|Photo by Joselyn King| Sisters Jackie McLaughlin, left, and Jenny Bishop each have volunteered at the Wheeling Salvation Army for more than 60 years. They were among those honored for their service during the Salvation Army Awards Banquet on Thursday in Wheeling.

WHEELING – The Salvation Army of Wheeling thanked those Wednesday who help them achieve their goals.

Among those goals is helping the local homeless to set their own goals, explained Commander Lt. John Lawrence.

The Salvation Army hosted its annual awards luncheon Thursday at its main facility and chapel at 3333 Eoff Street.

“At our homeless shelter… 100% of everyone who comes into a homeless shelter is going through some kind of mental crisis,” Lawrence said. “They are in a very bad place in their lives.

“We are there leading with compassion and empathy – but we’re not leaving them there.”

Homeless clients at the Salvation Army on 16th Street are set up with a caseworker within five days, and they are helped to set short-term and long-term goals.

“This is because love without borders is not love at all,” Lawrence added. “So we want to set those goals for them and meet with them regularly so we can make certain they are meeting those goals.”

Caseworkers will help them with such things as obtaining proof of identification, getting a job and obtaining medical insurance.

Lawrence noted that because the Salvation Army wants them to meet their goals, there now is no time limit on how long a client can stay at the Salvation Army shelter.

“We want to see people work toward those goals,” he continued. “As long as they are working toward those goals, that’s when they get to stay.”

During the past year, the Salvation Army’s 35-bed shelter has been renovated. New beds, mattresses and furniture have been purchased for the facility, according to Lawrence. There are also renovated bathrooms and a new large capacity washer and dryer at the shelter.

“Now there is someplace they can go that’s clean and where they can get off the streets and start looking for a future,” Lawrence said.

He spoke of the food pantries in Ohio and Marshall counties, and he called out Marshall County Schools for its efforts to collect food items for its annual food drive at Christmas time

Lawrence reported that 3,409 pounds of food came into the pantry, and a large part of that was courtesy of John Marshall High School students collecting items.

Those attending the luncheon were each individually presented with certificates of appreciation.

Among those honored were volunteers Jenny Bishop and Jackie McLaughlin – sisters who have each volunteered with the Salvation Army for more than 60 years. The two also catered Thursday’s luncheon.

The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office was awarded for raising the most money during the Salvation Army’s annual “Battle of the Badge” competition last holiday season. Local first responders ring bells at the red kettles during the contest

Lawrence acknowledged the Sheriff’s Office had a bit of an advantage as they had two teams stationed at The Highlands – one outside Cabela’s and one at Walmart. The Cabela’s team actually collected the most donations in their kettle, he reported.