NEIGHBORS

Glendale Salvation Army fiesta lunch raises more than $20,000

(Submitted Photo/Salvation Army Glendale Corps)

Newly named Glendale Corps Advisory Board lifetime members Steve Frate, second from left and Yvonne Knaack, second from right, receive their plaques during the Glendale Corps' Fiesta of Hope luncheon Oct. 21. They are flanked on the left by Glendale Corps Major Ellen Oh and on the right by Glendale Corps Major David Oh.

(Submitted Photo/Salvation Army Glendale Corps)

Keynote speaker Bryan Coe shares his story during the Glendale Corps of the Salvation Army Fiesta of Hope luncheon Oct. 21.

(Submitted Photo/Salvation Army Glendale Corps)

John Suh, center, was honored as the 2025 bell ringing winner by the Glendale Corps of the Salvation Army at its Oct. 21 luncheon. Glendale Corps Major Ellen Oh is on his left and Glendale Corps Major David Oh is on his right.

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2026 2:23 pm

The Glendale Corps of the Salvation Army held its annual civic luncheon Oct. 21 at the Glendale campus, 6010 W Northern Ave.

This year’s theme, Fiesta of Hope, featured Mexican food with accompanying décor. Each year at the luncheon, the Glendale Corps welcomes city leaders and dignitaries as well as community leaders.

The luncheon is a fundraiser and highlights the mission of the Salvation Army — preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs.

The event raised $22,000 — money that will be used all year to support Glendale Corps outreach programs like Christmas presents and school supplies for needy children, along with utility, food, and other assistance to individuals in Glendale.

Bryan Coe, co-owner and vice president of development Unhooked Recovery in Mesa, was the keynote speaker. Coe shared his story about how services provided by the Salvation Army brought him off the streets and helped him overcome substance addiction.

Steve Frate and Yvonne Knaack, with 25 and 20 years of respective service to the Glendale Corps, were recognized as advisory board lifetime members. 2025 Red Kettle Bell Ringing awards were presented to John Suh and the Glendale Kiwanis Club who raised, respectively, $10,086 and $3,682 during last year’s holiday campaign.

Arrowhead Towne Center, Walmart No. 3241, Glendale Firefighters Charities, and the Glendale Police Department were recognized for their support of Salvation Army community projects.

Several organizations and individuals sponsored tables including Ron Swartz Construction, Jernigan Consulting, The Salvation Army Glendale Home League, Administer of Justice, SRP (Agua Fria Generating Station), The Glendale Fraternal Order of Police, CORE Construction, Credit Union West, Glendale Community College, True Sense, the Glendale City Council, Glendale Police and Fire, Glendale Firefighters Charities, the Glendale Law Enforcement Association, Kiwanis Glendale, Rotary Club of Glendale, Century 21 Northwest, Yvonne Knaack, Jeffrey Alloway, Kelly Popovich, The Salvation Army Korean Ministry and Steve Frate.