Published: November 22, 2008 11:52 pm      

Volunteers view Ravens

As Honor Rows recipients, Salvation Army volunteers attend Ravens game

CUMBERLAND — Youth volunteers from The Salvation Army in Cumberland were chosen as a recipient for the Baltimore Ravens 2008 Honor Rows program, sponsored by M&T Bank.

The youth attended a Ravens game against the Oakland Raisers and received free tickets, T-shirts, and in-game recognition on the SMARTVISION screens. The group also received a Governor’s Citation from Gov. Martin O’Malley in recognition of their service.

The volunteers served in The Salvation Army Youth Outreach programs. The Honor Rows selection process is based on number of volunteer hours served, meeting the need of the surrounding community, developing leadership, personal and social skills, and the involvement of at-risk youth.

Maj. Sue Dewan, corps officer at The Salvation Army, nominated the 16 active youth volunteers who, together, have logged about 4,000 volunteer hours. Volunteers were allowed to invite one participant each from their programs.

The programs serve low- to moderate-income families in Allegany County through after-school and recreational activities, providing a safe place for area children to do homework and play. Mentors from high schools and local colleges serve as role models and assist with homework. Entire families are reached through the Family Supper Club and Parent Connection programs.

The youth leadership team is made up of 12- to 18-year-olds who do not allow their own difficult circumstances to keep them from making a positive difference in their communities and throughout the world. They conduct fundraisers for events, help organize and run events for neighborhood kids, and serve as volunteer staff.

The team acts as staff for the Friday Night Roller Skating program, held once a month on Fridays throughout the school year. The youth volunteer at the Good Choices programs and other community center events. For the last three years, they have conducted the local 30-Hour Famine for World Vision, to raise funds to feed children in developing countries. These efforts have raised more than $7,000 and inspired five other youth groups to participate. For this event, they spend 30 hours together at the center, fasting and conducting hunger awareness activities for themselves, the neighborhood and the community.

In the last year, some of these teens have experienced financial hardship and uncertainty, family problems and dysfunction, and other difficulties. As they all like to say, “There’s always somebody else who’s worse off.”