November 10, 2025 • 29 mins
Major Marcus Jugenheimer serves as Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, overseeing programs and services across 28 counties. A lifelong Salvationist ordained in 1994, he most recently served as General Secretary of The Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division and has also held key leadership roles in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ohio. Alongside his wife, Major Joy Jugenheimer, he is focused on expanding community partnerships, strengthening local outreach, and leading the annual Red Kettle Campaign to help neighbors in need throughout Western Pennsylvania.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hi, Welcome in. This is the CEOs You Should Know Podcast.
My name is Johnny Heartwell your host. My guest today
is the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania and its new
divisional Commander, Major Marcus Juggenheimer. Did I pronounce the name correctly?
You did? Great? Johnny and Nicole Herald Director of PR
and Marketing. I've known Nicole for quite a few years.
(00:25):
This is the first time you've actually joined us in
the conversation. Goodie, good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning. Yeah, our fourth Christmas together. I think I
love that.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
All right, Major, tell me everything we need to know
about just being the new commander and what are some
of your goals and what are some of the things
you have coming up in the holiday season.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Well, at the Salvation Army, we continue to provide heart
to God and hand to man, and during this season,
we're looking forward to continuing those services to meet both
the most basic human needs for those in the Western
Pennsylvania Venua area, but also to bring the hope in
the light of the season. And so we do that
(01:06):
through the services that we provide the congregational ministries, the
programs that we offer to children and seniors throughout the
twenty eight western counties of Western Pennsylvania. And really we're
looking at this season is also the time.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
To resource that mission, okay, and this is the time
of year for the Kettle campaign, So what do you
have planned for that?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So this year we're looking to outpace our goal of
last year where we raised two point two million dollars.
We're looking to raise two point three million dollars through
the kettles this year. And those funds stay local to
support our neighbors in need in our local communities. And
so we encourage those when you see the kettle out
(01:51):
at the shopping marts and the different stores and throughout
the community to give generously to help their neighbors in need.
But we also know that sometimes we don't have money
in our pockets, and sometimes weather gets in the way,
and so there are some other opportunities to give. Individuals
can give simply by texting the word kettle k E
(02:13):
T T L E to three one three three three,
or can go to our website and provide support there
through Salvation Army WPA dot org.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
There you go. You know, this is our first time
meeting and so I really want to get to know you.
So how did you what your When did you start
with the Salvation Army?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
So I actually started with the Salvation Army as a volunteer.
I was fourteen years old and I was starting to
get in a little trouble, and so through mother appointed
community service, I ended up at a Salvation Army day
camp just about an hour west of here in Salem, Ohio.
Oh yeah, and volunteered there. Ended up starting to attend
(03:00):
the Salvation Army as my church there, And really the
rest is history.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Where did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Grew up in Salem, Ohio until I left for college.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
All right, So yeah, I used to live in Youngstown,
so I'm very familiar with Salem, Ohio. And so as
a teenager you started getting introduced to the to the
Salvation Army. What what drew you in? As not only
did they obviously they helped you, but what what made it?
What made it? What made you decided to make this
(03:32):
your vocation?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
So initially I volunteered again mother appointed community service, but
it was because she knew that I liked to make
an impact in the lives of others, and so the
Salvation Army from day one was a natural fit for me.
And so I really felt God's calling into this vocation
to be able to provide support and service to those
(03:55):
in need, whether that need be a basic physical need,
whether that be a child who has academic needs, whether
that be an individual who just needs a little hope
in their life.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Do you remember your first day or first week getting
working for you know, volunteering or whatever.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh, I do very clearly. I will say that the
Salvation Army officer pastor there was very gracious with me
because I could have probably been sent home within my
first week or two for some of my shenanigans at
at the day camp. But they were very gracious and
and you know, I got a little guidance on the
best ways to to conduct myself, which has been very
(04:39):
helpful throughout my life.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, I think I think that helps as a It
makes you a kind of a well rounded person. You
kind of can empathize and sympathize with people who who
who've had their share of shenanigans.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Absolutely absolutely and have had that opportunity. We have served
a lot of time in the New York City area
as well as Boston area, some in Connecticut, some in Ohio,
and everywhere we've gone have had the opportunity to speak,
particularly into the lives of teenagers who are trying to
(05:17):
find their way in life, trying to figure out who
they are. And so my story, my past has been
has provided me the opportunity to be able to understand
them a little better.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
You use the word we, I'm going to ask you
who is we? Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, I have the blessing and privilege to serve alongside
with my wife Joy. Her story with the Salvation Army
is very different. Her family has been in the Salvation
Army for six generations oh wow. And she's a fourth
generation Salvation Army officer. And so that goes back almost
to the beginning of the Salvation Army in eighteen sixty five.
(05:56):
And so she is not that ald is no, no, no, no,
She's a child of the regiment. And and we met
at the Salvation Army's Training College which is up in Suffer,
New York, and really fell in love right away. I
had to convince her as the man of her dreams.
