Salvation Army helps with food, housing - and renewing faith

Dottie Roza and her daughter arrived in Colorado Springs four years ago from Texas with pretty much nothing.

They had no money, nowhere to stay, no food and no friends. If it weren’t for the Salvation Army, Roza said, she and her daughter would have been homeless and without other basic necessities.

Through the grapevine, she heard about the assistance the Salvation Army offers those in need. The religious organization serves 41,000 clients each year through various support programs, including the R.J. Montgomery New Hope Center, a shelter for the homeless.

The Salvation Army is one of 14 local charities that receives donations from The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund.

Over the years, Roza has received help with paying for prescriptions and electric bills. She’s also obtained food and housing. Today, she lives in a Salvation Army-sponsored apartment complex, and her daughter has returned to Texas.

Along with meeting her physical needs, the Salvation Army helped mend Roza’s broken spirituality.

“I’ve always believed in God, but through my times of trouble my spirituality had kind of faded away,” she said. “The Salvation Army has given me my spirituality back because of their faith, strength and belief.”

Roza is so grateful for the helping hand that she’s now a generous volunteer. Twice a week, she drives the Salvation Army’s soup truck, which delivers hot dinners to the homeless. She’s manning this year’s angel trees, which solicit gifts for needy children. She tells her story at the homeless shelter to let others know there is a way to get through the tough times. And she’s a regular helper at Salvation Army holiday meals. The organization fed 4,000 at Thanksgiving.

“When you get, you give. That’s what it’s all about,” Roza said. “The Salvation Army has been a savior to me, and I’m so thankful and proud to be a part of it.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0235 or debbie.kelley@gazette.com

EMPTY STOCKING FUND

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund, send a check payable to Empty Stocking Fund to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Donate online at gazette.com or www.coloradosprings.com and click on the Empty Stocking Fund link. Credit card or stock donations can also be made by phone, 476-1673.

Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund will be accepted until Jan. 18.