Salvation Army Field Notes: A Car Salesman’s Story

The day had finally come.  Our 15-year-old Toyota Highlander required more repairs than it was worth, so my husband, Steve, and I went to a car dealer to check out possibilities for our next family vehicle.

The car salesman, Thomas, greeted us as we arrived in the parking lot, and I immediately noticed his accent.  I thought, “I wonder what his story is …”  Little did I know that he would have a Salvation Army story!

Fast forward a few weeks, once we’d decided on a car to purchase.  We were completing the paperwork when Thomas noticed that my husband worked for The Salvation Army. Surprised, he exclaimed, “You work for The Salvation Army?!  I went to a Salvation Army school as a child in Nigeria!” 

Immediately, I wanted to know more details.

So, one day, over a friendly cup of coffee, Thomas shared his entire Salvation Army story …

When I started school as a child back in Nigeria, we went to a Salvation Army school.  It was one of the major primary schools for kindergarten to sixth grade.  My brothers and sisters — all my siblings — went there.

We even went to the school when we didn’t have school!  It was a place to hang out.  We’d jump the fence.  The uniform and band stick out in my mind.  They used to wear white, crisp, well-ironed clothing.  Women wore small, long hats.  As a kid, that really intrigued me.  They would be playing drums and marching.  I grew up with that until I was a teenager.  The school was right in my neighborhood, so I’d pass it every time I went somewhere.  I’d walk by in the morning, and people would be lined up to watch the band.  It was a beautiful site.

At the time, I didn’t know what The Salvation Army was.  Just the name.  I thought it was military, because the uniforms were as crisp as the military.  There was a church there in the school.  On Sunday mornings, you’d see people going.  But we went to a different church.  It wasn’t until I grew up, left Nigeria for the United States, and had been here for four years that I knew what else The Army does.

I first came to the United States when I was 23 years old.  I found myself in the position of needing a place to spend the night.  I was supposed to stay at a friend’s house, but he wasn’t in town, so I just started driving around.  I don’t know what I was looking for.  I went into a store, and told them that I just got to town.  The gentleman told me that there was a Salvation Army down the road.  I hadn’t thought of them since I was in grade school!  I asked him, “What does The Salvation Army do?”

He told me to go there, and that they’d give me a place to stay.  I was surprised.  I thought it was a joke!  There was a small office, so I went in there and told my situation to the gentleman.  He was very nice and very quick!  He gave me a paper, and told me there was a hotel less than a block from the office.  He said, “Take this paper, go to the hotel office, and they’ll give you a place.”

I didn’t believe it was going to work!  I went to the hotel office, and they got me set up in a room.  The next day after checkout, I went back to The Salvation Army to thank the man.  He wasn’t there, but I thanked the others.  I started researching to see if I could do anything to help The Salvation Army.  I saw they have stores and take donations.

Since then, The Salvation Army has been the only place for my in-kind donations.  I don’t remember anyone giving me such help when I needed it.

We hear wonderful stories just like Thomas’ all the time — about The Salvation Army’s impact — and we know that you do, too!  Share your Salvation Army Field Notes with us and you might be featured on The Ringer.