Former Mat-Su Valley Corps Officers Provide Hope to Struggling Family for Christmas
The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps Former Captains Share Christmas Meal with Local Family
The Salvation Army is known to help put gifts under the tree and food on the table for families in need, but what if there was no tree or a home to cook dinner? Wherever there is need, The Salvation Army will be there to help meet that need. That is what happened when a family of four, living in a local motel in Palmer, sought help on Christmas Day.
“I pretty much Googled for help with Christmas gifts for kids and The Salvation Army came up (on my search). I emailed and (Captain) Jeff replied on Christmas Day. He asked me if we wanted to come over for dinner. We had nowhere to go for Christmas dinner because stores and restaurants were closed, and we didn’t have the money,” recounted Brooke Schalavin. “It says a lot about someone’s character when they are willing to open up their house to...strangers.”
“We were able to host the family at our house for a nice Christmas dinner,” said Captain Josephson. “After Christmas dinner, Brooke and my wife, Captain Michelle, went out to gather toys for her children.”
“My kids…it turned the whole day around for them,” Brooke told The Salvation Army.
Brooke and her family were staying in a rundown local motel after they were evicted from their apartment for late rent payment.
“It was horrible but was all I could afford. For instance, I was propositioned by two men who thought I was a prostitute and I am sure there were drugs there. I felt very unsafe there with my kids,” she said. “They (The Salvation Army) were able to help us move to a nicer hotel and it was much better. I felt like my family was safe there.”
Since Christmas, Brooke and her partner, David, have been working with The Salvation Army to secure permanent housing for their family.
“The Salvation Army has been wonderful and really helped my family a lot,” said Brooke who amidst a stressful day of searching for housing and picking up her kids from care, felt the need to give thanks to The Salvation Army for helping when no one else would.
In February 2019, we welcome Majors Kevin and Tina Bottjen, who managed The Salvation Army in Hoonah, to The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley. Captains Josephson will take over management in Hoonah.