That took a little while.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Okay, okay, So do you remember meeting Joy and who
talked to who? First?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, we had it was a visitation weekend and she
was there visiting and I was already there as a student,
and and a lot of people were trying to push
us together. And we met and it was it was
friendly and it was nice. But then we both went
our separate ways. But when she arrived that next fall
at the school, I quickly quickly fell in love and
(06:45):
h and again it took me. It took me a
little while to convince her, but she broke down the walls.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
All right, Marcus, tell me about the first date. Where'd
you go?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Well, the first date, I invited her to go out
and see a movie. I don't remember what the movie was,
but I do remember that after she said yes, she
went and asked her roommate to come along as well. Oh,
so it ended up being a group event rather than
just a date. But again, after building some trust, we
were able to go out on some dates just the
(07:16):
two of us.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
And had she worked at the Salvation Armor prior to
meeting you, I mean, did you when you dated? Let's
put all right, let me rephrase that. Did you work
separately in the Salvation Army or had you? Have you
always worked together?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
We both did some work with the Salvation Army. Hers
was mostly summer camps. Mine was summer day camps and
did a little work while I was in college running
a community center in Toledo, Ohio, and then when we
arrived there at the college and eventually met each other.
Since that time we have served together both as pastors
(07:56):
of local congregations and for the past about seven years
and administrative roles at divisional headquarters in Boston, New York City.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And well, I'm really looking forward to meeting her, and
I want to find her. I want to ask her
her version of the of the dating story, and you
can ask her.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
The right version, but first might different.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Little I got it all right. So you became the
the division commanders back in July. How did you happen
to come to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
The Salvation Army operates on an appointment basis, and so
we salute and go. We have served again, most recently
both in Boston and then New York City, as my
role was the second in command in those two locations,
and with the retirement of our predecessors, Majors Gregory and
(08:51):
Joyce Hartshorn, good friends of ours, we had the opportunity
to come here. And like I said, I'm an hour
from where I grew up. So this is a great opportunity.
I was saying to Joy the other day, I'm I'm
relearning the geography of my youth. All these places that
growing up seem so far away, I'm realizing are like
(09:12):
five or ten minutes from where I lived. Right that
perspective of a child getting in the car and just riding.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Or where did Joy grow up? And where did she
go to school?
Speaker 3 (09:22):
As the child of Salvation Army officers, she moved around
a lot of time. It's just like the real yeah,
real Army Connecticut and more upstate New York.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
A lot of the time. And where did she go
to school?
Speaker 3 (09:36):
So for college she went to Hoton College and then
also got her masters at.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So she if she went there, which if, for those
who don't know, that is just east of Buffalo. So
she's winters here in Pittsburgh are going to be a walk.
You're not going to bother her at not at all,
not at all. So all right, I want to I
want to know your impression of, you know, growing up
just north of Pittsburgh. Had you been to Pittsburgh before,
(10:04):
and what has been your impression since taking over here
in Pittsburgh for this particular division.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Remember as a child going to Kenny Wood, going to
the Pittsburgh Zoo, even back in the day, being able
to go to the Pittsburgh Airport and when we could
actually go into the gates and stuff and watch even
if you didn't have a flight. So I remember those days.
As far as coming back, we have just been so
blessed and so impressed by all the individuals that we've met.
(10:35):
There's great things happening in the Pittsburgh are There's great
things happening with the Salvation Army in this area. And
we work with a wonderful team of officers, employees, and
volunteers who are deeply invested in the Salvation Army's mission
and making lives better for those that we engage with.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
And I've been working here in Pittsburgh almost thirty years
and almost the jomp I've been working with the Salvation Army,
and I can't think of an organization that is more charitable,
more giving and modest in what they do for the community.
And it's almost I feel like it's my responsibility to
(11:16):
really let people know how much the Salvation Army does
for the community, and not just you know, everybody knows
the Kettle Campaign and should embrace that, and I encourage that,
and that's coming up in just a few weeks. But
that's just scratching the surface of what you guys provide
(11:36):
for the community. What are some of the things, what are
some of your priorities.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, certainly food insecurity continues to be a significant challenge.
There's this narrative that COVID happened and there was a
spike in need and then it dropped out. Reality is,
the need has remained very high, higher than it was
pre COVID. The resources have dropped down, and that's where
(12:01):
the challenge is for the Salvation Army and a lot
of our other fellow not for profits that are trying
to stretch the dollar even for their to help more individuals.
And so food and security continues to be a significant
focus that we have for myself. Youth programming, engaging young people,
(12:23):
particularly teenagers, to try to help give them guidance and
structure to life. And I think there's a lot of
wonderful technologies that have been added to a society since
we were teenagers.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
It certainly makes life challenging.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
But they also bring with them challenges and a dark
side and helping and helping teens to get engaged outside
of those technologies and learn to function on a level
that to help them prepare them for life, life and work.
(13:02):
And so those those are some of the passions that
that I have. Much of the focus right now is
really on how we resource that mission, and so through
the Kettle effort, through the contributions online, these these enable
us to be able to reach out and provide these
(13:23):
services along with our emergency disaster services, which is which
makes such an impact, especially in this area. And we
have a great team in our Emergency Disaster services and
right now we are are working on equipping the front
lines to help be prepared for when that disaster strikes,
whether it's a regional disaster, whether it's a single house
(13:45):
fire for that for those impacted, that is a crisis
and the Salvation Army can be there to stand in
the gap for them.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
You started out in youth services as a camp counselor.
