MIDDLEBURG – As friends gathered in the dining hall at the Clay County Salvation Army Corps office on Saturday, June 21, Mike Chamberlain was at the Corps warehouse to load the last bit of personal items into a rental truck.

He came through a back door and was greeted by 30 volunteers and friends who’ve relied on the services and fellowship provided by Cmdrs. Mike and Julie Chamberlain for the past three years.

The Salvation Army often reassigns its Corps leaders, and earlier this month, the Chamberlains learned their next post would be in West Volusia County in DeLand. It will be their fourth assignment in nine years.

Most importantly, they will leave a Corps that flourished under their watch, volunteers said.

“We were very intentional in speaking with the Irishes (former Captains), and we asked them for their vision of the Corps,” Mike said. “Our feeling is, we were never here to make this Mike and Julie’s church, because we knew we were here for a short time, and we wanted to make sure we continued the hard work the officers did before us.”

The Chamberlains said they accomplished most of their goals for Clay County, especially in building, providing services, and improving the center's “on the numbers and spiritual maturity,” as well as addressing the needs of an aging building.

“I think the biggest thing is our Advisory Board,” Mike said.

During the pandemic, board meetings were conducted virtually. 

"It was hard to get everyone on the same page when they’re not meeting together in the same place," Julie said.

This led to a drop-off in participation because some people were not ready to return at full capacity.

“It was a transition that needed to happen,” Mike said. “We found a great chair, Tillery Durbin (of Waste Not Want Not). The volunteering with the Advisory Board went through the roof.”

Getting the 20-year-old building back into shape was another challenge.

“I give the Women’s Auxiliary a lot of the credit for that,” Julie said. "They were awesome. They are so active, and they support the community. They aren’t a sit-back-and-write-a-check kind of people, although they probably could be. They support us with fundraisers, but they also roll up their sleeves and get to work, too. We couldn’t have accomplished everything we did here without the Women’s Auxiliary.”

The Army also secured a Rapid Response Unit for national emergencies. It’s parked at the Corps office on County Road 220 and is on standby for deployment when needed.

Another boon for the Corps has been the children’s music department. The Chamberlains added music classes on Thursdays, and participation has been phenomenal.

“Well, we should give credit to where it's due. Kim Lewis runs that program, and we have some great teachers who come from many years," Mike said. “And so, there are over 100 kids who come on Thursday nights. It's amazing how much the kids can learn from one week to the next. You know, when they practice at home. It's a great cost. It probably comes down to about six bucks a lesson. It’s a life-changing thing for them because when kids are in that developmental stage – maybe they're struggling at school, paying attention – but they find something that they can really focus on and put their energy into. It really redirects their thoughts to be able to learn better.”

As the services expanded, so have the needs. Julie said 520 children received toys as part of the Angel Tree program.

“In a way, that's good. In a way, it's bad because you don't want more people in need," she said.

The Chamberlains said they arrived at Clay County not knowing the length of their assignment. Mike said their first deployment lasted two years, their second was four.

The people they touched were grateful for their dedication. Some fought back tears while telling them how they affected their lives.

“I needed to make connections outside of myself, and you welcomed me to the point that I could make those connections," one man told Mike. “My life was really hanging in the balance. It could have continued down a destructive path, or it could be the spiritual growth that I have now. You helped facilitate that a lot.”

Diane Smith said she knows several previous Corps officers. She said the Chamberlains separated themselves with their work and dedication to helping anyone in need.

“Please make sure that you tell the Chamberlains before they leave (Sunday), the impact they made on your life,” she said. “Now, after knowing them, it’s going to be changed. It makes a difference, you know, in what we do. So be honest, be straight, be loving, be kind, be forgiving, whatever you need to do, and be big. Be honest with yourself as well.”

Maj. Melissa and Capt. Tim Scott of Florence, South Carolina, was reassigned to the Clay County office. Their week-long adjustment period started on Monday, June 23.