H 5769

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5769
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SALVATION ARMY OF AIKEN
FOR A CENTURY OF FAITHFUL AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF AIKEN
COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING REGION AND TO CONGRATULATE ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
VOLUNTEERS, SUPPORTERS, AND THOSE THEY SERVE, AS THE ORGANIZATION OBSERVES ITS
ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR OF MINISTRY IN AIKEN.
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize the Salvation Army's
enduring commitment to faith, service, and compassion that has strengthened these
communities; and
Whereas, The Salvation
Army officially began its ministry on Union Street and later established a
presence on Park Avenue in Aiken on January 16, 1927. Under the leadership of
Envoys John and Thelma Gomillion, a ministry dedicated to serving individuals
and families in need and sharing the hope of the Christian faith was
established. The Salvation Army quickly became an important part of the Aiken
community and began building a tradition of service that would span
generations; and
Whereas, throughout the
ensuing century, devoted Salvation Army officers, employees, volunteers,
donors, advisory board members, community partners, and other supporters have
given generously of their time, talents, and resources to improve the lives of
their neighbors; and
Whereas, through
changing times and changing community needs, The Salvation Army of Aiken has
remained steadfast in its calling to provide emergency assistance, disaster
response, food, shelter, clothing, and countless other acts of compassion to
those facing hardship, as well as sponsoring the annual Angel Tree to ensure
families and children have a merry Christmas; and
Whereas, today The
Salvation Army continues this proud tradition through the Red Shield Emergency
Shelter, feeding programs, Emergency Social Services, the Red Shield Youth
Center, disaster relief, thrift stores, worship ministries, and programs that
touch thousands of people each year; and
Whereas, its ministry
now reaches beyond Aiken County to serve individuals and families throughout
Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties by extending the
organization's influence and compassionate care across a significant portion of
western South Carolina; and
Whereas, generations of
Aiken residents have known The Salvation Army as a place where those
confronting hunger, homelessness, financial hardship, disaster, loneliness, or
spiritual need may find a helping hand, a caring heart, and renewed hope. Its
century of service reflects The Salvation Army's enduring mission to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without partiality, a
mission carried forward in Aiken through practical service grounded in
Christian love; and
Whereas, as The
Salvation Army of Aiken observes its one hundredth year of ministry, its
leaders and supporters are not only celebrating an extraordinary legacy, but
also looking toward the future with renewed vision through innovative
ministries, stronger community partnerships, and plans for a future Center of
Hope campus designed to expand its ability to serve generations yet to come;
and
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives deeply appreciates the great contributions
The Salvation Army has made to Aiken and beyond since 1927 and recognizes its
remarkable record of service has been made possible by generations of faithful
officers, employees, volunteers, donors, churches, businesses, civic
organizations, community partners, and friends desiring to serve others. It is
altogether fitting that the House of Representatives should pause to celebrate
this historic milestone and express the gratitude of the people of this State
for a century of faith in action. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the
South Carolina House of Representatives,
by this resolution, recognize and honor The Salvation Army of Aiken for a
century of faithful and compassionate service to the people of Aiken County and
the surrounding region and congratulate its officers, employees, volunteers,
supporters, community partners, and those they serve, as the organization
observes its one hundredth year of ministry in Aiken.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to The Salvation Army of Aiken.
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This web page was last updated on August 11, 2026 at 03:21 PM