Salvation Army christens paved parking lot
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on October 21, 2008 1:46 PM
News-Argus/GREG SOUSA
Goldsboro's Salvation Army board members cut a ribbon to mark the completion of a paved lot. Pictured are, from left, Bill Winslow, Bob Tucker, Maj. Andrew Wiley, Shirley Edwards, Hal Tanner Jr., Steve Bryan, Sandy Korshun, Richard Slozack, Ruth Boyd, Ozzie Murphy, Murray Porter, Aaron Williford, Ben Strickland and Bob Logan.
Before Friday, the parking lot behind the Salvation Army Family Store on East Holly Street wasn't much of one.
The dirt lot was full of holes, some the size of a tire, and would become nearly impassable every time it rained.
Because of that, said Major Andrew Wiley, commanding officer for the Salvation Army, many people were often unsure of the state of the lot and were deterred from bringing donations to the store -- donations "which we desperately need," he said.
But now, the lot isn't a mess.
It is paved, and when it rains, that the water actually flows down to the drain like it is supposed to, not sinking into the dirt and causing problems.
"We opened (the paved lot) on Friday, but we wanted to test it out with rains over the weekend," Wiley said. "It's a world of difference."
So Monday, the Salvation Army Advisory Board walked down to the lot to cut a ribbon, signifying the opening of the new lot.
"Our hope is that it will bring donors back," Wiley said, especially with the holiday season approaching and the weakening economy tightening budgets.
"The store is for those who can't afford to shop at department stores, and those who don't want to ask for help," Wiley said. "They can come here and spend a little and get things for their families, and not feel bad about it. And those who can't afford that can talk with us and get vouchers for clothing.
"This store is a service to the community," he added.
And the hope is that the paved parking lot, which was paid for by several anonymous donors, will help bring more help to those people in need.
Donations can be taken to the store during its regular business hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.