“When The Salvation Army in Charleston received a $25,000.00 check on Friday, December 18, 2009 we had no idea of the impact that bogus piece of paper would have on our outreach,” recalls Captain Anthony Juliana. While volunteers and staff were busy giving out food, clothes and toys for Christmas, it became obvious that the generous donation was going to be helpful in meeting some of the additional needs that were arising. After some 2311 families had applied for the annual Christmas assistance program, an additional 100 families were calling with emergency circumstances that would require more food, more toys, more help! “What could we do?” Captain Juliana questioned. “We believed we could help, because of corporate generosity.” The Salvation Army purchased additional toys and additional food cards to meet the need. Then reality hit. On Monday, December 22, three days before Christmas it was discovered that The Salvation Army was on the receiving end of a cruel hoax. The check had been written on an account that had been closed for months. The $25,000.00 that was believed to be available for meeting the needs of others was gone in the time it took to answer the phone call. To end the story here, however, would be to miss the real story.

 

When local media heard of the hoax, a firestorm of coverage resulted. Within hours, the story was published nationally. The story went viral on the internet. Then, the miracle: 278 friends and supporters of The Salvation Army from 31 states across the country rose to meet the challenge of replacing that $25,000.00. Individuals from all walks of life started giving. Some people personally came by the local office and dropped off cash donations and checks. They apologized that they couldn’t make up the full $25,000.00, but they could give $25.00. Some gave more, and some gave less. For some, that represented the equivalent of giving $25,000.00 and those gifts are what made such a significant impact. Letters poured in from across America; from Maine to California and every where in between. “My eyes would not stay dry when I read what someone had done to you,” wrote a donor from Maine. “I wish they would stay dry. I wish I could send you lots more!” Cards of encouragement were written as friends in Pennsylvania wanted The Salvation Army to “know that there are some people on this earth who appreciate what you do.” Stories came in of how The Salvation Army had helped people in the past. “I still remember the story,” recalls one from California about a story her mother used to tell. “I like to donate to The Salvation Army in gratitude for your help those many years ago.”

 

As of Tuesday afternoon, January 12, 2010, less than six days after the story broke nationally, 127 friends and supporters from South Carolina and our Charleston area neighbors joined forces with 107 others from around the country, and 39 on-line donors had given just over $75,500.00. “Obviously, we are still waiting for checks to clear the bank,” Captain Juliana said with a smile,  “but we are counting on the kind-hearted donors who have demonstrated an incredible sense of integrity over this event.”

 

The generous outpouring of friends and supporters had resulted in cash gifts, checks, on-line donations and even a wire transfer amounting to over $75,500.00. The lost $25,000 times three! “The public’s response is both encouraging and humbling,” wrote Captain Juliana, “and that is the real story. People have trusted us to help others. We can do no less.” The funds have been allocated for direct service to people needing assistance in the Charleston Tri-county area. “The thoughtfulness and generous attitudes of our friends will make a lasting impact on our hurting neighbors, friends, co-workers and others. The need,” the Captain reminds us, “is still greater. We used to say that ‘need knows no season.’ That is true. The need will last longer than the $75,000.00 will.” The Salvation Army keeps serving, knowing that it has friends and supporters who will stand beside them to help those for whom there is no other source for help.

 

The original $25,000.00 was going to help with costs of Christmas, and so $25,000.00 will be used as originally allocated. The additional $50,500.00 will be allocated to our three social services offices located in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties to provide direct assistance to folks who apply and qualify for rental and utility assistance. It will also be spread over the next 6 months in order to provide the most efficient use of the gift. Anything additional that comes will be allocated accordingly, as well.

 

Captain Anthony T. Juliana

Commanding Officer