SALUTE 2014

SALUTE is an annual fundraising event for The Servant Center (TSC), the proceeds go to benefiting The Servant Center programs serving homeless & disabled veterans. This year, the event was held in the Empire Room of downtown Greensboro and had about 120 guests. SALUTE is a social event to give thanks to former and current military as well as their families in a WWII theme with entertainment being a Bob Hope impersonator and “Letters From Home” an Andrews Sister’s tribute to truly take you back in time. Did I mention there were swing dancers?! Music will never be the same… that’s a whole ‘nother blog.

Veterans are twice as likely as other Americans to become chronically homeless.

SALUTE was graciously sponsored by businesses around the triad and many of their employees were in attendance. There were silent auctions, in-kind donations to be won by raffle drawings and some freebies. Chronic homelessness has decreased in Guilford County, but the number of homeless veterans has increased so seeing veterans, their families, TSC staff, AmeriCorps members and the community all coming together to give thanks for our freedom was breath taking. The food was delicious, entertainment to die for, and conversations that could go on all night.

1 in 4 homeless people are veterans.

Being a 90’s baby, I don’t know what it feels like to have our country governed by war the way it was in the 1940’s. I am thankful for that but working at TSC part-time gives me the opportunity to listen to stories the veterans living in transitional housing are willing to share. It is important to learn all we can from the past and not let it be forgotten about as new generations are born. SALUTE is a great way to do that and give appreciation to Veterans and current military personnel who deserve so much more.

-Amber Ward