The Salvation Army of Benton Harbor is planning a celebration for its 100th anniversary next month.
Lieutenant Melissa Bledsoe is the executive director of the organization and tells us it first came to Benton Harbor in 1925 after opening a location in Grand Rapids and then working its way south through the state.
“Our first location is actually where the Citadel dance studio, music center is,” Bledsoe said. “That was our very first location, and we from there began to provide not only church services, but social services, food baskets and so on.”
Bledsoe says about 30 years after that, the Salvation Army opened its Men’s Shelter, where single men are welcome to stay for the night, wash their clothes, and have breakfast.
“We average about 45 to 25 guys per night, and at one point we were holding up to 38 men per night. So, every single night, seven days a week, our shelter is available.”
Bledsoe says it takes a lot of help to keep the Salvation Army going, and since coming to the area from Chicago, she’s been amazed by the level of community support. It comes from the United Way, the state, individual donors, and sponsors. Just recently, a family donated $100,000 for the Salvation Army to purchase new furniture and make other improvements.
The organization will hold a gala with a roaring 1920s theme on August 29 to mark the 100th. Bledsoe says it’ll feature live jazz music, a dinner, dancing, and an address by Whirlpool Vice President of Global Communications Eleanor Reece. The event will be held at The Black River Barn in South Haven and tickets are available now.
