Cycling with Sally

We did two days of volunteer work in Long Beach, CA.  The first day was at the ARC and the following day at the Corps.

We were just so impressed with the ARC (Adult Rehabilitation Center) operations.  This is where the Warehouse is run that organises donations for the Thrift Stores and Third World Countries.  Part of the client's rehabilitation is to work a 'typical day' in the Warehouse.  The revenue made from these donations goes back into Salvation Army programs helping clients to lead independent and fulfilling lives.  We were greeted by Aldo Accinelli, the Business Administrator,  who is really trying to maximise donated resources, reduce waste, utilise people's skills and increase revenue.  For example, we learned about vehicle donation and sales, how they bail up clothing to send to Third World Countries, antique auctions, hardwood furniture and hospital equipment going to Boliva and books that are now catergorised and sold online.  We were privy to more unusual donations, such as, a set of false teeth, a live lizard, a grenade, a gun, a plane, and human ashes.  


While at the ARC we were kindly looked after by Captain Frank and his wife Captain Beth.  We had a grand tour of the facility and really enjoyed meeting with clients.  We served lunch to about 80 people and then gave a brief talk about our trip while people were eating.  It was neat to have a captive audience and we hope what we had to say was an encouragement to these guys.  In the afternoon, we worked in the Electronic Department with James where we sorted through and begun to categorise printer ink cartridges into some order. 


At the Corps we had the job of making up gift bags for elders - a pair of socks, some encouraging words and a War Cry magazine.  We were totally in our element as we had done this in other areas so we managed to make up at least 600 of them in a few hours.  There's still more to do if anyone is reading this in the Long Beach area!


We would really like to thank Erica (in the DHQ) for getting us in contact with Gail Crandall who made us feel very welcome and coordinated all the work we did while in Long Beach.  We really enjoyed our lunch with you and our first taste of Tomales - a special Mexican treat wrapped in corn husks.  Thank you very much to all we met here - it was a really great two days of volunteering.