MARYSVILLE — In the month since they’ve opened, the new offices of the Salvation Army in Marysville have already picked up the local branch’s traditional practices of Wednesday night dinners, serving an average of 40 people each. It also looks forward to offering music for young people every Friday night.
Michelle Rutherford, one of the ministry leaders for the Salvation Army in Marysville with her husband, Gene, noted that the local Safeway has pledged to donate pastries every Tuesday.
The Salvation army is a Christian church and charity organization, and its offices at 7227 44th Ave. NE in Marysville are open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays by appointment. They were officially dedicated by city dignitaries Oct. 18.
Marysville City Council member Donna Wright noted that the Salvation Army had already logged 1,200 volunteer hours, dished up 1,500 hot meals and served 1,780 people in the Marysville-Tulalip community, whose needs she deemed great.
“We’ve appreciated their efforts so much, and with this new facility, we know we can expect even more,” Wright said.
Salvation Army Lt. Col. Harold Brodin credited Alissa Jones with offering local after-school programs through the group.
“The kids just love her,” Brodin said.
Major Doug Tollerud, Northwest Division Commander for the Salvation Army, recalled how he met his wife over cups of Salvation Army coffee in Anchorage, Alaska.
“It changes lives,” Tollerud said. “You see these folks on the corner, holding up signs, and they want to get off the street. Sharing a cup of coffee with them can be the start of the recovery process.”
Gene Rutherford expressed his appreciation to the city and community for helping the Salvation Army move into its new offices.
“There’s a group of people to whom I want to say, I love you, even though I’ve only known some of you for a very short time,” Rutherford said. “Bring your friends here. Bring your enemies. We don’t care. We want them all. If you don’t have a church, we want this to be your church.”
