 The local chapter was under the leadership of Rebecca Van Nydeggen
for the past several years, but this fall, something happened that
took Van Nydeggen away from her post and ultimately resulted in her
offering an abrupt resignation. According to Tony Shuff, who is
now taking Van Nydeggen's place, it was a surprise to hear she had
resigned, because she was widely active in the community and
dedicated to serving the community through Salvation Army.
As a matter of fact, it was Van Nydeggen who ultimately brought
Shuff to the position he is in now as the newest director of the
local chapter.
According to Shuff, he has spent several years involved in the
ministry of God's word, beginning with the New Wine church. Shuff
served as the lead pastor of the church from 2004 to 2010. By that
time, the church's pastor of 20-plus years had moved on, and the
church had given itself a new name: Neighbors to Nations.
In 2010 Shuff left the ministry at that church, and he and his
family began worshipping at Open Arms Fellowship. Shuff said it was
a trying time for his family, and Van Nydeggen shared this with Ed
Dutton, the service extension director of the Heartland Division of
Salvation Army in Peoria, and asked him to pray for the Shuff
family.
Over the past year, the two men have gotten to know one another.
So, when it came to light that Van Nydeggen was no longer at the
local offices, Shuff came to mind as Dutton's first choice for a
suitable replacement.
Shuff said Dutton contacted the Lincoln Ministerial Association,
where Open Arms Pastor Larry Crawford is this year's president, and
asked to be put in contact with Shuff.
On Dec. 1, Dutton called Shuff and asked him right out, "Do you
want a job?"
Shuff said it was a shock, and he wasn't sure what to do at
first. Currently, he and his family involve themselves in the
ministry in several ways, but he is also trying to grow his own
business: Resilient Premier Cleaning Services.
"Some things, you're praying at different times, and you just
believe that God will lead your steps," Shuff said. "You want to see
the Salvation Army on a local front, you want it to continue."
Shuff felt led to take on the job because he believes in the
importance of Salvation Army in the community.
One of the biggest challenges facing Shuff right now is the Red
Kettle campaign.
When he met with Dutton, the two realized the campaign for this
year had not been organized. There were no merchants prepared to
participate and no volunteers in place to ring the bells in front of
local retail businesses.
Generally the Logan County chapter raises about $26,000 in funds
annually during the Red Kettle campaign, but this year, hopes are
quickly dashing that they will be able to even come close to that
amount.
Shuff said Friday morning that they do have some silent kettles
in place at eight or so local businesses, and there are ringers
active in a small handful of retail businesses, but there is so much
more needed if the chapter hopes to come through this season well.
"We should begin in the late summer, August or September, lining
up businesses where we can place our kettles," Shuff said. "Some
businesses, we have to contact corporate offices and such to get
permission, and that takes time."
It is time that Shuff doesn't have this year. He said he is
making calls, but right now his best hope is that people will open
their wallets and give generously to the kettles that are in place.
He also hopes they will open their hearts and step up to
volunteer to be ringers, as gathering volunteers this late in the
season is also turning out to be a challenge.
Shuff said he has had some blessings, though. Right now he has a
church that is interested in doing a full day of bell ringing for
him, and there are a couple of organizations that are looking at
taking a full day of ringing.
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Shuff also has some ideas of how ringing could become a great
family event.
It is always good to see families doing things together, but
there are a few times in the year when it is hard for mom and dad to
take the kids with them everywhere they go. Among them is the
Christmas season, but Shuff has an idea of how it can still be a
great family day.
"If the family would sign up to work at a kettle, mom could go
shopping while dad and the kids ring the bell; then they could
switch later and let dad go shopping."
Shuff said not only can it be fun to see people you know and
visit a little bit while encouraging them support a very good cause,
it can also be a great learning experience for kids.
"This can teach kids it's not just about getting, but also about
giving, and not giving things, but giving of one's self to a good
cause."
Shuff told a story as an example, saying his kids have been
blessed to be able to go a lot of places. The family has been
involved in ministries around the world, including trips to
Russia. But they've also enjoyed fun trips where they got to enjoy
themselves. One time he asked his daughter what her favorite was of
all the trips she'd taken. He said he was surprised when she told
him her favorite memory was of a trip that involved working at a
mission camp, helping others.
He said it shows kids can enjoy helping others; it can be an
important part of growing up physically, emotionally and
spiritually.
Shuff also said what he really needs right now are volunteers to
help out on weekdays, and he needs some folks to volunteer to work
on Christmas Eve.
"We're going to keep the kettles out right through Christmas Eve,
and we know we're asking a lot, asking someone to give up part of
their Christmas Eve, but we need to do all that we can."
Looking at this year's goal for the kettle drive, Shuff said he
has no idea where they will come out. The drive is starting late,
and the days are flying by, but he's still hopeful that people will
open their hearts and give generously to help support Salvation
Army.
He also wanted to remind everyone the dollars raised in the
kettle drive are for services offered locally.
Salvation Army plays a role in community service to those who are
in low-income situations. The organization acts when families have
lost their homes to disaster and is involved during natural
disasters such as blizzards and tornadoes, plus much more.
Shuff said there is a list of things he'd like to see developed
in the future, but for the moment, he is focused on the kettles,
because without proper funding, the program won't be able to
accomplish much this year.
Anyone who wishes to donate to a kettle can find silent kettles
at these local businesses: The Sewing Place, Hibachi Grill, Don
Panchito, Bonanza, Logan County Bank, Bryant's Arcade, Guzzardo's
and Daphne's. Bell ringers are currently also working at Lincoln IGA,
Kroger and Wal-Mart.
[By NILA SMITH]
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