Is that kind of the reason why you kind of
prioritize that kind of mission here in Pittsburgh. Initially you
mentioned in the cattle campaign and then immediately went to
some of the youth services. Is that just something that
is that's been ingrained in you for for decades. That
(14:16):
is such a.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Pivotal time in anyone's life. And I was very fortunate
my best friend at the time that I was getting
in trouble with my mother made me go to volunteer
at the Salvation Army. And the way that our paths
(14:36):
went in different directions was a very star contrast. And
he's no longer with us as a result of a
lot of the decisions that he made, And so it
was a I look at that and say, there, but
by the grace of God go I and I had
(14:59):
an o opportunity to engage in something that put me
on the path to a more productive life, a more
healthy life, a more fulfilling life. And I'm grateful that
I had that opportunity and that the Salvation Army was
that vehicle for me.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Well, tell me more about your calling for me.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I really felt a call to serve people as in
a pastoral ministry, so not only serving the physical but
the spiritual and the emotional needs. And as the Salvation
Army was the only church that I've ever known, I've
ever been a part of, it was a natural that
it would be as an officer in the Salvation Army,
and we have my wife Jo and I have two
(15:42):
two beautiful daughters that are now twenty eight and twenty five,
and we've seen the positive impact that they've had over
their life as being connected with the Salvation Army and
the way that they're flourishing in their vocations now following
their callings, which are different than what Joy and I had,
(16:03):
but it's it has been a place for all of
my family now to be able to really explore and
dive into to what God has for us.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
All Right, Joy is not here, she's your wife. Is
there any particular focus that she has? Is there something
that she wants to accomplish now that she's she's been
here in Pittsburgh for.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Joy, she has her focus really is on the care
of our officers are pastors around at the thirty five
worship and service centers that we have, and so her
focus really is pouring into them, loving on them, being
a pastor to the pastors, and that is really something
that has been a calling on her life. And we've
(16:52):
had some opportunities to do that previously on smaller levels,
but here it's a great opportunity and so her focus
really is more internal there, strengthening those who are on
the front lines providing that service day in and day out.
And we all know that the more you're bearing the
(17:13):
burdens of others, that way can get heavy, and so
that is much of her focus as trying to help
lighten that load for them.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
I mentioned earlier how important the Salvation Army has been
to the Pittsburgh region. You talked about food, insecurity and
youth services, and you have so many other programs, but
you can't have those programs without funding them, and that's
why you have the Kettle campaign. And let's talk about
(17:43):
some of those fundraisers, and let's talk about the Kettle
campaign and how important it is to fund some of
these programs.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Certainly, the Red Kettle Campaign continues to be our single
largest fundraiser. Invest a lot of time and energy into it.
And obviously as society has changed and less people are
caring cash and more people are shopping online, there have
been challenges with the Kettle effort, but it still continues
to provide significant resources for us to meet those most
(18:19):
basic of human needs. And so we encourage individuals, you know,
as you go buy that kettle, that ringing bell is
really an advocacy for our neighbors in need, and it
is a reminder that we have individuals that we might
not even know about that that live not far from us,
(18:40):
going through whatever challenge is that they might be facing.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Who are.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Who are wrestling with the question do I put food
on the table or do I pay the rent? And thankfully,
because of vehicles like the Salvation Army, that answer can
come pretty easily if we can help with one or
the other, and so it provides that benefit to the
local community. And so we just encourage individuals, whether it's
(19:08):
giving through the through the Kettle, whether it's texting kettle
to three one three three three, are going onto the website.
There are wonderful opportunities to give, and there's ways to
give and support without that aren't necessarily directly financial, and
one of those is to volunteer at the Kettle. It's
a great opportunity to contribute to the need of those
(19:33):
in our communities and it's as simple as going to
register to ring dot com and they can find a
shift on there and a location near them where they
can volunteer and help the Salvation Army help others.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
You know what. And so many of the stores are
so gracious and they really help out the individuals who
who decide to volunteer. But let's talk about, you know,
volunteering beyond the kettle. Do you havevolunteers that may help
out in other programs and do you need volunteers and
what's the process.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yeah, I'll jump in there. So again I'm kind of
the civilian of the Salvation Army. It'll be my fourth
Christmas with the Salvation Army. But really, we need volunteers
all year long. The Red Kettle is amazing and it
is so amazing to see families volunteer together, but we
need help all year long. If people go to Salvation
Army WPA dot org, slash volunteer, the WPA is for
(20:32):
Western Pennsylvania, they can find local volunteer tier opportunities where
they live. So we actually serve in twenty eight counties
here in Western Pennsylvania and a lot of our volunteer
opportunities we.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Margus, did you realize how large in an area you
were taking on when you took.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
The geographically we have driven across Route eighty so many
times back and forth from Salem, Ohio to New York
that we had a pretty good idea.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Okay, and yeah, each of those things flat except for
up in there.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Nothing is flat. That is very true.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
And each of those worship and service centers needs things
on a daily basis. So, for example, in the South
Hills of Pittsburgh, we have a Choice Food Pantry every
single Thursday, and that is where people in our community,
our neighbors in need, can go and shop for groceries,
not at a cost for them, but they have the
dignity to pick out the food that they actually need
(21:25):
for the week. They're just not getting a box of
you know, souper, just something that they didn't get to
pick out themselves. They actually get to go and get
the groceries that they need for their family, so they
don't have to decide between that heavy grocery bill and
having food on the table. And it's not just grocery items.
There's actually a garden there that actually has fresh produce
(21:47):
for our neighbors in need, and it's grown all year
long except for when it's super cold, which we're about
to come up on. But the Choice Food Pantry is
somewhere where we need people to help stock those pantries
and stock those shelves. I would say Another volunteer opportunity
and a place that always needs help is the Salvation
Army's Family Caring Center. It's actually our shelter. It's located
(22:09):
in the East Liberty neighborhood, but it serves all of
Pittsburgh and it's a place where families who are experiencing
homelessness can actually go live together in apartment style living.
