Salvation Army officer offers hope, help to the needy

She wears a white uniform and carries the title of Major, but the army she belongs to does not wage war in distant lands or secure borders. Instead, Major Mary Holmes of the Salvation Army fights a different kind of battle -- one against poverty, homelessness and local crime.

For officers like Holmes, the Salvation Army is more than a job. It's a lifelong career and a religious calling.

This church, which was founded in 1852 by William Booth, is run by trained, commissioned officers like Holmes, who run the day-to-day ministry and social services.

For Holmes, that means overseeing all of the Salvation Army operations in Highlands County.

"I pastor at the church. I preach on Sundays," she said with a warm smile that belies the amount of responsibility she holds. Holmes also oversees all of the fundraising, social services, corrections department and thrift store.

The best part about her job: the kids.

"I like working with youth. I like their openness, their willingness to learn and readiness to learn," said Holmes, who has a grown son of her own studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

In fact, besides reading light mystery novels, Holmes' favorite pastime is working with the Salvation Army youth summer camps.

"I love doing the summer Girl Guard camps, especially the unstructured time. (The kids) will talk with you and open up to you."

The hardest part about her job is the social services, "because we can't help everyone with everything, and you have to make tough calls," said Holmes soberly.

The "corps," as she called it, distributes government food commodities as well as runs a supplemental food pantry, offers financial assistance and planning, and works with other agencies to help meet needs.

"The nice thing about Highlands County is that the agencies try to work together," said Holmes, referring to organizations such as Highlands Human Services, St. Vincent de Paul, the Children's Advocacy Center and the Sebring Ministerial Association.

The corrections side of the Salvation Army is also a key differentiator from most other churches. Holmes and her staff ensure that criminals who have committed a misdemeanor and are put on probation through the Salvation Army take the necessary classes, complete their community service and pay any fees.

Holmes has plenty of experience in her field, having grown up in the Salvation Army congregation and signing on as an officer in 1991 along with her late husband Jerry.

The couple opened a corps in DeLand and were later posted in Key West for seven years, Fort Pierce for two, and finally Sebring in 2003.

As far as current events in this community, Holmes said that fundraising has been maintained even during these difficult economic times.

"We're behind in mail appeals, but kettles were up. This is a pretty generous community," she said. However, Holmes has seen some of her regular donors turn into clients. "People who donated last year came in for help this year," she added.

When asked what her New Year's wish is, Holmes did not hesitate.

"Enough funds to build a church community center," she said. "We have the property and the dream on paper." That dream includes a large outdoor area and gymnasium for the youth programs as well as a fellowship hall/chapel.

Currently, the corps is using a location off the Sebring Circle, which does not have a yard or area for sports.

Holmes also sees an enormous need for a homeless shelter. She mentioned that the New Testament mission is the only option for the area right now. "As we grow, that's something I'd like to do," said Holmes.

Also, the Salvation Army is always in need of a good influx of garden-variety volunteerism for jobs like sorting thrift store donations, answering phones, and managing food commodities, said Holmes.

The Salvation Army office and thrift store is located on Kenilworth Avenue in downtown Sebring and can be reached at 385-7548, Ext. 100.