Banner Realty celebrates 30th anniversary with gift to Salvation Army
ALPENA — Banner Realty continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary by contributing to the community that has helped make it a successful business.
The Banner Realty team on Monday presented a check to the Salvation Army, which will be used to purchase a much-needed stand-up freezer.
“We are happy as a Banner Realty team to be able to supply this to them, and we hope it blesses them and many other people as they continue their ministry,” said Banner Realty Broker/Owner Margie Haaxma.
“Our dream, our wish, was for a stand-up freezer for our pantry,” Salvation Army Captain Amy Cedervall said at Monday’s presentation. “It will actually give us the opportunity to have more meat and dairy-type products available to people, because we’re struggling with space sometimes.”
She said especially now during these tough economic times, people need help.
“Right now, we’re definitely seeing an influx of people who are struggling with food, and providing basic needs for their families because they’re not working,” she explained.
“It’s been a concern,” her husband, Major Kevin Cedervall, added. “A lot of people either aren’t working or are working a whole lot less.”
Haaxma noted that Banner Realty has worked with the Salvation Army over the course of its 30 years in business, providing donations to them on a regular basis, but this one is much bigger than usual. They collect winter gloves, hats and outerwear each year to donate to the Salvation Army.
Salvation Army and Banner Realty are both based on Christian values, and they want to spread a message of hope to the community.
“The great part about being a Christian is we have Jesus in our life, and we don’t have to fear what’s going to happen,” Kevin Cedervall said. “Because he is there. And no matter what we face, there’s always that promise that he’s going to be with us through it all.”
In addition to being Corps officers, the Cedervalls are pastors. The Salvation Army Alpena Corps Community Center is located at 722 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena. To contact the Salvation Army, call 989-358-2769.
To watch a video of the presentation, visit the Banner Realty Facebook page.