The Salvation Army’s Captain Rick Langley was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide updates on the organization’s new facility currently under construction on Ross Mill Road in Henderson.
With a focus on serving youth in the five-county area, the facility will be located on a 40-acre lot near Mako Medical Laboratories and Vance Charter School. According to Langley, completion is expected by October of this year with outside work being finalized over the next two weeks.
To emphasize the religious aspect of the organization, the building will feature more traditional church aesthetics. “The new building will have stain glass windows and a cross to make it look more church-like than institutional-like,” said Langley.
In a previous interview with WIZS, Langley stated that the facility will include a community center, gym, full-size commercial kitchen and two ball fields – baseball and soccer. A variety of programs will be provided including band lessons, drama classes, cooking lessons and Christian dance classes.
In addition to hosting Salvation Army-related games, the ballfields will double as the home field of the neighboring Vance Charter School Knights.
“I think it will be a great partnership with Vance Charter School,” said Langley. “They are a wonderful school and we look forward to sharing the facility and learning from their students, teachers and mentors.”
While construction is underway on the new building, the Salvation Army will continue to operate from its 355 Alexander Avenue location in Henderson. According to Langley, the Alexander Avenue property was recently sold to Tiff McCarter with “The City Ministries” based out of Durham, NC, and the two Christian-based organizations currently share the facility per their agreement.
In addition to the planning of a new facility, Langley has also been busy with the new Salvation Army Store located on Raleigh Road across from Supply Line in Henderson.
“The new store is doing better and better each week,” Langley reported. “People are starting to find out about us and discover some of the great deals we have. We get an unbelievable amount of stuff from Henderson and are able to sell it at very discounted prices. You can find some good deals and treasures if you’re there at the right time.”
With a large variety of items including clothing (some name brand), pictures, wall décor, vases, rugs, appliances and plenty of knickknacks, Langley said the store is a must-see.
According to Langley, the previous Salvation Army Store located at 222 W. Montgomery Street in downtown Henderson is currently used for storage and for the baling and sell of old rags at a price of 15 cents per pound.
“Our original intention was to open two stores, be we just couldn’t work that out,” explained Langley.
While Langley is proud of all the work he and wife Angie have put into the organization since being relocated to Henderson from South Carolina in 2012, he announced that the duo will be retiring in mid-June to Greenville to spend more time with family and grandchildren.
When asked to describe his experience working with his wife, Langley responded, “It has been wonderful. She’s the brains of the outfit for sure. She’s a go-getter and has done a lot for this community and its people.”
While leaving the area is bittersweet for Langley, he has faith in the Salvation Army’s new husband-and-wife team taking the helm, Derrick and Odessa Smith. “The Smiths are a wonderful couple transferring from Burlington,” said Langley. They are going to be program-minded and wide open. The community is really going to love them, I promise you that.”
To hear the Town Talk interview with Captain Rick Langley in its entirety, click here.
