About Lee & Hendry Counties

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 05:32 Last Updated on Monday, 12 October 2009 17:34 Written by demo

A Brief history of The Salvation Army in Lee County, Florida

Historical records about organizing the first corps unit in the city
of Fort  Myers, Florida document the growing need for the services of
The Salvation Army. News clippings from 1951 report that the informational
meeting had to be moved from the Edison Theater on Hendry Street to the
larger auditorium facility of the Edison Park School on Euclid Avenue to
accommodate the anticipated number of attendees.

Captains Arthur and Viola Sanders established the first post
between Sarasota and Miami in Fort Myers. They were joined by
names familiar to Fort Myers at the time, such as Frank Alderman,
the Reverend Eric Dance, former Mayor Heard Edwards, Lloyd
Hendry, former U.S. Senator George Smathers, Harry Kagan,
Mrs. George Allen, Charles Powell, and Frank B. Watson Jr.

Captain and Mrs. Sanders began ministering to the needy
immediately from the Army’s first headquarters across from the
U.S.Post Office (the former Federal Building) on Lee Street.
Records note that 300 families were served during the first quarter
of operation. Today, more than 300 families are served monthly.

The Sanders worked out of an office on Lee Street. Since the
office was small, meetings and early worship services were held under
a tent located at the corner of Palmetto and C Streets. From its humble
roots on Lee Street, The Salvation Army has expanded several times
in its span of service.

Expanded locations

Today, the Army has an expanded campus of social services located
on Edison Avenue, including The Red Shield Lodge—a 215–bed shelter.
In addition to the central campus, the Army operates two Family Stores:
one on Fowler Street in Fort Myers, and the second store on Del Prado in
Cape Coral. The Corps Community and Worship Center is located on
McGregor Boulevard, and an outpost for services has opened in Bonita Springs.

In the summer of 2004, an outpost for services was added and is located 
in the United Way House in Bonita Springs. In 2006, a second Family Store
joined the outreach program in support of Crossroads, the Army’s faith-based
substance abuse recovery program in Lee County.

Read our FAQs page for answers to common questions about The Salvation Army
of Lee and Hendry Counties.

For further information regarding the work of The Salvation Army, see below,
the links to the home page of the Florida Division, Southern Territory, National
or the International web sites.

International Headquarters

National Headquarters

USA Southern Territory

Florida Division