Front and Center: Salvation Army thrives by helping others

The Salvation Army was founded in London 150 years ago by a Methodist minister and his wife.

Modeled after the military – with its own flag, uniforms, hymns and ranks – the organization sought to bring salvation to the poor, the hungry and the destitute.

But it also champions causes that benefit “the community of mankind as a whole.”

Coeur d’Alene is one such community.

When McDonald’s heiress Joan Kroc died in 2004, she bequeathed $1.5 billion to fund state-of-the-art Salvation Army fitness and community centers around the country.

Ninety-nine cities applied. Coeur d’Alene was among the 27 whose applications were approved.

Major Ben Markham oversees the Ray and Joan Kroc Center north of Interstate 90 at 1765 W. Golf Course Road. The 130,000-square-foot facility includes multiple swimming pools, a climbing tower, gymnasiums, meeting space, day care, and a chapel that doubles as a theater.

During a recent interview, Markham discussed how years of working with society’s most vulnerable prepared him for his current assignment, and why he doesn’t mind that some of his employees earn more than he does.

S-R: Where did you grow up?

Markham: I was born in Florida and grew up all over the place, because my parents were Salvation Army officers. It’s kind of like the military – you get transferred to different locations on short notice.

S-R: How did you feel about moving a lot?

Markham: It could be challenging, but my parents were fortunate in that they had somewhat longer appointments. I spent most of my high school years in Coos Bay, Oregon. My parents were transferred to Montana my senior year, so I graduated in Great Falls.

S-R: Then what?

Markham: I worked in retail sales for about five years. After thinking and praying about my future, I felt God was leading me in this direction. My wife, Joann, had also been around the Salvation Army her whole life, so we enrolled at the Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

S-R: Are husband-and-wife teams typical?

Markham: Yes. If you’re married, the only way the Salvation Army will allow you to be an officer is as a couple.

S-R: What were your early assignments?

Markham: We started out in Denver, working at a community center and senior housing complex. From there we went to Billings to open the first domestic violence shelter in Montana. Then on to Boise, where I oversaw an adult rehabilitation program. Next was Eugene, and involvement with a comprehensive family service operation, and Portland, where I was assigned to the divisional office as business manager. My last stop before Coeur d’Alene was Spokane, where I was responsible for our shelter program, transitional housing program, camp and conference center, community center – lots of activities. I became director of the Kroc Center in 2012.

S-R: Did you experience any culture shock switching from running shelters to overseeing a resort?

Markham: (laugh) It’s been a new experience for every Salvation Army officer involved with one of these. Suddenly I had to become an expert about pools and fitness equipment. But all my previous assignments sort of prepared me for this.

S-R: Do you have siblings?

Markham: Yes, I have five.

S-R: Did any of them follow your parents’ path?

Markham: One sister and two brothers are also Salvation Army officers. That’s not typical, by the way.

S-R: Tell me about the officer ranks?

Markham: That structure has been in place since the beginning. You start as a lieutenant. After a number of years of service and education you move up to captain, then on to major. The ranks of lieutenant colonel, colonel and commissioner are based on key administrative assignments. There’s one general, and he’s stationed in London at the Salvation Army’s international headquarters.

S-R: Is being a Salvation Army officer a job?

Markham: Most Salvation Army officers will tell you they don’t view it that way. They view it as a calling. My parents emphasized the importance of making a difference in other people’s lives.

S-R: I have to ask: If you were flying somewhere and the guy sitting next to you happened to be a major in the U.S. Army, would you say, “What a coincidence. I’m a major, too”?

Markham: (laugh) No. If someone asks what I do, I say I’m in the Salvation Army and I direct a community center. I’m also the pastor here on Sunday.

S-R: How many people in your congregation?

Markham: About 200.

S-R: Have you ever been a bell ringer?

Markham: Every year. So was Joan Kroc, by the way. All nonprofits have signature fundraising events – fancy dinners, auctions. For us it’s the kettles. Everybody recognizes that.

S-R: Does being associated with such a handsome facility surprise people who, when they think of the Salvation Army, picture modest bell ringers?

Markham: It can. What folks need to realize is that the Salvation Army has always been involved in lots of different activities. We work with communities to identify their unmet needs, and sometimes that unmet need is a recreation center. We had them long before Joan Kroc’s gift, but they were in more challenging environments. This donation allowed us to meet the needs of a whole new population. And we still do all the typical Salvation Army outreach sorts of things.

S-R: Why was Coeur d’Alene chosen for a Kroc Center?

Markham: The community demonstrated an unmet need and a strong commitment. Right away they set out to raise $8 million – their share of the project’s total $80 million budget, including a $35 million endowment.

S-R: Is it fair to say you’re meeting the needs of some very affluent people?

Markham: Yes, a lot of people with resources are members here. But their membership dues – $44 a month for an adult and $78 for families – help us provide scholarships for others who can’t afford the fees.

S-R: Where do you draw members from?

Markham: Mostly Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum, plus a few from Liberty Lake and Sandpoint.

S-R: Have you heard any resentment from local for-profit recreation centers?

Markham: There was some concern early on, but since then at least 12 other fitness facilities have opened here. Nothing like this. But I think we’ve raised the level of awareness and interest.

S-R: Do you anticipate being reassigned anytime soon?

Markham: I hope not. My wife and I have four years left before we retire, and we’d like to finish here because we plan to stay in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area.

S-R: What do you like most about your job?

Markham: The variety, and interacting with the people we serve. I’ve heard so many good stories about what people have been able to accomplish here.

S-R: Any surprises?

Markham: Experts who helped us get the center up and running predicted that if we worked really hard and did a good job, by the end of the first year we might have 5,000 members. Well, after three months we had 20,000. We’ve dropped down to 15,000 members since then, because the building can’t handle 20,000.

S-R: Your annual operating budget is $7.5 million. Is your salary comparable to what the director of a commercial fitness center would earn?

Markham: No. In fact, Salvation Army officers are paid the same whether they’re the national commander or a guy in Lewiston.

S-R: How much is that?

Markham: My wife and I together earn about $50,000 a year.

S-R: Are your employees compensated on a more competitive scale.

Markham: Yes.

S-R: Do some of them earn more than you?

Markham: Yes … But I have a great retirement plan. I get to go to heaven. (laugh)