26
The War Cry | DECEMBER 2014
One Family's
Mission
by
MAJOR JIM GALLOP
B
lack Friday is the ultimate symbol of our
frenzied, everexpanding consumer
culture, when we attempt to satisfy a
seemingly insatiable desire for bargains. "Buy
this! One day only sale!" "Grab this gadget, only
100 in stock!"
One family has a different mission amid the
chaos. Every year since 1994, Ty Caffery and her family
play Christmas carols at a Salvation Army kettle site on
Black Friday. They have done so in Kansas, Mississippi,
and now in Clovis, New Mexico, their current home. "It is
simply our way of giving back." says Ty.
Ty grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas. When she was young,
her family fell on very hard times. When the struggle
became overwhelming, they sought out assistance, and
The Salvation Army came to their aid. "They helped us
when it seemed no one else would," says Ty, adding that
they did so with great empathy
and without judgment.
As Ty grew up, she developed a keen
interest in music. "I particularly loved
the sound, the tones of the trumpet.
Everywhere I go, I feel the need to play.
It's become a big part of my life.
"It was my grandma who sug-
gested I play at the kettle," Ty
continues. "Through all of the
struggles, Grandma was always
there, as was The Salvation Army. We were able to
double the donations for that kettle in Pittsburg. Even on
Black Friday, with the hustle and bustle, people love to be
soothed by Christmas carols." Ever since then, wherever
she has lived, Ty and her family have sought out The
Salvation Army to volunteer to play at a kettle site.
"Always on Black Friday," Ty says, "so we can give
back to the community... I'm happy to help."
Major Jim Gallop is Chaplain for the Army's Adult
Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco.
Coincidence or God?
by
JOYCE JOHNSTON
M
ajors John and Jane Horgen were the corps offi
cers
in Wenatchee, Washington. It's a pretty town of
about 31,000 located at the base of the foothills in
the Cascade Mountains and often referred to as the "Apple
Capital of the World."
On Christmas Eve day the Horgens
were fi nishing packing the last Christmas
gifts and food baskets to deliver to those
who had requested assistance. They had
been at it non�stop for many days. After
this fi nal delivery they could go home for
their own Christmas celebration and a
much�needed rest.
On their way home, they noticed a
little house about 200 feet from the road
all lit up. They had traveled this road a
hundred times but had never seen it, so
they decided to check it out.
They knocked at the door and a young
woman answered it, two small children at
her side. Her face lit up when she saw
them and exclaimed, "Oh! The Salvation
Army. You did come after all." Puzzled,
the Horgens asked her what she meant. She told them that
her husband was in prison and had written to
the corps asking for help for his family at Christmas. The
Horgens had never seen the letter, but told her not to
worry. They would return with gifts.
When they got back to their little warehouse they
found enough for generous gifts and a food basket.
When the Horgens returned to the Salvation Army offi
ce
at the corps after Christmas, Jane went
through the mail -- and there was the
husband's letter asking for their help.
What made Majors John and Jane
Horgen all of a sudden see the little
house? Why did they decide to check
it out? How was there just enough gifts
and food for the family?
Some would say "That was really
a coincidence!" A coincidence is defi ned
as: a combination of accidental circum-
stances that seem to have been planned or
arranged." You might say that this story
could fall in that category, or maybe not.
In Matthew 19:26 Jesus tells us,
"With God, all things are possible."
Joyce Johnson lives in Edmonds,
Washington.
our
uy
only
e
th
an
in
th
E
I
h
h
there, as was The S
With the
$135.9 million
given by individuals and
corporate partners last
Christmas, the Army served:
4.2 million
at Christmas with a warm
meal and toys for children
30+ million
people throughout the
year Services included:
10 million
nights of shelter
58 million
meals and support for a range
of services at the local level,
from after�school to substance
abuse programs
.
2O13 Kettle Stats:
20,25-26_KettleDriveFact_WCDec14_Werk4.indd 26
11/14/14 12:54 PM