A lot of shelters are just for single women or
just for men or women and children. This is where
the whole family, all ages can actually come together, not
(22:29):
only live together, but we have special programming for them.
So volunteers can actually come. They can cook and serve
a meal in our kitchen there, they can come do
activities with the kids in our learning center. They can
come even volunteer. If they have an expertise in a
certain career field like financial planning, they can come and
help teach these families how to budget so that when
(22:51):
they get outside of the shelter they can have a
bright future. So the Family Caring Center is something that
is a huge priority for us, and something that we're
seeing too is actually in the winter, a lot of
our neighbors are out in the cold, and we're actually
even seeing a lot of older adults that don't have
that shelter. So we will have an overflow shelter this
(23:12):
winter where people can come and have a warm place
to sleep at night.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
And Marcus, you started out as a volunteer. Now granted
you're up to Shenanigans and your mother kind of was
made you. Is that the way? Yeah, that's what I thought.
So who knows a volunteer could turn into a vocation.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And that's a way I like to say volunteered sometimes,
but I will say we are seeing that next generation
volunteer at a lot of our locations, especially our Family
Carrying Center. We actually have a group that's called Pittsburgh
Echelon and it's for those emerging young professionals that live
here in Pittsburgh and all across Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania.
(23:54):
And they've kind of adopted the Family Carrying Center as
a place where they go and they serve meals. They
go and they put together valentines for the kids to open.
They go and they help, you know, not just serve
a meal. But we also did a back to school bash.
Back to school is almost the next Christmas. I know,
we're all talking Christmas right now, But there is a
(24:16):
huge need for students to have those school supplies that
they need. So this group goes and does a carnival
for the kids. And so not only do they get
a backpack full of school supplies, but they get to
have fun. They get to take pictures, they get to
do arts and crafts, they get to have cookies some
healthy food too. But they get to go have fun
and really start the school year off right. And it's
(24:37):
all thanks to our volunteers.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
All right, So we talk about volunteering, we talk about
the kettle, tell us a little more about the Angel Tree. Yeah,
all that.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
I know you're really into the Angel Tree program, especially
your wife, Major Joy is really deeply connected here.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah, the Angel Tree program is a great way to
provide a new unwrapped toy that meet the specific request
of a child that is coming in in any of
our thirty five centers and yes for Greater Pittsburgh area.
My wife is coordinating it this year. This is a
passion of hers that she has done at every location
(25:16):
working with the Angel Tree program, and it's a great
way just to bless a family have that gift under
the tree that would not have otherwise been there, and
we all have fond memories of Christmas, and I think
of gifts that I received over the years, and I
think of what it would be if Christmas morning came
(25:37):
and there was nothing under the drum. And so we
have that as a vehicle for individuals to be a
blessing to some child who might not otherwise have something.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
And I will say that Angel Tree if just looking
to volunteer, it is one of the coolest your experiences.
I know groups of friends go to volunteers a lot
of offices and local companies, Oh and volunteer that for
week of December. And what's really cool is that warehouse
is like a toy land, and it is so the
volunteers actually get to go. They'll get the information about
(26:07):
a child and they get to shop for that child.
So let's say you have a five year old boy
who's really into trains or basketball, you get to go
shop for them and put together their Christmas gift and
just make sure they have a joyful holiday season.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
And that was my introduction to the Salvation Army. Here
in Pittsburgh, there is a longtime broadcaster Fred Hansberger, who
encouraged us to have a toy campaign and it's been
a wonderful experience working with the Salvation Army. And we
only have a few minutes left, so I do have
(26:40):
some questions. Tell me a little bit more about your
team that you're starting to develop here now that you've
become the new division commander.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Well, we are blessed to have a team already in place,
wonderful employees, whether they've been here for four years or
some close to forty years right that they our employees
here at our headquarters. They're the backbone of the organization.
They're the ones who stay when we officers get transitioned
(27:10):
and move from place one place to another, and so
we're blessed by that team. We have a great officer
team as well, both at the headquarters and out on
the field at the thirty five locations, and so we
have a great team in place, and we're just looking
to how can we best serve and support them so
that they can flourish in all that they are doing,
(27:32):
so that we can be a blessing to everyone who
comes to the Salvation Army Needing Supporter Service.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
One final question, what are some of your hopes and
dreams that you want to accomplish.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Well, we would certainly love to see and this is
a boring answer right here, but greater financial sustainability and
stability in times that have been been challenging for all
not for profits, particularly post COVID, and so that is
a great focus right now. But also to expand to
(28:04):
see what are the unmet needs in the communities where
we're currently engaged. Just because we've been providing a service
for one hundred years in that location, if there are
a lot of other entities providing that same service, Now,
what can we do differently? What unmet needs are there
that we can focus on again to meet that need,
(28:28):
whether it's physical, emotional, academic, spiritual, whatever it might be,
that we can step in and be a blessing to
those individuals and families.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
You know, the Salvation Army to me is a cherished
organization here in town. So welcome to Pittsburgh. I'm looking
forward to working with you in the future. And it
was certainly a pleasure to meet you meet you. Thank
you so much.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Well, thank you for having us, and we look forward
to coming back for further conversations.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Nicole, thank you for joining us on the microphone. Finally,
and once again, Major Marcus, thank you so much for
coming in. Thank you Johnny, and this has been your
CEOs you should know podcast showcasing businesses that are driving
a regional economy. Part of iHeartMedia's commitment to the communities
we serve. I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you so much for listening.
