Table of Contents
Olean, NY
The corps in Olean, New York is located within the Empire State Division.
Officers
| Corps Officer | Spouse | From | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Wheeler | Martha Wheeler | ||
| Captain Paul Knickerbocker | Captain Kathleen Knickerbocker | ||
| Captain Elisha Moretz | Captain Megan Moretz |
Olean Salvation Army Planning Move To W. Delaware Ave
The Salvation Army announced Monday it recently purchased 328 W. Delaware Ave. intending to move its operations from East State Street to a newer location to better serve the community.
“This move will make us accessible to all and allow us to expand our current programs and services to best serve those most in need,” said Capt. Megan Moretz of the Salvation Army of Olean. “The facility will allow us to add new family and senior programming, expand our food pantry and meet the changing needs of the community.”
The Salvation Army currently hosts weekly worship services, Bible studies and children's music programming in Olean. It also provides a food pantry, clothing center and utility assistance as well as Christmas help to local families.
Capt. Elisha Moretz, Corps Officer, added that while the timeline of the move is still a work in progress, the current plan is to move Salvation Army operations in the coming months and then sell the East State Street location. A celebration and grand opening will take place at the new location in the springtime and be announced.
According to Cattaraugus County property records, the residential property with commercial use at 328 W. Delaware Ave. is owned by Sunil-Datta Soni of Allegany and assesed at $148,000.
The current Olean Salvation Army headqurters at 310 E. State St. is assessed at $204,700, according to county records.
Joshua Torrey, a longstanding member of The Salvation Army's Advisory Board, said the new location gives the organization the room and resources to serve the community with greater purpose and efficiency.
“The Salvation Army has long been a pillar of support in Olean, and this new location represents an opportunity to improve and expand our services. We look forward to continuing to serve the community with even greater impact,” Torrey added.
William Booth, an English evangelist, founded the Salvation Army in 1878 as a religious outreach to London's poor, fashioning his Army on Britain's military. Booth's plan was to send his army worldwide, and his first stop was the United States. One of his early recruits had migrated to Philadelphia, and wrote to Booth about the residents' need for salvation - and the Army soon spread out in America.
The work of the Salvation Army in Olean began this month 125 years ago. On Dec. 16, 1893, shoppers in the business district were startled by the sound of a band. Drawing closer, they saw four men in strange uniforms of blue and red, playing their instruments and singing a hymn.
“When the music had ceased, Ensign Atkinson of Buffalo told those who had assembled that the Salvation Army had come to Olean to assist the churches in their fight against sin,” an Olean Times Herald archive reads. “He pointed to the fact that there were from 90 to 100 liquor saloons in the growing city of 12,000 persons.
“Following the open air meeting, the crowd was invited to the hall on the third floor of the Blighton building, 167 1/2 North Union St. Every seat was taken.”
From that time on, the Army has operated in Olean - from the very first under Capt. and Mrs. Richards. The Rev. Grames, pastor of First Methodist Episcopal Church, was one of the most ardent of those who lent their support to the organization in its early days in Olean.
“The Salvation Army has been a force for good in the city,” the archive reads. “The familiar red kettles everywhere in evidence at the Yuletide season provide baskets for Christmas and winter relief for many families and individuals.”
In 1953, “a typical year in the life of the Army,” 147 street meetings were held; 285 meetings in the Citadel on East Sullivan Street; 1,333 hours were spent in visitation and counselling services; 465 group meetings were held for young people in the Citadel, with 7,899 youth taking part in religious, craft and hobby classes. The local leaders at that time were Capt. and Mrs. Edward J. Sayer, who also worked to send a number of local youth to the Salvation Army Camp near Penn Yan.
Longtime Salvation Army Thrift Store On North Union To Close In March
After decades of operating, the Salvation Army Thrift Store at 502 North Union St. will close its doors March 15 due to the organization's inability to find a suitable and less expensive venue.
The closure of the store, however, will not affect the operation of the Salvation Army's Eas State Street location, which will continue to offer its “essential community services including a food pantry, bread distribution and a small clothing closet,” said Jon Rogers, media contact for the Salvation Army Empire State Division.
In November, Salvation Army officials made a public appeal to find a new location, but were not able to find a suitable location.
Major Steven Lopes, director of operations for the Salvation Army in Buffalo, had traveled to Olean in the fall to speak alongside Envoy Anna Hawkins-Okosun of the Salvation Army in Olean to local clergy and city officials about the challenges faced by the thrift store. They had stated that the store was unable to generate enough traffic to raise the revenue to pay for the staff and overhead at the facility. At the time, Lopes said the Salvation Army was looking at options that included closing the facility, finding a place with greatly reduced expenses or finding donated space.
“The decision to close the store was not made lightly,” said Hawkins-Okosun, who oversees the thrift store and boutique in Olean. “But after much review, it seems to be the most responsible choice.”
Hawkins-Okosun said she plans to post signs at the store Friday regarding the impending closure and is beginning to limit the days the facility accepts donations. The store will eventually cease to accept any donations prior to the closing.
In commenting further on the closure, Hawkins-Okosun said she and the staff “are doing the best we can … but we have to be business savvy as well.”
She said that in the upcoming weeks there will likely be sales for different items in the store.
Officials reiterated that the Salvation Army Corps Community Center at 310 E. State St. “will continue to provide essential services to Olean's most vulnerable.”
“The Salvation Army will continue to be a safety net for many in need throughout the Olean community,” Hawkins-Okosun said. “We are part of this community and believe there are great things to come.”
She said all are welcome to attend worship services beginning at 9 a.m. Sundays.
For those who want to make a donation to the thrift store, call 373-5957 to find out the days and times the used goods will be accepted until the closure in March.