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The Salvation Army Honors President H.W. and Mrs. at their Annual Luncheon Keynote Speaker Tommy Bowden spoke about the importance of family and The Salvation Army

Houston, TX (November 15, 2016) – Their largest fundraising event of the year, The Salvation Army hosted its Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 at the River Oaks Country Club. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters, including the 420 people in attendance, the Army raised $463,000, which will benefit the programs and services offered throughout the year in the Greater Area.

In recognition of their years of service to our city, state, and country, including both local and national support to The Salvation Army, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston was pleased to have President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush as this year’s honorees. Their son and Salvation Army Advisory Board Member Neil Bush accepted the recognition on their behalf. In light of the recent contentious election and The Salvation Army’s 151 years of Doing the Most Good, Bush commented, “Service is the best way to bring a divided nation together.”

Keynote Speaker Tommy Bowden spoke about the importance of family, quoting Confucius, “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of a home.” Bowden mentioned how as a football coach he was the father of the team and how for many of these young men, he was the first father figure they had in their life. Bowden applauded The Salvation Army’s work in keeping families intact and giving them a hand up (versus a hand out).

Vicki West and Kenneth Holbrook, Salvation Army Advisory Board Members, served as Annual Luncheon Co- Chairs. David Brady, Public Address Announcer for the Houston Texans, served as the Master of Ceremonies. This event was organized by The Salvation Army of Greater Houston Advisory Board.

The Annual Luncheon gives way to The Salvation Army of Greater Houston’s busy holiday season. Next week, several Salvation Army locations will be hosting special Thanksgiving events, including serving Thanksgiving meals for those in need at Family Residence and the Harbor Light Center. The Red Kettle Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign of the year, will kick off citywide on Friday, November 25. Last year, over $1 million was raised in the Greater Houston Area.

To learn more about The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, please visit SalvationArmyHouston.org, call our main number 713-752-0677, or follow us on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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In this community since 1889, a United Way of Greater Houston agency, The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command serves Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties through youth programs, shelter, disaster relief, social services, senior programs and rehabilitation. The mission of The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command is to meet human needs without discrimination. Each year nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army. About 86.3 cents of every dollar raised locally is used to support those services in Houston and 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information about The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, please visit SalvationArmyHouston.org.