New leadership coming to Salvation Army

New leadership begins in a few weeks at the Salvation Army in La Crosse.

Majors Jeff and Dawn Russell are replacing Majors Alan and Kim Hellstrom, who are moving to lead the Traverse City, Michigan corps in their home state.

The Russells are moving from Appleton. La Crosse is their tenth appointment in the 23 years since they were called to join the Salvation Army.

While that area has a much larger population to serve, Major Jeff Russell said there are similarities between all of the places they’ve served. 

“All the communities are different, but the similarities are that people want to help their neighbors. They want to make sure their neighbors are doing well. I’m sure La Crosse is the same way as the Fox Cities. Different population sizes but communities usually care about their neighbors,” he said.

Major Russell stated that he and his wife and the Salvation Army wouldn’t be able serve the people without community support.

The Salvation Army has served the La Crosse area for more than 100 years, he said.

Both Russells say they are looking forward to getting reacquainted with the community.

They spent time in La Crosse for an internship from 1999-2000 at the beginning of their service to the Salvation Army.

Major Dawn Russell said she wants to connect with the people that the Salvation Army serves.

“It is very much a people business. That’s what God called us into and that’s how we want to serve,” she said.