Hi, Welcome in. This is the CEOs You Should Know Podcast.
My name is Johnny Heartwell your host. My guest today
is the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania and its new
divisional Commander, Major Marcus Juggenheimer. Did I pronounce the name correctly?
You did? Great? Johnny and Nicole Herald Director of PR
and Marketing. I've known Nicole for quite a few years.
(00:25):
This is the first time you've actually joined us in
the conversation. Goodie, good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning. Yeah, our fourth Christmas together. I think I
love that.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
All right, Major, tell me everything we need to know
about just being the new commander and what are some
of your goals and what are some of the things
you have coming up in the holiday season.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Well, at the Salvation Army, we continue to provide heart
to God and hand to man, and during this season,
we're looking forward to continuing those services to meet both
the most basic human needs for those in the Western
Pennsylvania Venua area, but also to bring the hope in
the light of the season. And so we do that
(01:06):
through the services that we provide the congregational ministries, the
programs that we offer to children and seniors throughout the
twenty eight western counties of Western Pennsylvania. And really we're
looking at this season is also the time.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
To resource that mission, okay, and this is the time
of year for the Kettle campaign, So what do you
have planned for that?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So this year we're looking to outpace our goal of
last year where we raised two point two million dollars.
We're looking to raise two point three million dollars through
the kettles this year. And those funds stay local to
support our neighbors in need in our local communities. And
so we encourage those when you see the kettle out
(01:51):
at the shopping marts and the different stores and throughout
the community to give generously to help their neighbors in need.
But we also know that sometimes we don't have money
in our pockets, and sometimes weather gets in the way,
and so there are some other opportunities to give. Individuals
can give simply by texting the word kettle k E
(02:13):
T T L E to three one three three three,
or can go to our website and provide support there
through Salvation Army WPA dot org.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
There you go. You know, this is our first time
meeting and so I really want to get to know you.
So how did you what your When did you start
with the Salvation Army?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
So I actually started with the Salvation Army as a volunteer.
I was fourteen years old and I was starting to
get in a little trouble, and so through mother appointed
community service, I ended up at a Salvation Army day
camp just about an hour west of here in Salem, Ohio.
Oh yeah, and volunteered there. Ended up starting to attend
(03:00):
the Salvation Army as my church there, And really the
rest is history.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Where did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Grew up in Salem, Ohio until I left for college.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
All right, So yeah, I used to live in Youngstown,
so I'm very familiar with Salem, Ohio. And so as
a teenager you started getting introduced to the to the
Salvation Army. What what drew you in? As not only
did they obviously they helped you, but what what made it?
What made it? What made you decided to make this
(03:32):
your vocation?
Speaker 3 (03:34):
So initially I volunteered again mother appointed community service, but
it was because she knew that I liked to make
an impact in the lives of others, and so the
Salvation Army from day one was a natural fit for me.
And so I really felt God's calling into this vocation
to be able to provide support and service to those
(03:55):
in need, whether that need be a basic physical need,
whether that be a child who has academic needs, whether
that be an individual who just needs a little hope
in their life.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Do you remember your first day or first week getting
working for you know, volunteering or whatever.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh, I do very clearly. I will say that the
Salvation Army officer pastor there was very gracious with me
because I could have probably been sent home within my
first week or two for some of my shenanigans at
at the day camp. But they were very gracious and
and you know, I got a little guidance on the
best ways to to conduct myself, which has been very
(04:39):
helpful throughout my life.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, I think I think that helps as a It
makes you a kind of a well rounded person. You
kind of can empathize and sympathize with people who who
who've had their share of shenanigans.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Absolutely absolutely and have had that opportunity. We have served
a lot of time in the New York City area
as well as Boston area, some in Connecticut, some in Ohio,
and everywhere we've gone have had the opportunity to speak,
particularly into the lives of teenagers who are trying to
(05:17):
find their way in life, trying to figure out who
they are. And so my story, my past has been
has provided me the opportunity to be able to understand
them a little better.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
You use the word we, I'm going to ask you
who is we? Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, I have the blessing and privilege to serve alongside
with my wife Joy. Her story with the Salvation Army
is very different. Her family has been in the Salvation
Army for six generations oh wow. And she's a fourth
generation Salvation Army officer. And so that goes back almost
to the beginning of the Salvation Army in eighteen sixty five.
(05:56):
And so she is not that ald is no, no, no, no,
She's a child of the regiment. And and we met
at the Salvation Army's Training College which is up in Suffer,
New York, and really fell in love right away. I
had to convince her as the man of her dreams.
That took a little while.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Okay, okay, So do you remember meeting Joy and who
talked to who? First?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well, we had it was a visitation weekend and she
was there visiting and I was already there as a student,
and and a lot of people were trying to push
us together. And we met and it was it was
friendly and it was nice. But then we both went
our separate ways. But when she arrived that next fall
at the school, I quickly quickly fell in love and
(06:45):
h and again it took me. It took me a
little while to convince her, but she broke down the walls.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
All right, Marcus, tell me about the first date. Where'd
you go?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Well, the first date, I invited her to go out
and see a movie. I don't remember what the movie was,
but I do remember that after she said yes, she
went and asked her roommate to come along as well. Oh,
so it ended up being a group event rather than
just a date. But again, after building some trust, we
were able to go out on some dates just the
(07:16):
two of us.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
And had she worked at the Salvation Armor prior to
meeting you, I mean, did you when you dated? Let's
put all right, let me rephrase that. Did you work
separately in the Salvation Army or had you? Have you
always worked together?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
We both did some work with the Salvation Army. Hers
was mostly summer camps. Mine was summer day camps and
did a little work while I was in college running
a community center in Toledo, Ohio, and then when we
arrived there at the college and eventually met each other.
