by Joel Shuherk
As you travel down the Chestnut Expressway in Springfield, Missouri, you eventually come across an odd site. In front of JR’s Western Store – which one can assume takes its name from the TV show “Dallas” – a gigantic white buffalo statue stands steadfast, greeting its guests and glaring, as if saying, “Hey, we know that we’re a Midwest town, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less rough and tumble than Texas.” That seemed to be the overarching feeling in Springfield: a Western town at the foot of the Ozarks that somehow got stuck in the middle.
Our trip to Springfield started off on an uncertain note, with the remnants of Hurricane Ike creating airline delays and causing plans to be retooled to accommodate. Eventually a majority of the team ended up safely in Springfield, and managed to check in to our hotel and grab some dinner. Our final two remaining travelers were picked up from the Springfield-Branson Airport later in the evening, but by the end of the night everyone was nestled snug in their Ramada Inn beds, while visions of national service danced in their heads.
Our service site, the Salvation Army Community Center, was located down the road about ten minutes from our hotel. At first glance, it appeared to be a generally well-kept building, perhaps being built no more than 20 years ago. Although its exterior appeared to be nice, we soon learned that the Salvation Army lacked much of the upkeep and commodities necessary to operate an after-school program. After getting our equipment situated, we were introduced to Pegg Myers, the Salvation Army’s Community Center Director. The best way to describe Pegg’s personality – and to borrow from a Beatles’ song – would be as “exciting and inviting.” She was very warm and amicable from the get-go, and it took the team very little time to feel comfortable enough to joke back and forth with her. It is important to note these aspects of her personality, since she also exhibited the same passion to her students, employees and volunteers as she did toward us. It was clear that her enthusiasm drives the Salvation Army’s mission and motivates her employees to provide the best possible service.
The three days of preparation work leading up to the event turned out to be some of the smoothest prep that Team Care Force 08-09 has participated in so far. We could tell that we were starting to work out our kinks and were becoming a more cohesive unit. When one person would complete a specific task or project, they would be quick to offer to lend a hand elsewhere. In fact, our spirits were so high after the first day that we decided to eat at a restaurant where we could watch Monday Night Football, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles as a team.
We awoke bright and early on the Thursday of the event, pausing briefly to take part in the Ramada Inn’s continental breakfast. One should never underestimate the important role Eggo waffles, orange juice and coffee play in ensuring a successful service day. The projects we led in completing included a T-Mobile Huddle Up Zone, new murals in a gym, painting and creating a Salvation Army logo in the lobby, refurbishing boys’ and girls’ teen rooms, painting additional rooms and offices, constructing a new brick grill with benches outside, and creating a baseball field. Other goodies supplied by T-Mobile included two new computers, a new foosball and ping-pong table, furniture, gaming systems, and a new flat screen plasma television. In addition to the service performed and the aforementioned perks, T-Mobile presented Pegg with a check for $10,000 during the closing ceremony. After she was able to set disbelief and tears aside, Pegg stated that she was going to use the money to help finance a KaBoom! playground build in the near future. Although it would be nice to be there for that, it was time for Team Care Force to set our sights forward and move on to new projects in new cities. Shortly after a barbeque and an intense game of kickball, Team Care Force had to bid a fond farewell to the wonderful people of the Springfield Salvation Army Community Center.
