LEOMINSTER — Longtime Salvation Army Fitchburg Corps Envoy Lynnette Valentine-Warren was beaming with pride while recognizing many members of the local community at a recent appreciation dinner.

The mood was jovial and celebratory at the April 16 affair, held at the Leominster Elks Lodge, that has become an annual tradition, a way to pay tribute to all the Salvation Army volunteers, donors and community partners — people out doing good, time and time again.

“All of you are those shining stars,” Valentine-Warren said to the crowd of people gathered who each went home with a gold star pin that were on the tables. “The Salvation Army needs more people like you.”

There was an area set up like a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services canteen and even the meal served was the same food volunteers prepare for the public safety personnel who step up to help when there’s a fire or hurricane or such, as well as the people affected. Several members of the Emergency Disaster Services team were on hand to collect awards from Valentine-Warren, just one of the many groups, organizations and individuals who received one that evening.

She relayed that it is “getting harder and harder” to meet the needs of everyone who reaches out to the Salvation Army for assistance, whether it’s at Christmastime with toys for children and such or year-round with rent, food and other necessities.

“They are humbling themselves to come to us,” Valentine-Warren said.

She also disclosed that they did not meet their fundraising goal this past holiday season for the first time since she came on as the Salvation Army Fitchburg Corps envoy 11 years ago, which is headquartered on Water Street in Fitchburg and is a branch of the international charitable nonprofit.

“This is how you can help, one donation at a time,” she said.

She talked about all the bell ringers who are faithfully out in the cold in their coverage areas — Fitchburg, Leominster and Lunenburg — collecting money during the yearly Red Kettle holidays campaign, some who have been doing it for many years.

And Valentine-Warren also gave a shoutout to all the businesses that generously donate food and supplies, the organizations and groups that hold food and toy drives, and so much more done by local people that enables them to lift up those in the community who need it the most.

She spoke about bell ringers representing Leominster Credit Union, local Rotary clubs, Leominster Community Branch YMCA, and students in the Monty Tech Marine Corps JROTC Program, who are out at the Market Basket in Leominster and Athol every weekend during the Red Kettle season.

She called out members of the Fitchburg Fire Department, Ayer Police Department, FMC Devens staff, EDS team members, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, Making Opportunity County, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and others for their dedication and unwavering support.

“I am grateful for everyone,” Valentine-Warren said while handing out numerous awards to dozens of people, all part of the dedicated crew who ensure the Salvation Army is there in times of crisis — 365 days a year.

Kathy Black, who has been working with special needs kids in the Fitchburg and the region for over 40 years was moved to tears when she accepted an award as part of a group of people recognized by Valentine-Warren. And Leominster resident Danielle Fisher was moved to be one of the award recipients because of her efforts to raise funds and provide hundreds of Christmas gifts for children and special needs adults as part of the Salvation Army Angel Tree effort.

“Our community needs us and it takes a village,” Valentine-Warren said. “I want people to leave here inspired.”

Fitchburg City Councilor Amy Green shared her own personal story about receiving assistance from the Salvation Army when she was a recent divorcee years ago.

“There was no judgment and no shame,” she said, adding that “now I’ve gotten to pay it forward” as one of the newest Salvation Army Fitchburg Corps Envoy board members.

Valentine-Warren relayed that she met Green the first week in her job when Green came in to get an Angel Tree tag to buy presents for local children at Christmastime and their friendship blossomed from there.

“The Salvation Army fosters community and fellowship. I know how it all gets done, you, the volunteers, that make it all happen,” Green said to the award recipients. “Thank you for being the change in someone’s life.”

Valentine-Warren presented Salvation Army Fitchburg Corps Advisory Board Secretary and longtime EDS volunteer Carrie Bloom with a congratulatory citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for her “unwavering dedication” and thanked Paul Gauvin, who has been the board chair for three decades.

“We are always looking for more members,” Valentine-Warren said. “Working together is success.”

She also announced that they are well on their way to building a brand-new Salvation Army Fitchburg Corps headquarters to replace the aging one on Water Street. Valentine-Warren said they are around $447,000 shy of raising the needed $2 million toward the $5 million needed, with the Salvation Army national organization contributing the remaining $3 million.

“I am very proud to say we are very close,” she said. “It is my dream that when we do our opening that guys would be present.”

When she called out for a round of applause for the hardworking advisory board members, someone shouted out, “We love you, Lynnette!”

“I love you guys too,” she responded.

This comes on the heels of the beloved and well-respected female leader receiving a special honor of her own — the 2025-2026 Grand Lodge Order of Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for outstanding and meritorious service to humanity.

Valentine-Warren emphasized that it’s important to remember that while the Salvation Army is most visible during the holidays, “the Salvation Army red shield is present in the community, 365 days a year.”

“So many people do not know it’s not just a Red Kettle and a thrift store, it’s so much more,” she said following the event. “We do our annual volunteer dinner to extend our appreciation to all the volunteers who helped throughout the year to make a difference in our community and it’s our way of saying thanks for giving.”