Since that time we have served together both as pastors
(07:56):
of local congregations and for the past about seven years
and administrative roles at divisional headquarters in Boston, New York City.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And well, I'm really looking forward to meeting her, and
I want to find her. I want to ask her
her version of the of the dating story, and you
can ask her.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
The right version, but first might different.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Little I got it all right. So you became the
the division commanders back in July. How did you happen
to come to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
The Salvation Army operates on an appointment basis, and so
we salute and go. We have served again, most recently
both in Boston and then New York City, as my
role was the second in command in those two locations,
and with the retirement of our predecessors, Majors Gregory and
(08:51):
Joyce Hartshorn, good friends of ours, we had the opportunity
to come here. And like I said, I'm an hour
from where I grew up. So this is a great opportunity.
I was saying to Joy the other day, I'm I'm
relearning the geography of my youth. All these places that
growing up seem so far away, I'm realizing are like
(09:12):
five or ten minutes from where I lived. Right that
perspective of a child getting in the car and just riding.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Or where did Joy grow up? And where did she
go to school?
Speaker 3 (09:22):
As the child of Salvation Army officers, she moved around
a lot of time. It's just like the real yeah,
real Army Connecticut and more upstate New York.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
A lot of the time. And where did she go
to school?
Speaker 3 (09:36):
So for college she went to Hoton College and then
also got her masters at.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So she if she went there, which if, for those
who don't know, that is just east of Buffalo. So
she's winters here in Pittsburgh are going to be a walk.
You're not going to bother her at not at all,
not at all. So all right, I want to I
want to know your impression of, you know, growing up
just north of Pittsburgh. Had you been to Pittsburgh before,
(10:04):
and what has been your impression since taking over here
in Pittsburgh for this particular division.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
Remember as a child going to Kenny Wood, going to
the Pittsburgh Zoo, even back in the day, being able
to go to the Pittsburgh Airport and when we could
actually go into the gates and stuff and watch even
if you didn't have a flight. So I remember those days.
As far as coming back, we have just been so
blessed and so impressed by all the individuals that we've met.
(10:35):
There's great things happening in the Pittsburgh are There's great
things happening with the Salvation Army in this area. And
we work with a wonderful team of officers, employees, and
volunteers who are deeply invested in the Salvation Army's mission
and making lives better for those that we engage with.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
And I've been working here in Pittsburgh almost thirty years
and almost the jomp I've been working with the Salvation Army,
and I can't think of an organization that is more charitable,
more giving and modest in what they do for the community.
And it's almost I feel like it's my responsibility to
(11:16):
really let people know how much the Salvation Army does
for the community, and not just you know, everybody knows
the Kettle Campaign and should embrace that, and I encourage that,
and that's coming up in just a few weeks. But
that's just scratching the surface of what you guys provide
(11:36):
for the community. What are some of the things, what are
some of your priorities.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Well, certainly food insecurity continues to be a significant challenge.
There's this narrative that COVID happened and there was a
spike in need and then it dropped out. Reality is,
the need has remained very high, higher than it was
pre COVID. The resources have dropped down, and that's where
(12:01):
the challenge is for the Salvation Army and a lot
of our other fellow not for profits that are trying
to stretch the dollar even for their to help more individuals.
And so food and security continues to be a significant
focus that we have for myself. Youth programming, engaging young people,
(12:23):
particularly teenagers, to try to help give them guidance and
structure to life. And I think there's a lot of
wonderful technologies that have been added to a society since
we were teenagers.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
It certainly makes life challenging.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
But they also bring with them challenges and a dark
side and helping and helping teens to get engaged outside
of those technologies and learn to function on a level
that to help them prepare them for life, life and work.
(13:02):
And so those those are some of the passions that
that I have. Much of the focus right now is
really on how we resource that mission, and so through
the Kettle effort, through the contributions online, these these enable
us to be able to reach out and provide these
(13:23):
services along with our emergency disaster services, which is which
makes such an impact, especially in this area. And we
have a great team in our Emergency Disaster services and
right now we are are working on equipping the front
lines to help be prepared for when that disaster strikes,
whether it's a regional disaster, whether it's a single house
(13:45):
fire for that for those impacted, that is a crisis
and the Salvation Army can be there to stand in
the gap for them.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
You started out in youth services as a camp counselor.
