A New Chapter Begins at The Salvation Army Jefferson County Service Center

The Salvation Army Jefferson County Service Center marked a meaningful leadership transition as staff, volunteers, family, and community partners gathered to celebrate Larry Hostetler’s retirement and welcome Danette Davidson as the new director.

For many in the room, the moment was both a farewell and a continuation. Hostetler was honored for the work he helped build through The Salvation Army’s Jefferson County presence, while Davidson was recognized as the person many volunteers had hoped would step into the role.

Hostetler himself said Davidson was the right person to continue the work.

“There is little advice that she needs,” Hostetler said. “She’s the ideal choice to follow because she has the characteristics that will enable what I’ve been able to get started to continue and to build upon. My advice is just run the race.”

The gathering was filled with laughter, prayer, memories, and words of gratitude. Speakers returned again and again to the same themes: Hostetler’s faith, his ability to connect people, his willingness to say yes, and his deep commitment to the mission of serving others.

Danette Davidson, speaking on behalf of the staff, said Hostetler brought joy and direction to the center from the beginning.

“We’re really going to miss you,” Davidson said. She recalled Hostetler’s early days at the center, from Christmas parades and bell ringing to pantry days, mobile marts, Rotary car shows, Arnold Days, and Christmas in the Park. She described him as someone who was “always there with a smile, ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus and have fun doing it.”

Davidson also pointed to Hostetler’s leadership after the fire at the food pantry, saying he faced the rebuilding process with courage, strength, and joy. During that season, when staff did not always know how to answer the many questions they were receiving, Hostetler gave them signs that simply said, “Ask Larry.”

It was a small story, but it captured the way many people described him: steady, available, and willing to carry responsibility.

Davidson said Hostetler brought “joy and a light-heartedness” to the center, but also vision, direction, and gracefulness. Staff described him with words including visionary, strategist, mentor, knowledgeable, charismatic, compassionate, accommodating, loyal, fun-loving, and joyful.

“Thank you for everything, Larry,” Davidson said. “We are better for knowing you.”

Major Jonathan “Adam” Moore, representing Salvation Army divisional leadership, said Hostetler’s service was not only long, but deeply meaningful. Moore joked about Hostetler’s well-known love of big words, but then turned serious as he described the relationships Hostetler built over the years.

“If there is one thing that I can say for sure about Larry, it is that he can build a relationship anywhere,” Moore said.

Moore said the Jefferson County center has become active and full of life again, calling it “a beacon of hope here in Jefferson County.” He said Hostetler’s leadership helped empower The Salvation Army to serve others in a meaningful way.

“Well done, my good and faithful servant,” Moore said. “Not only has your service in time been impressive and impactful, but how you’ve done it. You’ve represented Jesus well. You’ve always pointed us back to the mission.”

Joe Scheets, Hostetler’s longtime friend and best man at his wedding, said two words best summarize Hostetler’s life and ministry: connecting and caring.

“He’s always about connecting and about caring,” Scheets said. He described Hostetler as someone who connects people and then steps out of the way, allowing them to use their own gifts and talents. Scheets said that is one of the greatest ways to make a difference.

“To do the most good, I understand that’s a Salvation Army phrase,” Scheets said. “It’s a great phrase. It’s also who Larry is and what he does: connecting, caring.”

Jerry Geen, chairman of the advisory board, spoke about the difference Hostetler made in restoring the service center’s role in the community. Geen said that after years on the board, he had once stepped away because he could no longer clearly see what the local work was doing. He later returned and saw something different.

According to Geen, Hostetler helped bring together people across churches, organizations, and service groups who shared a common desire to help people in need.

“Larry made that difference for me,” Geen said.

Geen pointed to the use of the building by community groups, faith groups, Boy Scouts, AA meetings, meals, and other gatherings as evidence of renewed life at the center. He said one recent meeting showed 840 people had used the building, calling The Salvation Army “a relevant institution in northern Jefferson County again.”

“That man is a collaborator,” Geen said. “He’s a unifier. He’s the most non-controversial person I think I’ve ever met in a very controversial world. And everything leads with his faith and his heart.”

When Hostetler addressed the room, he turned the attention back to others. He thanked the advisory board, DHHS staff, volunteers, community partners, clients, his staff, and his family. He said the work of The Salvation Army could not happen without the people who ring bells, serve in the pantry, assist with disaster services, pick up food donations, support community programs, and care for clients day after day.

“We could not do what we do without volunteers,” Hostetler said.

He also spoke about the people that bring staff and volunteers back to the work. He shared one example of a woman who had been helped by The Salvation Army during a domestic violence situation and later called back to say thank you. Hostetler said she had moved, found stability, bought a car, and credited The Salvation Army for helping her get there. He spoke of the immense trust that clients have placed in The Salvation Army. Noting that without that trust it would not be possible to fulfill the mission.

“Our clients day after day, week after week provide us with the inspiration to do the most good...” Hostetler said.

As Hostetler retires, the room made clear that his work will continue through the people he helped gather, encourage, and empower. With Davidson stepping into leadership, the transition is less an ending than a handoff.

It is the passing of a mission from one servant leader to another.

For Hostetler, the advice was simple.

Run the race.

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