May 21, 2006 – Captain Ricardo Fernandez, commander of the Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands Division of The Salvation Army, congratulated the founding Advisory Board for The Salvation Army St. Thomas on Friday night, May 19, at an installation dinner at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage. The installation dinner marked National Salvation Army Week, which is celebrated May 15-21, and the first time a community advisory board has been elected in the Virgin Islands.
St. Thomas attorney Tom Bolt was elected as chairman of the new advisory board. Other officers include Kathryn Greene, vice-president; Joy Stanley, secretary; and Jeff McNeil, treasurer. Other new advisory board members include Wein Dimetrous, Maria Ferreras and Addie Ottley.
The Salvation Army Advisory Board is a group of volunteers who provide leadership and advice in guiding the programs and fund raising efforts within the St. Thomas Social Services Command. The future success of the army's outreach to those in need in our community will depend on the dedication of these special friends of the army.
In accepting the responsibility as founding chairman, Bolt noted the services that the army provided the St. Thomas community and the opportunities to do more. "The Salvation Army provides a safety net for so many of the forgotten in our community, but so much more could be done. In a community such as St. Thomas, there is no reason any child — any person — should be hungry." He outlined a potential new program to secure food from restaurants, cruise ships and grocery stores to recycle them to food programs for the needy. "It is my sincere hope that we can also work with the homeless that suffer from mental illness by providing providing a clinic at The Salvation Army facilities on Market Square." Bolt said.
Major Frederico Craig, chief officer of The Salvation Army St. Thomas, who hosted the installation dinner, concluded the program, stating, "We are grateful for the commitment and support of our newly elected Advisory Board members and look forward to working together to help The Salvation Army fulfill its mission of helping those in need 7 days a week, 365 days a year."
The Salvation Army was founded 145 years ago as a religious and social services organization. Since that time, the organization has taken a holistic approach to working with people, addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs without discrimination.