Is that kind of the reason why you kind of
prioritize that kind of mission here in Pittsburgh. Initially you
mentioned in the cattle campaign and then immediately went to
some of the youth services. Is that just something that
is that's been ingrained in you for for decades. That
(14:16):
is such a.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Pivotal time in anyone's life. And I was very fortunate
my best friend at the time that I was getting
in trouble with my mother made me go to volunteer
at the Salvation Army. And the way that our paths
(14:36):
went in different directions was a very star contrast. And
he's no longer with us as a result of a
lot of the decisions that he made, And so it
was a I look at that and say, there, but
by the grace of God go I and I had
(14:59):
an o opportunity to engage in something that put me
on the path to a more productive life, a more
healthy life, a more fulfilling life. And I'm grateful that
I had that opportunity and that the Salvation Army was
that vehicle for me.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Well, tell me more about your calling for me.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I really felt a call to serve people as in
a pastoral ministry, so not only serving the physical but
the spiritual and the emotional needs. And as the Salvation
Army was the only church that I've ever known, I've
ever been a part of, it was a natural that
it would be as an officer in the Salvation Army,
and we have my wife Jo and I have two
(15:42):
two beautiful daughters that are now twenty eight and twenty five,
and we've seen the positive impact that they've had over
their life as being connected with the Salvation Army and
the way that they're flourishing in their vocations now following
their callings, which are different than what Joy and I had,
(16:03):
but it's it has been a place for all of
my family now to be able to really explore and
dive into to what God has for us.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
All Right, Joy is not here, she's your wife. Is
there any particular focus that she has? Is there something
that she wants to accomplish now that she's she's been
here in Pittsburgh for.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Joy, she has her focus really is on the care
of our officers are pastors around at the thirty five
worship and service centers that we have, and so her
focus really is pouring into them, loving on them, being
a pastor to the pastors, and that is really something
that has been a calling on her life. And we've
(16:52):
had some opportunities to do that previously on smaller levels,
but here it's a great opportunity and so her focus
really is more internal there, strengthening those who are on
the front lines providing that service day in and day out.
And we all know that the more you're bearing the
(17:13):
burdens of others, that way can get heavy, and so
that is much of her focus as trying to help
lighten that load for them.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
I mentioned earlier how important the Salvation Army has been
to the Pittsburgh region. You talked about food, insecurity and
youth services, and you have so many other programs, but
you can't have those programs without funding them, and that's
why you have the Kettle campaign. And let's talk about
(17:43):
some of those fundraisers, and let's talk about the Kettle
campaign and how important it is to fund some of
these programs.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Certainly, the Red Kettle Campaign continues to be our single
largest fundraiser. Invest a lot of time and energy into it.
And obviously as society has changed and less people are
caring cash and more people are shopping online, there have
been challenges with the Kettle effort, but it still continues
to provide significant resources for us to meet those most
(18:19):
basic of human needs. And so we encourage individuals, you know,
as you go buy that kettle, that ringing bell is
really an advocacy for our neighbors in need, and it
is a reminder that we have individuals that we might
not even know about that that live not far from us,
(18:40):
going through whatever challenge is that they might be facing.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Who are.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Who are wrestling with the question do I put food
on the table or do I pay the rent? And thankfully,
because of vehicles like the Salvation Army, that answer can
come pretty easily if we can help with one or
the other, and so it provides that benefit to the
local community. And so we just encourage individuals, whether it's
(19:08):
giving through the through the Kettle, whether it's texting kettle
to three one three three three, are going onto the website.
There are wonderful opportunities to give, and there's ways to
give and support without that aren't necessarily directly financial, and
one of those is to volunteer at the Kettle. It's
a great opportunity to contribute to the need of those
(19:33):
in our communities and it's as simple as going to
register to ring dot com and they can find a
shift on there and a location near them where they
can volunteer and help the Salvation Army help others.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
You know what. And so many of the stores are
so gracious and they really help out the individuals who
who decide to volunteer. But let's talk about, you know,
volunteering beyond the kettle. Do you havevolunteers that may help
out in other programs and do you need volunteers and
what's the process.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yeah, I'll jump in there. So again I'm kind of
the civilian of the Salvation Army. It'll be my fourth
Christmas with the Salvation Army. But really, we need volunteers
all year long. The Red Kettle is amazing and it
is so amazing to see families volunteer together, but we
need help all year long. If people go to Salvation
Army WPA dot org, slash volunteer, the WPA is for
(20:32):
Western Pennsylvania, they can find local volunteer tier opportunities where
they live. So we actually serve in twenty eight counties
here in Western Pennsylvania and a lot of our volunteer
opportunities we.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Margus, did you realize how large in an area you
were taking on when you took.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
The geographically we have driven across Route eighty so many
times back and forth from Salem, Ohio to New York
that we had a pretty good idea.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Okay, and yeah, each of those things flat except for
up in there.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Nothing is flat. That is very true.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
And each of those worship and service centers needs things
on a daily basis. So, for example, in the South
Hills of Pittsburgh, we have a Choice Food Pantry every
single Thursday, and that is where people in our community,
our neighbors in need, can go and shop for groceries,
not at a cost for them, but they have the
dignity to pick out the food that they actually need
(21:25):
for the week. They're just not getting a box of
you know, souper, just something that they didn't get to
pick out themselves. They actually get to go and get
the groceries that they need for their family, so they
don't have to decide between that heavy grocery bill and
having food on the table. And it's not just grocery items.
There's actually a garden there that actually has fresh produce
(21:47):
for our neighbors in need, and it's grown all year
long except for when it's super cold, which we're about
to come up on. But the Choice Food Pantry is
somewhere where we need people to help stock those pantries
and stock those shelves. I would say Another volunteer opportunity
and a place that always needs help is the Salvation
Army's Family Caring Center. It's actually our shelter. It's located
(22:09):
in the East Liberty neighborhood, but it serves all of
Pittsburgh and it's a place where families who are experiencing
homelessness can actually go live together in apartment style living.
