Rick Warren, Laura Bush, Jerry Jones to Share Winning Game Plan with Christians
An all-star line-up from the church, sports, politics and business are coming together to impart their wisdom on leadership and management skills in a rare Salvation Army Conference event.
Occurring only once in every four years, The Salvation Army National Advisory Organizations Conference this year will bring together Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and U.S. first-lady Laura Bush on Friday to share about the best practices for serving suffering humanity in the United States and worldwide.
The four-day event is being held Apr. 26-29 in Dallas and includes a "NAOC Champions Celebration" dinner in the famed Dallas Cowboys' Texas Stadium on Saturday.
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Volunteering local and National Advisory Board members, all four Salvation Army Territorial Commanders, many of the 40 Divisional Commanders, and thousands of officers, staff and advisors from across the country are convened for a series of workshops and sessions on topics ranging from emergency response to fundraising to community relations to help them better respond to community needs.
"This is a great opportunity for attendees to come away with renewed enthusiasm and a winning game plan for doing the most good in their local communities," said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, co-chair of Salvation Army's NAOC, in a statement. "The lineup of speakers and workshops will provide innovative ideas and solutions for how best to serve those in need in their local communities."
During the conference, Salvation Army USA's national commander, Commissioner Israel Gaither, will present the Evangeline Booth Awards, including an award for corporate philanthropy to Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., who will accept on behalf of the company.
Wal-Mart will be the first for-profit organization ever to receive one of the Army's highest honors.
Last year, during the 2006 Red Kettle Campaign alone, Wal-Mart helped raise more than $30 million in front of stores and clubs. This was the most funds raised by a single corporate partner and amounted to a quarter of all Red Kettle fundraising.
"We honor Wal-Mart Stores because of its demonstrated commitment to go above and beyond the call of duty, not only for The Salvation Army, but for philanthropic organizations across the country who are intent on assisting Americans in their times of greatest need," said Gaither.
Evangeline Booth Awards to other guests include:
• Dixie Carter, from television's Designing Women and Desperate Housewives
• Dick Purtan, a Detroit-area radio host, and
• Steven S. Reinemund, former CEO of PepsiCo.
Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to:
• Robert and Joyce Byers and
• Richard and Beverly Davis
The Salvation Army, established in 1865, is an evangelical Christian organization helping those in need around the world. Over 31 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services offered including food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
