GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey (ret), former White House Drug Czar, will spotlight the Salvation Army of Kent County as a national model, celebrate veterans, and speak at the organization's Celebrating Our Veterans Event at 7PM Thursday, May 14, where over 300 people will attend.  The dinner will be at Steelcase Town Hall.

On Thursday, Gen. McCaffrey will also tour the Kroc Center Facility, the Turning Point Programs, the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, meet with Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, have a VIP reception and a public reception at Steelcase Town Hall, before the 7 PM dinner. On Wednesday, May 13, Gen. McCaffrey will participate in a leadership dinner (the public dinner major event is May 14).

Media is welcome at all points except private meetings and is particularly encouraged to cover the Thursday, May 14 major dinner address, the highlight of the visit.

From 6:30-8:30 AM Thursday, the General and Major Norman Grainger, Salvation Army Kent County Coordinator and Divisional Secretary, will be jointly available for media telephone interviews.

General McCaffrey thanks Colonel Richard Dorsey, The Salvation Army Divisional Planned Giving Director, for inviting him, and Roger Snider, Public Relations and Communications Director, for outstanding organization of events.  General McCaffrey is taking no fee for participating.

General McCaffrey said that he is coming because "The Salvation Army of Kent County is a national model of service to help others. The numbers they help are staggering. During last summer's tornadoes, they helped over 2800 people with emergency disaster services. As a place of refuge, attendance at the Fulton Heights Corps Community Center topped 25,000 individuals last year. The Salvation Army's Emergency Food Pantry provided 5600 households in 2014 with emergency food resources.  They gave 3500 households community resources for stable housing. The Prenatal and Family Health Clinic provided 600 individuals with OB/GYN services, physicals, family health care, and well-child exams. The Little Pine Camp and Retreat provides life-changing experiences for 800 kids each year, of which 75% live below the poverty line.  "Turning Point" programs helped 800 individuals break the cycle of addiction last year alone.  And since the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center opened just five years ago, 24,000 members have been served by life-changing spiritual, educational, and wellness experiences."

"To celebrate our veterans, and to point to those amazing services which The Salvation Army of Kent County provides and supports, are why I am coming," McCaffrey said.

Events open to the media include:

Wednesday, May 13
7:00 p.m. / VIP Dinner (Location: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids 49503) (Media availability only before event. Note the major dinner public event is May 14)).

Thursday, May 14
7AM – 8:00 a.m. / Media Telephone Interviews (contact Bob Weiner 202-306-1200 or 202-329-    1700): General McCaffrey joined by Major Norman Grainger, Salvation Army Kent   County Coordinator and Divisional Secretary. Media interested call Bob, or email     weinerpublic@comcast.net

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. / Kroc Center Facility Tour: The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps          Community Center, 25000 Division Avenue South, Grand Rapids 49507
10:00 -- 10:30 a.m. / SpartanNash, 850 76^th Street SW, Grand Rapids 49518
11:00-11:45 a.m. / Turning Point Programs: 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids 49503
12:00 -1:30 p.m. / Grand Rapids Home for Veterans BBQ Lunch, Bingo and Facilities Tour:          3000 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
2:00 p.m. / Grand Rapids Mayor Visit (Mayor George Heartwell), City Hall, 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids 49503
5:30 p.m. / General McCaffrey arrives at Steelcase Town Hall, 1111 44^th St SE, Grand Rapids 49508
6:00 p.m. / VIP Reception (Location: Steelcase Town Hall)
6:30 p.m. / Public Reception (Location: Steelcase Town Hall)
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. /CELEBRATING OUR VETERANS Dinner (Location: Steelcase Town Hall)

Contact: Bob Weiner 301-283-0821, cell 202-306-1200 weinerpublic@comcast.net

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates and The Salvation Army of Kent County