(Editor’s note: The Daily Herald continues its Top Ten countdown of the most important local news stories of 2004. The series will continue each day the newspaper is published until the Number One story, as chosen by the Herald staff.)
The Tyrone Salvation Army Worship and Service Center shut its doors to the Tyrone community on June 30, 2004, forcing Major Karen Garrett to travel to Ridgway for her new assignment with the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander, Lt. Colonel Joseph DeMichael said at the time, “While we are saddened to close our doors at this current location, we will continue our public service in an alternate venue.
“Because Tyrone has a smaller volunteer base and no advisory board, a service unit is a practical alternative,” explained Lt. Colonel DeMichael. “We want our donor dollars to be spent as wisely as possible. Raising funds within Tyrone has always been challenging.
“We would prefer to use those limited resources for direct assistance, rather than spend them on operations and staffing. We are now in the process of developing the community volunteer base for the local Service Unit.”
Members of the Tyrone church were welcomed to worship at the Huntingdon and Altoona Salvation Army Worship and Service Centers.
“We are deeply grateful for the support that the people of Tyrone have shown to us,” said Lt. Colonel DeMichael. “The Salvation Army stands behind its promise to meet human needs in the name of Jesus Christ. It is our mission, and it is exactly what we will do within these communities.”
After the announcement of the closing of the Tyrone Area Salvation Army building, many were worried that services would not continue for those in need in the area.
Those worries were put to rest when Bob Maser, Reverend Norman Huff and LeVonne Angelo, all of Tyrone, spearheaded the organization of the Tyrone Area Salvation Army in the form of a service unit.
What this means is the Salvation Army still offers the same services to those in need in the Tyrone area, which includes Tyrone, Bellwood and Warriors Mark. The only difference is the religious services are no longer available and that an actual Salvation Army building no longer exists.
The local service unit is currently up and running, with headquarters at the Tyrone Social Center. Angelo, secretary for the Wesley United Methodist Church and Tyrone Food Bank chairperson, is the volunteer to write vouchers for those in need in the Tyrone area.
Vouchers can be used for necessities, such as food, clothing, gas or to offer help in paying a bill. A voucher is written for a money amount to be given to a specific vendor.
Those who request vouchers must reach certain income guidelines to qualify for the service. Individuals are eligible for vouchers four times a year.
The food distribution the Salvation Army once handled is now channeled through the Tyrone Food Bank, held at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Thursdays.
The Christmas toy distribution is continuing as well as the annual Christmas kettle drives. Eighty percent of the money raised through the kettles goes directly back into the Tyrone community.
The annual winter coat and boot drive also continues, with the help of the Tyrone Kiwanis Club.
The volunteer chairpersons are those who keep the Salvation Army services organized, and Rev. Huff and Maser filled those positions. The human service secretary is the person who will write out the vouchers, and Angelo filled that position.
The Tyrone Salvation Army Service Unit also has a post office box so that interested individuals may send correspondence, contributions and other information to P.O. Box 142, Tyrone, PA 16686.
The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division covers 28 counties. It operates 48 Worship and Service Centers that offer a full complement of social and spiritual support programs.
These facilities are headed by Salvation Army officers who are ordained ministers. Church services are held at these sites. The Division also has nine Service Centers. These locations are managed by a paid employee, supplemented by volunteers and deliver human service assistance.
Service Units are strictly voluntary and can be located within a community church, police station or business.
Currently, there are 125 Salvation Army Service Units within the Western PA Division. Similar to a Service Center, a Service Unit offers basic social services within a community. However, the location may change depending upon volunteer and building availability.
Both a church and a social service organization, the Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.
Today it provides critical services in 109 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western PA Division serves thousands of needy families annually through a wide variety of diverse support programs. This year, the Salvation Army is celebrating its 125th year in the United States. To learn more about the Salvation Army in Western PA, visit www.salvationarmy-wpa.org.
