Successful Hope in the City Breakfast in London

by The Salvation Army in Canada
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A capacity crowd gathered at the Lamplighter Inn in London, Ontario, on Thursday, November 14, 2013, in support of the second annual Hope in the City Breakfast.

 

Following words of welcome, Major Pat Phinney, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development, introduced the event’s emcee and 2013 London Kettle Champion, Retired Police Chief Murray Faulkner.

City Councillor Harold Usher, who has a rich history with The Salvation Army in his home country of Belize, Central America, brought greetings on behalf of His Worship, Mayor Joe Fontana, and the City of London.

Keynote speaker Stephen Lewis, one of Canada’s most influential commentators on social affairs, international development and human rights, engaged the audience with his remarkable command of the English language when sharing from his vast international humanitarian experiences.  Mr. Lewis consistently referenced the work of The Salvation Army he has witnessed, both in Canada and abroad, as being an integral part of the solution to world poverty and its related social issues.  When sharing heart-wrenching stories and staggering statistics reflecting the scourge of social injustice, he reminded his listeners that behind every statistic is a ‘human face’, and that The Salvation Army offers hope and dignity to thousands of such individuals each and every day.

Mr. Lewis is co-founder and co-director of AIDS-Free World and board chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Major Morris Vincent, Divisional Commander, thanked Mr. Lewis for his thought-provoking address and challenged the business leaders in attendance to consider supporting the work of The Salvation Army so that together ‘we can bring hope to the city of London’.  He assured them that they would see a good return on their investment given that 86 cents of every dollar received by The Salvation Army is invested in programs and services.

Special Christmas music was provided by a brass ensemble from London Citadel and Majors Gary & Marion Venables offered the vocal selection, ‘One Small Child’.

Bringing the successful event to a conclusion, Major Vincent offered a Christmas blessing.