December For The CSB

In my last post I indicated that the CSB won't be together again until January 8, 2008. It occurs to me that some of you may be wondering why the long layoff and what are we doing in the interim?

As many of you may realize, the CSB is a secondary obligation for members. In addition to the regular day jobs we hold we are expected to be active in our local Salvation Army church or as we call it, corps. For most of us that means that in addition to playing in the CSB we are playing in our local church brass band. Many of us are also sing in church choirs, lead Bible study groups, participate on church boards and a myriad of other church related activities.

Once upon a time the CSB was very busy during the month of December. However, when Bandmaster Himes took the band 30 years ago he quickly realized that the activities of the CSB in December were interfering with the ability of the bandsmen and women to keep up with the service required of them in their local Salvation Army churches during the busiest time of the year for the Salvation Army. So, he began to reduce the activities of the band to the point that we are today where we play our annual Thanksgiving concert on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and then don't return to the CSB until after the first of the new year.

This break allows CSB members to participate in local Salvation Army Christmas activities that vary widely. You may find us visiting residents in local nursing homes, standing on a street corner at the familiar Salvation Army kettle, visiting inmates at a local correctional facility, participating in toy shop and food basket distribution centers and many other activities. But, don't look for us in our CSB uniforms. We'll just be blending in with the many volunteers the Salvation Army relies on at this time of year.

Could you be one of those volunteers? Should you be one of those volunteers? If you could/should, don't hesitate... call your local Salvation Army office today and get involved!