Salvation Army
fete still to go on
Editor, The Commercial:
As the first Friday of December approaches, thoughts of the annual Christmas Luncheon and Festival of Tables, sponsored by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, are ever present.
Because of covid-19, this year’s event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4, will be radically different.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
It will be held on the grounds of the First United Methodist Church at 200 W. Sixth Ave. There will be no food, tablescapes, entertainment by the Jenkins Choir, door prizes or table favors. But there will be an opportunity to make a donation during this drive-through, drop-off event to support the local Salvation Army Corps, which provides food, shelter, socialization opportunities, spiritual enrichment and many other services and activities.
For more than four decades this event has been supported by hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers. It started as a Shoppers Special, featuring kettle soup, sandwiches, chips and pickup desserts. There were no tickets to purchase, just a freewill contribution from each attendee. From this very humble beginning, the event has become one of the most visible Christmas events in Pine Bluff. This is because of the volunteers who have supported the event — everyone from those who bought tickets, to baked cakes, sang in the Jenkins Choir, set up tables and chairs, created tablescapes and a myriad of other chores and activities necessary to make an event run smoothly.
The needs are still there and this year’s proceeds will be used to purchase essential items for the Salvation Army shelter, send less-fortunate youngsters to summer camp and fund other projects for the local Corps.
If you are unable to participate in the virtual luncheon, donations may be delivered or mailed to the Salvation Army Corps headquarters at 501 E. 12th Ave., Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
I hope to see you on Friday to wish you a Merry Christmas in person.
Eva Marie Pearson, publicity chairman,
Christmas
Luncheon and
Festival of Tables