Mat-Su Valley and Hoonah Corps Salvation Army Officers Exchange Service Locations
Majors Bottjen and Captains Josephson exchange service locations in Alaska
Early February 2019, The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley and Hoonah Corps locations welcomed new officers. Previously, Majors Kevin and Tina Bottjen managed The Salvation Army Corps Community Center and services and the summer run Salvation Army donut shop in Hoonah, while Captains Jeff and Michelle Josephson managed the urban Mat-Su Valley Corps Community Center and services in Palmer. Since then, the officers have respectively exchanged service locations.
“It’s great. It’s a small town and Captain Michelle and I both come from small towns, so it’s nice to be back home,” said Captain Jeff Josephson of the Hoonah move. “People have been fantastic and we enjoy going to local events like basketball games and the science fair. We also look forward to working in the donut shop which will provide a lot of opportunities to socialize, share our testimony and glorify God.”
“The army blessed me by sticking me right in a fishing hole,” says Captain Jeff Josephson. He’s looking forward to the opportunities to fish as much as he can.
Majors Bottjen have hit the ground running since moving to the Mat-Su Valley. Currently, The Salvation Army food pantry at 209 W. Evergreen in Palmer is in the process of moving to the Salvation Army Corps location at 12271 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway temporarily. The previous location’s building is currently being sold by the owners, but the temporary location change will save the army rent and utilities costs in the meantime. The Bottjens are also continuing to look at remodeling and assisting in the process of making the Mat-Su Valley Corps fully functional for all services.
“We’re excited about what the future holds,” said Major Kevin Bottjen. “In April, we will take part in Alaska Shield training with other emergency disaster responders. The hospital, fire department, police and other local participants will take part as well as hundreds of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to take part in the training as an acting victim, you are needed. Leave us a message at (907) 745-7079 and we will help you sign up for the event.” The emergency disaster training exercises will take place in various locations throughout the Mat-Su Valley on April 12 and 13, 2019.
For more information about the Mat-Su Valley Corps, visit https://mat-suvalley.salvationarmy.org/. To learn more about the Hoonah Corps community center, please visit https://hoonah.salvationarmy.org/.