If you go
› What: Salvation Army of Chattanooga’s 125th Anniversary Banquet.› When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23.› Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.› Admission: Free, but reservations are requested by Monday, Aug. 13.› To RSVP: Call Thomas Black at 423-308-7705 or complete the form at www.csarmy.org (click on Events and 125-Year Anniversary Banquet).
Two high-profile brothers will provide the message and the music at The Salvation Army of Chattanooga's 125th Anniversary Banquet later this month.
Anthony Evans Jonathan Evans, chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys and former NFL fullback, will speak at the celebration, and contemporary gospel music star Anthony Evans, who began his career as a backup singer for Kirk Franklin, appeared on "The Voice" and has released eight albums, will perform. Both are sons of famed author and megachurch pastor Tony Evans.
Another former NFL star, Gerald Antonio Riggs, a running back who played for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins, will give the challenge for the evening.
Retired four-star Gen. B.B. Bell of Chattanooga will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The gala is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Seating is free, but organizers are asking that reservations be made by Monday, Aug. 13.
"The Salvation Army recognizes that serving a community for 125 years is a true blessing," says Kimberly George, director of marketing and development. "We could not have done it without the support of our neighbors, so we would like to celebrate together."
An anonymous donor funded the entire event so that all donations made will go toward continuing the ministry of The Salvation Army. Other sponsors include Decosimo Certified Public Accountants, Southern Champion Tray and Covenant Transport.
Salvation Army officials will collect a freewill offering during the celebration. The goal is to raise $125,000.
During the evening, Salvation Army officials will honor the memory of life advisory board members Jerry Adams and Judge Robert Summitt, who died in June.
March 16, 1893, marks the day J.C. Smith organized The Salvation Army in Chattanooga under the direction of Bramwell Booth.
Booth's father, William Booth of England, established the Christian movement with a quasi-military structure and government in 1865, and the movement spread from London throughout the world.
Armed with a mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs without discrimination, The Salvation Army in Chattanooga serves more than 20,000 people a year by providing services such as temporary shelter, utility bill payments, clothes and kindness, George says.
The parent organization helps 25 million people in 128 countries around the world. It ranks fourth among Forbes' listing of the 100 Largest U.S Charities for 2017.
The anniversary celebration started in February with a visit from Dove Award-winning contemporary Christian group Selah.
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.