother raising her (3) grandchildren needed an AC/Heater to help cool/heat her home.  Her 12 year old unit no longer works. She could not save enough money to buy one. The "Neediest Families Program" secured a new unit for the family and "grandpa" installed the unit. The house is warm and all are thankful.

2.) A young couple (dad working) and two children with mom expecting her 3rd are grateful for their rent and utility bill paid and dad's car payment lowered and made affordable. They now can live within their means and mom going back to work after their 3rd child is born will make a difference.

3.) Another grandmother raising (3) grandchildren needing a utility bill paid up-to-date and fuel-oil to heat the house is very appreciative  to the  "Neediest Families Program" and the help and hope they have received from The Salvation Army.

The "Neediest Families Program" is currently committed to helping families at $11,220.00 total:  there are more families to be interviewed and helped.

Our goal is $28,000.00 and we need to reach that goal by the end of the year 12/31/2022.

YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!

In the 17 years of the "Neediest Families Program"  you have never failed us!

Please help us bring hope-encouragement and care for our neighbors need us now!

To contribute, please send/bring a check to The Salvation Army office, 1700 West Beverly Street, Staunton, Or mail it to us. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2412, Staunton, Virginia 24402.  Write NEEDIEST FAMILIES PROGRAM on your envelope and check so the donation may be properly applied.

As part of their support of the program, The News Leader will recognize those individuals, companies and organizations who give to the program by placing their names in an advertisement that is running throughout the campaign.

Contributors who do not wish to be recognized can remain anonymous.

On behalf of the Neediest Families Program families, we thank you. We're counting on your continued support.

Major Gary Long, with his wife, Major Shirley Long, is the coordinator of the Neediest Families Program for The Salvation Army in Staunton.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Column: Here are some of your neighbors helped by 'Neediest Families' program