The Voice of The Salvation Army

Team Effort

In The Avengers, an unlikely group of misfit superheroes joins forces to save the world.

May 4, 2012 by Chad Bonham Leave a Comment


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You know the word epic has become overused when eight-year-olds routinely employ it to describe schoolyard soccer and hopscotch matches. But the latest superhero blockbuster film The Avengers is an exception. How else can you describe six Marvel Comic characters (most of whom have been featured in at least one of their own movies) coming together in the same action-packed, mega-budget, big-screen … [Read more...]

Teed Off

Before he could become great, PGA golfer Bubba Watson had to confront his biggest handicap.

April 11, 2012 by Jayne Thurber-Smith Leave a Comment


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Gerry “Bubba” Watson believed in himself when the critics didn’t. Since bursting onto the PGA stage in 2006, Bubba has always received acclaim for his long drives—he led the PGA Tour that year in driving distance (319.6 yards)—but critics accused him of being too creative and trying to do too much with the ball. With no professional training, they thought he didn’t have what it … [Read more...]

Maestro, Music Please

Bramwell Tovey’s Salvation Army roots inform every flick of his baton as he conducts orchestras all over the world. 

March 16, 2012 by Jayne Thurber-Smith Leave a Comment


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“There’s a deep bond between spirituality and the world of classical music,” declares world-renowned conductor, composer and musician Bramwell Tovey. “The music is full of expressions of faith and Christian doctrine, which is frequent inspiration for whatever I do. For example, the song Lo He Comes With Clouds Descendin’ is so brilliant. It’s perfectly harmonized and gives you such a … [Read more...]

Chef Recovery

The names Jay Barnard gives his signature dishes tell his story of redemption. 

March 16, 2012 by Linda Leigh Leave a Comment


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As he hustles about the kitchen making last-minute tweaks to the main courses, Jay Barnard doesn’t seem out of place among the other chefs and sous chefs in the Delta Hotel’s kitchen in Ottawa. Yet this man had once bought and sold drugs, and was arrested and incarcerated. Out of Control Jay Barnard’s story of addiction goes back to the age of eight. Unable to cope with his parents’ … [Read more...]

A New Chapter

Addicted to cocaine, booze and cigarettes, I’d become a hollow shell. I needed to turn the page.

February 24, 2012 by Jacqueline Edwards Leave a Comment


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Many people see themselves as an open book. If you asked me to describe myself, I’d reply that my life was a book of hidden tales that don’t bear thinking about anymore. It’s almost ironic, then, that my life took an unexpected direction when I saw someone with her name embossed on a book—a book I had to have. Insidious Journey The first chapters of my life were quite ordinary. Born in … [Read more...]

In Sickness and in Health

How one couple found love against all odds 

February 14, 2012 by Julia Hosking Leave a Comment


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Rick Beckett knew he had met the love of his life when Lezah Jordan came into St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph, Ont. The pair were so confident in their shared love that, 364 days later, Rick and Lezah were saying their wedding vows and promising to stand by each other “in sickness and in health.” But while that can be a lightly spoken phrase for some couples, Rick and Lezah knew … [Read more...]

Love Never Fails

Helped by The Salvation Army when her life hit a low ebb, Carol Willems knows what it is like to be in despair at Christmastime

December 15, 2011 by Ken Ramstead 1 Comment


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“Could you please get your car and drive it to the church entrance?” the Salvation Army pastor asked Carol Willems a couple of days before the holidays. What an odd request! a panicked Carol thought. Are they going to fire me and ask me to haul away all of my things? The separated mother of two was already depressed as the Christmas season approached and had thrown herself into her work as … [Read more...]

Reading the Signs

My kids wanted me to help the homeless, but first I had to check my attitude

December 2, 2011 by Diane Stark Leave a Comment


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“Mommy, why is that man holding a sign?” my youngest daughter asked from the car’s back seat. Before I could answer, my son replied, “The sign says, ‘Will work for food.’ That means he’s hungry but he doesn’t have any money, so he wants to do some jobs for people to get some money.” “Can he do a job for us, Mommy?” “We don’t really need any jobs done, … [Read more...]

Helping to Heal

Chiropractor Norm Detillieux uses his skills to help the less fortunate in Nanaimo, B.C. 

November 16, 2011 by Ken Ramstead Leave a Comment


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“It’s always been my dream to help the less fortunate,” says Norm Detillieux, a chiropractor in Nanaimo, B.C. “Now, with The Salvation Army’s help, I am putting my dream into practice, helping people help themselves. It’s a wonderful feeling.” Something to Offer Norm was born just outside of Prince Albert, Sask. “I’m a farm boy,” he smiles, “and growing up on a farm … [Read more...]

Crippled by Crack Cocaine

Rory lost everything to drugs. The Salvation Army
helped restore his dignity. 

May 20, 2011 by Linda Leigh Leave a Comment


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He thought it was the only way out. “I believed disappearing would solve my problems,” says 43-year-old Rory. “I was foolish enough to think a new life would be waiting for me.” Rory was an alcoholic in denial when his marriage of 15 years disintegrated. After the mother of his two sons divorced him, he was lonely, depressed and regretful. A functional addict, he hid his problem with … [Read more...]