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.
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.