New Salvation Army Vero Beach Lieutenants Heather and Jonathan “Jay” Needham are hoping to get an early jump-start on their recruitment efforts for Red Kettle bell duty. They were helped in that endeavor at a VIP reception to introduce them to the community, held last Wednesday at the Harbor Community Bank Cardinal Drive location and hosted by location manager Karl Steene, residential loan officer Amy Speak and financial consultant Dan Gaines.
The Needhams relocated from Fort Myers on June 20, their two small children, Griffin and Harper, in tow. The family had once previously worked on a mission with local youth at the Vero Beach campus on 27th Avenue, so they have been able to hit the ground running.
“We know what it can be and what we can do,” said Jay Needham enthusiastically, noting that the Salvation Army brand is “Doing the most good, for the most people, where there is the most need.” “That is on our hearts by the calling of God where we have been appointed. We are excited about the future here.”
The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian-based ministry that serves the less fortunate in times of crisis, when they are hungry, need human comforts, or are looking for spiritual support. Its Mobile Feeding Canteen Program is considered one of its most important functions, providing food to 15,000 local residents annually. Many homeless, homebound and retired or disabled veterans receive much needed meals from its food trucks.
The young couple is hopeful about the future and ready to get to work. “We just know we want to get out there in the community and rebuild the church while we meet people in the community and get the SA’s name out there,” said Heather Needham.
Jeff Smith, IRC clerk of the court and SA advisory board chairman, calls the Needhams “real go-getters.” He hopes that their first order of business will be a new thrift shop to generate operating expense revenue.
“Since even before we got here all we ever heard about was this thrift store,” said Jay Needham to groaning and laughter from attendees. “It was ‘oh, the thrift store,’ and ‘you have to do something about the thrift store.’ So that is priority one even if we have to kick down some doors at HQ in Atlanta to get that moving. We want to get in a great new place and maybe even open a second location in North County with social services help.”
“The [food] truck goes out every day, and that is our pride and joy, but we want to expand that program,” said Smith. “The board is actively trying to get a capital campaign going so we can help more people and add more programs.”
“Soup, Soap and Salvation is our mission,” said John Corapi, SA director of development. “People need faith but they cannot think about God, work or anything else when their stomachs are empty.”
“My wife and I are here to make a new progress,” said Needham. “Whatever has happened in the past, the old is gone. We are here to make a fresh start and we are excited.”