A lot of shelters are just for single women or
just for men or women and children. This is where
the whole family, all ages can actually come together, not
(22:29):
only live together, but we have special programming for them.
So volunteers can actually come. They can cook and serve
a meal in our kitchen there, they can come do
activities with the kids in our learning center. They can
come even volunteer. If they have an expertise in a
certain career field like financial planning, they can come and
help teach these families how to budget so that when
(22:51):
they get outside of the shelter they can have a
bright future. So the Family Caring Center is something that
is a huge priority for us, and something that we're
seeing too is actually in the winter, a lot of
our neighbors are out in the cold, and we're actually
even seeing a lot of older adults that don't have
that shelter. So we will have an overflow shelter this
(23:12):
winter where people can come and have a warm place
to sleep at night.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
And Marcus, you started out as a volunteer. Now granted
you're up to Shenanigans and your mother kind of was
made you. Is that the way? Yeah, that's what I thought.
So who knows a volunteer could turn into a vocation.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And that's a way I like to say volunteered sometimes,
but I will say we are seeing that next generation
volunteer at a lot of our locations, especially our Family
Carrying Center. We actually have a group that's called Pittsburgh
Echelon and it's for those emerging young professionals that live
here in Pittsburgh and all across Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania.
(23:54):
And they've kind of adopted the Family Carrying Center as
a place where they go and they serve meals. They
go and they put together valentines for the kids to open.
They go and they help, you know, not just serve
a meal. But we also did a back to school bash.
Back to school is almost the next Christmas. I know,
we're all talking Christmas right now, But there is a
(24:16):
huge need for students to have those school supplies that
they need. So this group goes and does a carnival
for the kids. And so not only do they get
a backpack full of school supplies, but they get to
have fun. They get to take pictures, they get to
do arts and crafts, they get to have cookies some
healthy food too. But they get to go have fun
and really start the school year off right. And it's
(24:37):
all thanks to our volunteers.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
All right, So we talk about volunteering, we talk about
the kettle, tell us a little more about the Angel Tree. Yeah,
all that.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
I know you're really into the Angel Tree program, especially
your wife, Major Joy is really deeply connected here.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah, the Angel Tree program is a great way to
provide a new unwrapped toy that meet the specific request
of a child that is coming in in any of
our thirty five centers and yes for Greater Pittsburgh area.
My wife is coordinating it this year. This is a
passion of hers that she has done at every location
(25:16):
working with the Angel Tree program, and it's a great
way just to bless a family have that gift under
the tree that would not have otherwise been there, and
we all have fond memories of Christmas, and I think
of gifts that I received over the years, and I
think of what it would be if Christmas morning came
(25:37):
and there was nothing under the drum. And so we
have that as a vehicle for individuals to be a
blessing to some child who might not otherwise have something.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
And I will say that Angel Tree if just looking
to volunteer, it is one of the coolest your experiences.
I know groups of friends go to volunteers a lot
of offices and local companies, Oh and volunteer that for
week of December. And what's really cool is that warehouse
is like a toy land, and it is so the
volunteers actually get to go. They'll get the information about
(26:07):
a child and they get to shop for that child.
So let's say you have a five year old boy
who's really into trains or basketball, you get to go
shop for them and put together their Christmas gift and
just make sure they have a joyful holiday season.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
And that was my introduction to the Salvation Army. Here
in Pittsburgh, there is a longtime broadcaster Fred Hansberger, who
encouraged us to have a toy campaign and it's been
a wonderful experience working with the Salvation Army. And we
only have a few minutes left, so I do have
(26:40):
some questions. Tell me a little bit more about your
team that you're starting to develop here now that you've
become the new division commander.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Well, we are blessed to have a team already in place,
wonderful employees, whether they've been here for four years or
some close to forty years right that they our employees
here at our headquarters. They're the backbone of the organization.
They're the ones who stay when we officers get transitioned
(27:10):
and move from place one place to another, and so
we're blessed by that team. We have a great officer
team as well, both at the headquarters and out on
the field at the thirty five locations, and so we
have a great team in place, and we're just looking
to how can we best serve and support them so
that they can flourish in all that they are doing,
(27:32):
so that we can be a blessing to everyone who
comes to the Salvation Army Needing Supporter Service.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
One final question, what are some of your hopes and
dreams that you want to accomplish.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Well, we would certainly love to see and this is
a boring answer right here, but greater financial sustainability and
stability in times that have been been challenging for all
not for profits, particularly post COVID, and so that is
a great focus right now. But also to expand to
(28:04):
see what are the unmet needs in the communities where
we're currently engaged. Just because we've been providing a service
for one hundred years in that location, if there are
a lot of other entities providing that same service, Now,
what can we do differently? What unmet needs are there
that we can focus on again to meet that need,
(28:28):
whether it's physical, emotional, academic, spiritual, whatever it might be,
that we can step in and be a blessing to
those individuals and families.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
You know, the Salvation Army to me is a cherished
organization here in town. So welcome to Pittsburgh. I'm looking
forward to working with you in the future. And it
was certainly a pleasure to meet you meet you. Thank
you so much.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Well, thank you for having us, and we look forward
to coming back for further conversations.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Nicole, thank you for joining us on the microphone. Finally,
and once again, Major Marcus, thank you so much for
coming in. Thank you Johnny, and this has been your
CEOs you should know podcast showcasing businesses that are driving
a regional economy. Part of iHeartMedia's commitment to the communities
we serve. I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you so much for listening.
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