When You Really Need Help, They are There

What touched Celia and Bob the most about The Salvation Army was the fact that they never turn anyone away. "No matter how down and out you are, The Salvation Army will tide you over, give you shelter, give you food, and help you get back on your feet."

Celia and Bob's own story reads like a novel. He was a pilot in the Air Force; she was a nurse. After her two-year tour was over, she was going to be stationed in Greenland. But that was too far for Bob, so he proposed.

As the couple neared retirement, Bob made good use of their income. He not only met their immediate needs but also funded charitable gift annuities with The Salvation Army. The dignity with which the Army treats people was an important factor in their charitable giving decision. And they felt good knowing that they would be helping future generations - providing loving care for people, as they had cared for each other over the years.

"It's a win-win," says Celia. "If you decide that you want a charitable gift annuity as a way to save money, to provide for your own retirement - or if you want to use it as a way to do good, constructive things out in the community, to help people who are truly in need - you can have it all."

After Bob died, Celia wanted to be sure she took care of all the provisions he had made. The Salvation Army helped her with a plan that would provide for her, her daughter, the Army, and her community.

"You can buy small gift annuities, and ours were not huge amounts, but we did it every year. And by the time you collect three or four, that makes a very nice increase to your retirement income. And it's especially nice for widows, which was our plan."

With her annuities, Celia is making sure that the mission of The Salvation Army lives on, and that her ideals live on as well.

"This helps me, it helps my daughter, and it helps the Army."