Salvation Army featured at Floyd County Museum

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Salvation Army was the topic of the day as the Floyd County Museum hosted its monthly Chautauqua Talk on Saturday, March 16.

The lead speaker for the event was local Salvation Army board member Cherie Schafer, who began the presentation with a slide show featuring a gallery of photos taken across more than a century of the group’s history in North Iowa.

After the slide show, Schafer introduced Steve Clay, who has been involved with the Salvation Army in the area for several decades.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything for them,” said Clay.

Clay shared memories of church rallies, Red Kettle campaigns, installing AC units, and the excitement of seeing the “new” building in Mason City being constructed a decade ago.

“It’s still new to me,” said Clay.

Also speaking at the event was Marilee Monroe, who was instrumental in organizing the Charles City branch in Charles City in the 1970s.

“Marilee became the face of the Salvation Army in Charles City for many years,” said Schafer.

A self-described whiner, Monroe gleefully shared the ways she shamelessly pestered people into volunteering for the cause.

“Retired teachers are the best in the world,” said Monroe. “Go to them. They’ll do anything.”

Recently celebrating her 90th birthday, Monroe is happy to see the Salvation Army continue to thrive in the area.

“I’m so proud of Charles City,” said Monroe. “When you do something, you hope it continues.”

Currently under the management of Kathy Crooks, the local Salvation Army raises $20,000 annually, of which 90% stays in Floyd County to support local projects and emergency relief.

“This community is the most giving community in the world,” said Crooks.