Captain Virginia Clarke

After hearing her tell about her family history, it was easy to understand how Virginia Clarke became commissioned as the current captain in charge of the Vandergrift Salvation Army. As Virginia said, “I was born into the Salvation Army.” Both her parents were Salvation Army officers; in fact her entire family is involved in some way. Her brother and sister-in-law are Salvation Army officers and her sister works for the Salvation Army.

Before she answered God’s call to become a Salvation Army officer in 1996, Virginia was working in purchasing at Bradley’s Department Store in Massachusetts where she lived since the third grade. And, as a confirmation to her that her choice was a correct one, Bradley’s went out of business some time later. After she was trained as an officer she was commissioned in Massachusetts until last October when she was appointed to Vandergrift.

“This was a very big adjustment for me. I lived in an urban area and this is very rural.” It was also a big change for her because this was the first appointment that she was in charge. It is a big commitment because you never know when someone else will have to take over your appointment. “You have to run everything well so someone else can just walk in and take things over.” The only other employee, Mary Ann, works part-time and has been there about twenty years. She has been an asset to the Salvation Army and its ability to continue serving the community.

Besides the family and senior center food banks, the Salvation Army has emergency food help throughout the week. This fall Captain Clarke is trying to put together an after school-tutoring program. They hope to get help from the local elementary schools to help see this program become a success. “It is hard to plan too far into the future because you don’t know when your commission might end and you will be sent to another area.” Although the constant change might be hard for some, Virginia is quite settled into this way of life. “I’ve been doing it so long that it is all that I know.”

It can however be difficult when you have the heart to help people but not be able to provide what is needed. “This location is in need of money. We live week to week on whatever comes our way.” This is such a needy area that they feel committed to help despite their financial situation.

In this uncertain profession one thing that remains constant and can be relied upon, this is that Captain Clarke will continue on in the family tradition and serve others.