Presented to Mayor Sharie Minions and Port Alberni City Council, 15 June 2026, on the occasion of Majors Ramsay farewell to the community.
To view the video, click here from 50 minutes and 30 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHkRsDeJtO8
As you know my time in this community is nearing its conclusion. Each year, every Officer in The Salvation Army could receive a phone call telling them they have been assigned to a new community. This year we received that call.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Port Alberni, city staff and you, Mayor and Council for all of your support these past Eight years. Thank you
Thank you for allowing us and partnering with us to keep the (now John Douglas memorial) Polar Bear Swim going. Thank you for partnering with us to beautify the Redford Corner.
Thank you Mayor Minions for not only supporting our kids programs and camps but also sending your own children to our camps and even being a chaperone – even on the ferry - for the many children we send to camp from many different backgrounds and experiences. These children can be energetic, Thank you.
Thank you Mayor and Council for supporting our food outreach.
Thank you for your support during covid-19. When the world was locked down for its safety, we were able to bring food to people who would otherwise have none. The first few months of covid, people weren’t leaving their houses; so, we brought food, hygiene kits, and other supports to them. We had a large map of the city separated into dozens of delivery routes; members of council, along with many other groups and individuals helped us deliver food. You saved lives. Thank you.
When church was banned, and people in distress were prevented from receiving the emotional and spiritual care they needed, we were able to have sandwich church at the legion, where without breaking a single rule, we could not only offer emotional and spiritual support but also make sandwiches which we in turn brought to people in need in our community. Thank you.
We delivered food from the TSA mobile kitchen, food truck, we brought from Gibsons; we still partner with many agencies to serve nutritious and delicious meals to those in need in our community – especially seniors and the housing insecure. Many of you have served on the food truck. Thank you.
Many of you have served meals at the Bread of Life Centre helping us care for the most vulnerable. Thank you. Many of you have rung bells at the kettles and with your support, we were able to raise more resources than ever before help out the most vulnerable right here in our community, at Christmas. Thank you.
Thank you each for coming to our events, dinners and Christmas kick-offs. Thank you for your kind words of support that make it possible for us to inspire and equip even more volunteers. Thank you.
Thank you for your support every year at all the Remembrance Day and other Legion events. And thank you Mayor Minions for the obvious care and thought that you pit into your remarks each year. Thank you.
You also helped us set up the only dry, clean shelter in our community. This was especially important during covid. We had some resources in town to care for those who could be around substances but we had none for the sober addict or others who couldn’t or didn’t want to be around substance use. You helped us make it possible to take care of everyone who was in need of shelter. Thank you.
And now through your ongoing support, last year alone we were able to place 24 people in homes of their own. These are 24 people who were living on the streets who are now safe. Thank you.
When weather was dangerous, we were able to open a warming centre and a cooling centre; members of council and staff worked with us during road closures. You signed MOUs around Emergency Disaster Services with us and Emergency Support Services. Thank you
We were able to keep the Bread of Life open when it looked like it was coming to an end – it is so important to our community. Just before covid struck The Salvation Army was able to invest time, money, and people into the centre so it not only survived but thrived. And continues to this day serving more than 700 meals each and every day and providing a safe place for people to be 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thank you so much.
We were privileged to support the city and other local fire departments by sending our food truck, food and water, and other care during long engagements – fire, flood, road closures, evacuations. Thank you.
We helped people during strikes, and other challenges in our community; we have been there everyday with all our community partners serving this community. Thank you to all the agencies and businesses we work with on a daily basis. This community is better because we do all work together. Thank you.
Mayor and Council, we have done so much more together. We have served the most vulnerable members of our community every day of the eight years, 2 council terms, that I personally have been blessed to serve this community. I know that the next council will continue to work very well with the next Salvation Army Officer, Captain Sharon Tidd, to serve this community but I would be remiss if I didn’t take this chance to thank you personally for all your support and all that you have done during my time here in Port Alberni. Thank you so much. Together we have made a difference.
Sincerely,
Major Michael Ramsay
CO, TSA Alberni Valley Ministries
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