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BY BRIAN PICKERING –
After outgrowing its 1,700 square-foot facility in just 22 months, the Moreno Valley Salvation Army recently moved into a two story, 10,000 square-foot facility. In addition, its status changed from an outpost to a corps, thus becoming the Army’s 20th corps in the Sierra del Mar Division.
A dedication service was led by Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Don Bell;. Lt. Colonel Raymond Peacock, Western Territory secretary for program, delivered the message and Lt. Colonel Carolyn Peacock, territorial secretary for women’s auxiliary and current issues, gave the dedicatory prayer. Nearly 160 were in attendance.
“This is the best thing that has happened for the Army in this community,” said A/Capt. Martin Cooper. “We can now grow. Where we were once limited, we can expand our programs and do a lot more.” Cooper and his wife, A/Capt. Nancy Cooper, are the corps officers.
For Martin Cooper, the combination of a new building and becoming a corps means new beginnings in a growing community. In the old building, where the capacity was 49, one room played host to virtually every program, including family services, community programs and Sunday church services. The new building offers a chapel and enough space for family services, community programs, offices, and storage.
