LOGAN — Two new officers, who both have ties to this area, have been assigned to head up the Salvation Army ministry in Logan, Boone and Mingo counties.
Lts. Ryan and Emily Vincent are newlyweds who moved to Chapmanville in June of this year. The couple are most recently from Atlanta, Ga., though Ryan grew up in the Salvation Army ministry and the family moved around. Being from the South, both are beginning to understand the challenge of icy roads and cold weather in this area.
Ryan’s grandfather, Capt. Charles White, once served in Logan. Emily’s grandfather, Lt. Thomas Richmond, served in Williamson. The couple say they have met people who knew their grandparents and tell stories of how their lives were touched by them.
“It is an honor to serve in the same ministry as our grandparents and an honor to serve in the same places they served,” said Emily. “We are so excited to be here.”
Ryan commented on his biggest disappointment since moving here. “People think the Salvation Army left Logan. We are going to work hard to rebuild a presence in this area.”
The Salvation Army has been in one of Logan’s historic buildings for more than 70 years. Ryan is looking for an office in Logan to house social services and also for a Thrift Shop. They are currently working with real estate agents to find the right locations.
They both say they have learned a lot since moving to the area.
“I have learned to be extra thrifty. I thought I was thrifty before, but now I am learning to stretch every penny,” said Ryan. “I have spent more time on the phone than I ever have. I have learned so much from the people I have met here and the stories I have heard.”
They are currently limited as to the services they can provide, but will expand as funding and resources become available. They have a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Chapmanville. The store is also where people can come for services such as emergency food.
One of the reasons they choose the Salvation Army is because the funding is location based. Almost all of the money (94 cents of every dollar) received in Logan is used in Logan. Even donations that come in from other cities to Logan are used in Logan.
The Salvation Army church in Logan has free breakfast every Sunday at 10 a.m. and a worship service at 11. Services for men and women are held on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. and a meeting including crafts and food for the youth at 6 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Thrift Store in Chapmanville is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A coat give away will take place Wed., Nov. 21 beginning at 10 a.m. and will continue until all the coats are gone.
They are set up to distribute food boxes, but the distribution for November and December will be the holiday packages.
The holiday season is their busiest. Some donation kettles will be popping up today; all of them will be out on Friday. This year if there aren’t enough volunteers to man the kettles, seven or eight people who are unemployed will be paid to fill in the gaps.
Walmart will have an angel tree where people can choose an angel and buy a gift for a child that won’t otherwise get gifts. Angels can also be adopted by church groups or individuals.
Today they will be distributing Thanksgiving food in both Logan and Williamson from 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon. The Christmas distribution will all be done at the Logan location Dec. 17 and 18. Nearly 500 families will receive food for the holidays.
There will also be a Thanksgiving dinner served in Logan on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
For more information, call 304-855-1767.
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