ASHLAND — The Salvation Army Ashland Kroc Center has some new wheels.
A multipurpose, 12-passenger van was recently purchased by the Kroc Center, with assistance from local donations. The van was on display Tuesday afternoon during a check presentation between officials from the community center and Directions Credit Union representatives.
Directions Credit Union made a $5,000 donation to assist with the purchase of the van.
Other special thanks — highlighted by stickers on the back of the van — were given to Bill Harris Dealerships and the Ashland County Community Foundation.
The van will help expand transportation capabilities and access to youth programs, educational activities and community events, officials said.
Dan Lawson, director of the community relations and development office at the Kroc Center, said Directions Credit Union was the center’s first corporate partner.
“It (the van) cost a lot more than that one corporate partnership, so there were a lot of other corporate partners,” Lawson said. “But they’re the ones that got us started, so we’re grateful to them for getting us going.”
The van will serve many purposes for the Kroc Center, including transporting youth involved in programs at the center to competitions. When the 12 seats are removed, the van is also useful for transporting large items, Lawson said.
The van is currently being used to haul set pieces and equipment back and forth for the Ashland Kroc Center Youth Theatre’s upcoming Broadway revue — which is slated for April 24 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 3 p.m. at The Ashland Theatre.
Jenni Paramore, community outreach manager at Directions Credit Union, said as a not-for-profit financial cooperative, the credit union strongly values supporting community resources.
“It gives our branch an opportunity to be involved on a very organic level,” Paramore said.
She said staff at the local branch volunteers about 55 hours annually through different programs at the Kroc Center.
“We’ve really turned our focus over the last couple of years to really important things in our communities — housing insecurity, food insecurity, child care, things that really impact (communities),” Paramore said.
The Salvation Army celebrates 140 years in Ashland
The Salvation Army began in Ashland in 1886, Lawson said, just 21 years after it began in 1865 in London, England.
“It’s been 140 years of continuous service to the people of Ashland. They started downtown. They suffered a flood. But the people of Ashland got behind them to help them get a new building,” he said.
The Salvation Army Ashland Kroc Center at 527 E. Liberty Street was constructed in 2009.
Additions have been made to the center over time, including a water park.
“We are a full community center,” Lawson said.
Below are more photos from Tuesday’s check presentation at the Salvation Army Ashland Kroc Center. Credit: Hayden Gray
