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Sponsored by a gift from UnitedHealthcare, the event served to introduce Majors Robert W. and Hester E. Dixon as the new directors of operations for The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia and Lt. Colonels Donald W. and Renée P. Lance as the divisional leaders for The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. During the event, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter presented each with a special City of Philadelphia citation. As directors of operations, the Dixons are responsible for the ten neighborhood-based community centers across the city, as well as a multitude of community services, including eight residential programs, The Salvation Army’s social services programs, volunteers, disaster response and the summer camp and Christmas assistance programs that assists tens of thousands of individuals each year. As divisional leaders, the Lances are responsible for the administrative oversight for all personnel, financial and program components of more than 53 Salvation Army corps community centers, 15 residential programs, The Salvation Army Camp Ladore and Conference Center, 118 commissioned Salvation Army officers, and more than 1,100 employees. While both the Dixons and Lances are serving in new capacities, both couples have roots and previous service in Philadelphia. The Dixons entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training from Philadelphia and were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in 1981. Most recently they served as the area coordinators for The Salvation Army in Buffalo, New York. Additionally they have served as corps commanding officers and in numerous divisional and territorial leadership positions. They also served as Salvation Army missionaries for 3 ½ years in Liberia West Africa. Prior to their current appointments as divisional leaders, the Lances were the divisional leaders of The Salvation Army Empire State Division which encompasses New York state’s 48 northern counties. Lt. Colonel Donald W. Lance has had assignments as a corps commanding officer, area coordinator, in divisional headquarters leadership positions, and served on the staff of The Salvation Army School for Officer Training. Lt. Colonel Renée P. Lance enjoyed many years of professional nursing prior to becoming a Salvation Army officer. She served as the health officer at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training and in divisional headquarters leadership positions. The event was catered by The Salvation Army Soup’s On! Project. This culinary arts job training and job placement program of The Salvation Army has helped unemployed and underemployed individuals cook up new careers since 1999. Participants are referred by local community agencies and numerous Salvation Army programs. Program graduates earn a ServeSafe certificate and are employed at culinary establishments throughout Philadelphia. Currently, 413 students have graduated with a 91 percent job retention rate. Guests include: Heather Cianfrocco, president UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania; Bishop Audrey Bronson, president Black Clergy of Philadelphia; Rev. Malcolm Byrd, director of the Mayor’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives; Mayor Michael A. Nutter; Bishop C. Milton Grannum, New Covenant Church; Dr. Rev. Charles Lett, Sr., presiding elder, the AME Church; and more.
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Philadelphia, PA, (November 3, 2011)
– Elected officials, business and community leaders will welcomed the new
Salvation Army leadership team to Philadelphia with a special reception at City
Hall on Thursday, November 3, 2011.
