Tim and Kimberly Brown say not only do they want to continue the progress Pahrump’s Salvation Army has made over the years, but they also want to reach out to assist other valley families and individuals within the community.
The husband and wife team, both Salvation Army lieutenants, were recently assigned to Pahrump after Mark and Monica King, both captains in the organization, ended their stint in Pahrump Valley this year.
The Browns bring a wealth of experience from their time respectively serving within the organization over the years.
Their motivation to enlist was strictly altruistic.
“I’ve been in the Salvation Army all my life. My parents in Australia are Salvation Army officers and I’m about a fourth generation Salvationist,” said Tim Brown. “It really goes deeper than that because it’s more of a conviction and a relationship with Jesus Christ. I see the Salvation Army as doing good things and kind of the hands and feet of Christ.”
Kimberly Brown, meanwhile, said she actually was a participant in the organization’s youth program for many years before she decided to become an officer.
“I came to the Salvation Army in the Summer Camps Ministries as a teenager and it’s also about my spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ,” she said.
As with most any charitable organization, the Salvation Army has its share of financial issues.
Funding comes from various sources, but the generosity of the community appears to be main funding mechanism.
The Browns say grants, investment income and sales from the agency’s thrift store also contribute to its ability to continue providing services.
“The Salvation Army really relies on the community in which it is located. As far as Pahrump, it’s really the support of the community whether it’s time, talent or treasure. We have a good support base in the community, but with the economy and the times, we could definitely use more help, whether that’s volunteering or financial support,” Tim Brown noted.
Additionally, due to the demand for the local youth programs, Brown said that transporting kids to the facility has been a bit challenging as of late.
The organization is looking to secure a higher capacity van that would be suitable.
“At the moment we have two little minivans, but with our youth programs, we find that we are making multiple trips to pick up kids.
“We are looking at getting a larger 14-passenger shuttle-style minibus, but they are not cheap. We are looking to get a used one,” he said.
Another goal the Browns want to pursue is creating what would amount to a Pahrump Community Garden.
He said the organization has a perfect location for the site.
“We have a lot of land right here at our Buol Road location. We want utilize what we’ve got and supplement what we are already doing with fresh produce.
“We want to get community members and other agencies that want to carve a little section of the garden, so they could grow some fresh produce,” he said.
Kim Brown, meanwhile, said the organization is already working on the annual holiday programs in Pahrump.
“We are planning our Christmas Program and we are looking for people who want to adopt a family to support for Christmas as well as our Angel Tree kids.
“We really need support in those areas. We also need bell ringers. People who are enthusiastic and just want to volunteer. A lot of people are looking for ways to support the Salvation Army. What better way to represent the army and ring a bell,” she said.
The Browns would be hard-pressed to provide an exact figure on how many families and individuals the organization serves in Pahrump, as the numbers tend to change regularly.
“There are a lot of families that we help on a monthly basis,” Tim Brown said. “Every month we are helping on average, about 100 family units. The need is there continually.”
For information on local Salvation Army programs, church services and volunteerism, call 751-6171.