The Salvation Army Club

The motto of the Salvation Army, "Sharing is Caring," applies well to the Salvation Army Family Store in Fairbanks. On a recent fall day, along with the first snow of the season, three MASST participants gathered with Capt. Jon Tollerud, store manager Penny Turnbull, and three other volunteers. The crew was reorganizing the entire thrift store, closed for the week, for a grand reopening in October. It was clear that they had already done loads of work over the past weeks and months. Winter was coming to Alaska, but the Farthest North Salvation Army was ready for it.

MASST stands for Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training. MASST is a community service employment program for seniors, 55 and older, supporting them in their journey toward unsubsidized employment. The program provides an average of 20 hours of training at government and nonprofit agencies, paying the participants $15 an hour. Participants learn new skills and provide vital community service. They support the important work of scores of organizations across the state. MASST is part of the state Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

In many Alaska communities, the Salvation Army is a stalwart host agency for the MASST program. When we think of the Salvation Army, we probably imagine the red kettles outside businesses during the holiday season, but the organization's year-round programs go far beyond the ringing of Christmas bells for donations. Active worldwide, the Salvation Army has programs for disaster response, social services, casework and counseling, youth services, veteran services, prison services, religious services, Christmas programs, and much more. In Fairbanks, the Corps officers supervise the distribution of vouchers for clothing and household goods, bus tokens, and emergency food boxes. That's in addition to leading weekly Sunday school and worship services at the Salvation Army Community Center, at 1602 10th Ave.

Since June 2023, I've had the privilege and pleasure of working with the Fairbanks Corps officers, Capt. Jon Tollerud and Capt. Rosanna Tollerud. Jon notes that the volunteers at the thrift store, at 2222 S. Cushman St., are doing hard work to help people in the community, and the store can help people transform their lives just by being able to afford good products that help them better their lives. The quality of clothing and household goods contributes to families most affected by tough shifts in the current economy. Jon and Rosie know personally about need and about how meaningful the thrift store can be in a community. Eight years together in the ministry, they are committed to breaking down boundaries and changing the mentality of the people they serve.

The three MASST participants laugh when they call themselves "The Salvation Army Club," but there is a nice feel of a team when they work side by side, sorting clothing and getting it ready for display and sale. Gerilyn comments that the joy of the store is the laid-back atmosphere and sense of low-pressure cooperation. Laura, who faced considerable age discrimination in recent job searches, appreciates the respect shown by the supervisors and co-workers. Marylee loves the variety of people, both shoppers and staff. All three members of the Club agree that the feeling that you are accomplishing something, that you are back out in the community and being useful, is priceless. For me, the pearl is watching the three of them together, getting to know one another better and watching out for each other. They are building stamina and learning skills, four or five hours a day, for themselves and for others.

Penny, the store manager for the past year, is constantly moving through the three big spaces of the store, juggling projects and helping everyone knock out the tasks they are assigned in the morning. The morning of my visit, the crew was focused on getting the front room ready for customers. And while the goals are important, how they work together to achieve them is equally significant. The Club notes that Penny and Jon acknowledge their work and appreciate their efforts. The supervisors, in turn, say that the volunteers and MASST participants "keep us moving" and help both the thrift store and the community. The give-and-take is active and generous.

That may be another way to understand the motto "Sharing is Caring." The Salvation Army Family Store shows how the supervisors, staff, and MASST participants share the load and care for one another. They are working together in acts of reciprocity and mutual regard. They make a team. The team includes all those folks, and it also includes the shoppers who benefit from the offerings at the thrift store. It includes community members who give to the Salvation Army with donations of all kinds. It even reaches people who never consider walking into the store.

Teamwork is a powerful force. So powerful, you might find yourself walking outside on a dark, cold winter day in Alaska and say, "We're a team!"

Jim Warren is in his third year as MASST coordinator for Northern and Interior regions, based in Fairbanks.