By Kimberly Gasuras

When Heidi and Ray Valdez made the move to Bucyrus from Dayton in July to replace Annie Buckles at the Bucyrus Salvation Army, they hit the ground running.

When the couple joined the Salvation Army, they were hoping to be sent to a location where they were needed, and they feel like they are exactly where they were meant to be.

“We had the tornado in North Robinson that we helped with and we have been extremely busy this Christmas season,” Heidi said.

The couple has eight children and two grandchildren between them.

“We have been married for five years. Some of our children are grown and live in the New Jersey and Dayton areas,” Heidi said.

Four of their children made the move to Bucyrus with them.

“They are 15, 14, 12 and 11 years old and absolutely love Bucyrus,” Heidi said.

Although Heidi only recently made the decision to become a pastor after years of working as a realtor and owning a catering business, Ray has been a pastor for 26 years.

“He has lived all over the world during his career,” Heidi said.

Ray worked at the Salvation Army in Dayton as the music pastor before becoming the captain of the Bucyrus Salvation Army.

“He plays just about every instrument there is,” Heidi said. “We offer a children’s music program with a meal that begins at 5 p.m. every Wednesday. The children are learning brass instruments currently.”

The program is open to all area children and their parents may eat dinner with them and stay for a Bible study meeting at 6 p.m.

Captain Cathy Harshfield, who worked along side Buckles at the Salvation Army, has stayed on to help out.

“She has been a wonderful help to us,” Heidi said.

Heidi said they were able to help a total of 508 families this Christmas through various avenues and partnerships with other organizations.

“We provided gifts and food items. It was our first Christmas and we did not know what to expect. We had help with distribution of the gifts from a fantastic group from Ohio Mutual,” Heidi said. “We also have a soup kitchen, food pantry and clothing closet all year round.”

The Salvation Army also helps local residents who have been affected by a disaster such as a fire, tornadoes such as the recent storms in Galion and North Robinson, and floods.

“We also try to help people with things like utility bills and housing assistance. We depend on our Red Kettle donations to fund most of this. Our goal is to be at $30,000,” Heidi said during the donation campaign before Christmas.

The goal was met and the results of a competition are in. Heidi is a member of the Bucyrus Rotary Club while her husband has joined the local Kiwanis.

“Those organizations are two of the many groups that ring the bell at the red kettles,” Heidi said. “There is a friendly competition between the two, so it has been a lot of fun.”

The Kiwanis brought in $4,853.51 and the Rotary brought in a total of $5,610.73, making the Rotary the winner after two years of the Kiwanis coming in ahead.

“We are so blessed to have two great clubs that do so much for our community,” Heidi said.

Heidi said the soup kitchen at the Salvation Army traditionally has been offered during the last week of the month.

“Beginning Jan. 17, we will be offering a meal from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday,” Heidi said.

Heidi said after becoming a soldier for the Salvation Army in Dayton, she felt a tug at her heart to go into the ministry full time.

“God was leading me to this, and to Bucyrus. We are excited to be here and to continue the programs we offer now and to grow and change for this wonderful community in the future,” Heidi said with a bright smile after several days with little sleep, while preparing Christmas gifts for distribution in the community.

For more information, visit the Bucyrus Salvation Army Facebook page or call its office at 419-562-0071.