Celebrating and Community in Cadillac
The Salvation Army of Cadillac has been a part of the community since 1888, however in June they celebrated their 50th anniversary at their current facility. Corps Officers Captains Greg and Elizabeth Bock have served in Cadillac since 2022. They say the small ribbon cutting ceremony was a way to honor the officers who were there before them. “Those officers were such a large part of this community,” said Captain Greg. “We also wanted to celebrate some needed upgrades that were recently completed.”
For the Bock’s and the city of Cadillac, that spirit of community remains today. Last spring, heavy rains combined with spring snowmelt created historic floods that destroyed homes, roads, bridges and even a city sewer system. “I've been here since November of 2009,” said Cadillac City Manager Marcus Peccia. “I have not seen a disaster, natural or otherwise, anywhere close to what we experienced this past April. As the water continued to rise and creep inward into our community, it just got worse and worse. And frankly, there was no way of stopping it.”
The Salvation Army immediately distributed hundreds of clean up kits provided by The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division Emergency Services Department and provided canteen services to city workers and others impacted by the floods. The Bocks then started contacting community partners including Walmart who donated supplies. They also reached out to their Amish friends in nearby communities, who were able to help provide thousands of sandbags.
It was then that they learned about Christian Aid Ministries, a national Amish and Mennonite disaster relief organization. The faith-based disaster relief organization is based in Ohio and responds to communities impacted by natural disasters. In June, the organization began connecting flood victims with volunteers who helped families with critical rebuilding services, including cleaning basements, and removing damaged drywall and mold.
“Our volunteers are a group of people with a heart to reach out and help others,” said Christian Aid Ministries chaplain Randy Fletcher. “Our brochure says, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We are here to carry your burden and were here to take away and try to ease the pain as much as possible. We can't take it away, but we can give hope.”
And even though there is still a long road ahead, Peccia says the only way the city has been able to accomplish what they have, is because of the community. “We've had to work with each other, lean on each other, and it has been incredible to see it all come together. In terms of seeing people from outside of our community coming together coming to help, the Salvation Army has been an absolute cornerstone in helping to bring volunteers together, all for the sole and only purpose of helping people.”