MARYSVILLE – With four boys under age 5, no wonder the new leaders of the Salvation Army want to see its version of the Scouts program grow.
Lts. Ruairi and Sarah Ward took over the organization recently. Speaking to the Marysville Kiwanis Club Wednesday, Ward talked about many of its programs. It’s not just bell-ringing and red kettles at Christmastime.
One of the least-known is the Troops Youth Program, which like the Scouts allows kids to earn badges. He said about 25 boys and girls in kindergarten through 12th grade are part of the program. It goes from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at 7227 44th Ave. NE. Dinner is provided, along with bus transportation for those who need it. “They’re full of life before and after. We try to be role models…,” he said, adding doing what others might be doing may not be a better way of life.
Participants earn badges by doing a wide range of things. “It’s about character building,” Ward said. Other programs are more well-known.
It offers meals for those in need – breakfast Tuesdays and Thursdays and dinners Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “We’re seeing an uptick in numbers,” Ward said.
It also offers Sunday school and church at 11 a.m., with a bible study Thursday nights. It also offers an emotional support group for women Tuesdays and a coed group Wednesdays.
This is the fourth year for the Salvation Army in Marysville, and the need keeps growing, serving 2,000 people last year. Most are from Marysville, but others are from Smokey Point, Arlington and Tulalip. “We don’t turn people away,” he said.
Ward knows many other people and groups in the community also help the poor. So he is trying to reach out and work with them.
“We don’t want to duplicate services,” he said. “Let’s pool our resources.”
They have been working with the Marysville Police Department on its new embedded social worker program. “Often they don’t have anybody,” he said of the homeless.
Salvation Army also provides rental assistance to try to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. “Life happens and paying rent can be difficult,” he said.
It helps with shelter, clothing and energy assistance. It provides support services to groups like the American Red Cross during local disasters, such as the Oso slide.
Ward grew up in Ireland, went to college there, and got a degree in theology. “I was called by God to be a pastor,” he said.
He met his wife to be, Sarah, from Spokane, at a Salvation Army summer camp near Eatonville. After deciding on the Salvation Army as a career, they went for two years to the College of Officer Training in California. They have since bounced around, but three of the five years were in San Francisco.
Ward explained that the Salvation Army got its start in England in 1965 when William Booth decided to help the poorest 10 percent, whom he thought were kept in poverty by alcohol.
“Soup, soap and salvation” became the theme, Ward said. “It was a holistic approach to helping people.”
Most Salvation Army funding comes from the Red Kettle campaign, but it also receives other donations. Ward plans to apply for grants, too.
“Christmastime is when the Salvation Army comes to the forefront with its donations of toys, food and clothes,” he said.
Volunteers do most of the bell ringing, but the Salvation Army sometimes has to hire some of the people it helps to fill the gaps.
“That gives them extra cash for the season,” he said.
Ward said he knows some people get annoyed by the bell ringing. But he has an answer for them.
“We ring the bell for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” he said. “They have no Christmas, no anything. That’s more annoying.”
Fundraising dinner
The Salvation Army of Marysville and Tulalip will have a Fundraiser Dinner Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at The Grove Church, 4705 Grove St.
Cost is $25. There will be a drawing and dessert dash. Sponsors are being sought, as are donations of items or services. Call 360-926-2228.
