Scoring Big for Johnson City: The 29^th Souper Bowl Luncheon

Johnson City, Tennessee: Every year, to coincide with “The Big Game,” The Salvation Army of Johnson City hosts their Souper Bowl luncheon fundraiser. This February was their 29^th event, featuring guest speaker former NFL player Derrick Mason. The luncheon almost always features keynotes from former NFL members, some previous speakers being Anthony Muñoz, Randy White, Brian Holloway, Gayle Sayers and many more. 

“Derrick Mason was extremely approachable. He was probably the most approachable [guest speaker] we’ve ever had,” said Captain Maureen Diffley of the Johnson City Corps. “We really enjoyed talking with him. He was very generous to his teammates. He talked about how different moments in the games are meant for certain people. So, you may not always get the most exciting play, it may not happen when you are on the field. That’s for other team members. He was extremely gracious.” 

Captain Diffley says this year’s fundraiser was a great success. “We had probably 250 people there and we raised more this year than we’ve raised any other year.” She went on to discuss how the community gathers for the event, treating it as an opportunity to network and create meaningful connections. “People look forward to it every year, there’s a lot of returning guests. People come with their work teams; businesses will get tables together. It’s a good place to meet a lot of the significant business owners and government officials in Johnson City.”

As a result of this year’s fundraiser, Captain Diffley says the corps has fostered good relationships with local businesses and government. “We actually are working more closely with our mayor, county commissioners and city officials with our inclement weather program since this most recent luncheon. They’re showing a lot more engagement and have come to visit a few times.”

The meal was catered by one of “the best local BBQ places,” The Firehouse Restaurant, donated entirely by owners Tom and Donna Seaton. The Seatons have a long history with  this fundraiser. While they haven’t catered every year, they’ve been around since the first luncheon almost 30 years ago, and Tom even provided transportation for the fundraiser’s very first guest speaker. 

The proceeds from this year’s Souper Bowl luncheon went toward the Center of Hope, a shelter that offers an intensive transitional program for veterans, an emergency program for single adults (both 24/7 offerings) and overnight housing for inclement weather.

Photos by Earl Neikirk and Neikirk Image Photography courtesy of Johnson City Corps

Salvation Army Launches “Thrift Score” on Roblox

Western Territory: The popular online game “Roblox” has become the newest frontier of Salvation Army outreach. As part of an Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) advertising initiative, players can now find digital versions of the iconic Salvation Army thrift store on certain servers, included as a new game called “Thrift Score.” When visiting the video game storefront, players will be able to purchase discounted items “donated” by brands and influencers to customize their avatar with in-game currency. Some items, such as the “True Hero Shield,” also feature classic Salvation Army logos and imagery. Proceeds go to funding Salvation Army ministries, just like the real-world thrift stores. 

“This idea is a part of a larger effort to reach younger audiences for brand recognition and support,” said Lt. Colonel Mark Nelson of the Western Territory. “We are also investing heavily in younger fashion influencers on Instagram and Tik Tok. In the West we are working with several fashion colleges and collectives on upcycling projects using unsaleable product to rally together with younger designers and influencers around sustainability and creating a more environmentally friendly textile waste stream.” Notable projects that are part of this effort include collaborations with SeaWorld, Black Design Collective, and social media influencers such as Luisa Hurtado. Lt. Colonel Nelson notes that sustainability messaging has an effortless connection to the ARC, who’s been using sustainability efforts to fund their mission since at least 1893, when Captain Joseph McFee had clients at the Lifeboat in San Francisco collecting scrap paper and firewood for resale. The Lifeboat went on to become the ARC in the West.

The primary goal of “Thrift Score” on Roblox is engagement and awareness. “We were not looking to create an income stream,” said Lt. Colonel Nelson. “Connection and brand introduction was the point of the campaign.” The game will hopefully familiarize more and more young people with The Salvation Army as a place where they can not only get cheap clothing, but they can also fund efforts that matter, such as sustainability, rehabilitation, and Christian ministries. Nelson went on to say that partnering with well-known Roblox creators connects “Thrift Score” into the whole effort to reach future customers, donors and supporters.

This new digital storefront is just one more way that The Salvation Army has capitalized on video games as a powerful mechanism for outreach. “Gaming is the primary platform for learning and outreach for the millennium generation and beyond,” said Lt. Colonel Nelson. “It’s an easy decision to make an investment there to reach new people.”

Army Archives: Doughnut Cutter

Central Territory: This World War I doughnut cutter is believed to have been crafted by a U.S. Army soldier from spent shell casings and gifted to Minnie Burdick. The inscription reads, “C H Evans to Mother Burdick.” Connected to a family who sacrificed multiple loved ones in military service, this artifact reflects both the cost of war and the comfort offered through simple acts of care, such as the doughnuts served to soldiers by Salvation Army workers on the front lines.

Photo via The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum

The Oldest Bandsman

Clearwater, Florida: On Christmas Eve 1925 in Sydney, Australia, a son was born to Salvation Army officers Albert and Margaret Robinson. Named Campbell but known as Robbie, he grew up in a home filled with visitors, music and ministry. Robbie tried an instrument at age three, joined the youth band at eight, and found a lifelong calling in Salvation Army music.

In 1940, the family moved to New Zealand when Robbie’s father became financial secretary. At Wellington South Corps, Robbie played second cornet at 14. With World War II reducing the band’s ranks, leadership came early: By 18, he was deputy bandmaster and part of the solo cornet section.

As an adult, Robbie’s work led him to London, where he fulfilled a dream by playing in The Salvation Army International Staff Band. Later, he moved to Washington, D.C.  where he met Joan Goodier whom he married in  1960. Robbie served as songster leader at Prince George’s Corps and, from 1961 to 1985, as bandmaster of The National Capital Band. After retiring from their jobs, they moved to Florida in 1996. For the past 30 years, both have played cornet in the Clearwater Citadel corps band and sung in the songsters — still taking their places each Sunday.

Robbie loves music, but even more he loves his Savior. Salvation Army music carries the message that God sent His Son to save us, and that message shaped a boy in Sydney into a lifetime bandsman. Robbie turned 100 this past Christmas Eve and may be among the oldest active bandsmen in The Salvation Army. One thing is clear: God has used a life dedicated to Him to bless others for more than a century.

By Major Julie Herron | Photo via USA Southern Territory