Anoka Company Helps Brooklyn Park Salvation Army After Vandalism, ‘Being Grateful Is an Action Word’

Employees from an Anoka company called 24Restore shopped at the Brooklyn Park Hy-Vee for food and items for the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army.

“You think about Thanksgiving as a time to be grateful and something like this happens to people. The fact is being grateful is an action word. It’s something you have to take action on, and we pride ourselves on doing this year-round,” said Christopher McAlpine, with 24Restore. “Especially right now, it’s a big difference because these people almost went without coats. There’s a lot of things that the Salvation Army does that people don’t realize.”

The center was vandalized two weeks ago, and the company took employees to shop for more than $6,800 worth of items then matched that amount in a cash donation to the Salvation Army.

The Brooklyn Park Fire Department was on hand while people shopped for the items, and then they escorted them to the Salvation Army center.

“Whether it be flooding or tornadoes or fires, the Salvation Army is always here for all of us as citizens of our community,” said Jeff St. Martin, Brooklyn Park deputy fire marshal. “This unfortunate event occurred, it’s very important for us on giving back.”

See also: Man Charged with Brooklyn Park Salvation Army Arson