WEST PITTSTON — There are new faces in charge at the Salvation Army — two of them to be exact.
Lt. Gavin Yeatts and his wife Lt. Holly Yeatts were recently introduced as the new administrators of the Greater Pittston Salvation Army.
Previous administrator Cpt. Misty Coffelt was transferred to Cortland, New York which Gavin said is customary within the organization.
“We get moved around fairly often, usually around every three to five years,” he said. “It’s just a transfer of leadership.”
Prior to moving to West Pittston, the Yeatts couple was an hour apart from one another with Gavin in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Holly in Suffern, New York, finishing her training to be an ordained minister with the Salvation Army.
The two were given their assignment to West Pittston, got married in June, and then moved to the area.
“It all happened at the same time,” Gavin said. “It was marriage, honeymoon, moving into our new quarters, taking over the Salvation Army here, so it was a lot happening.”
Since coming to the area, the two have been quick to get themselves acclimated to their surroundings and meeting with the residents.
Holly grew up in Wilkes-Barre, but admitted that West Pittston is still unfamiliar to her.
“I stayed in Wilkes-Barre but never really came down towards West Pittston often,” she said. “I probably know more of Wilkes-Barre than I do here.”
The two have already begun plans for events and fundraisers throughout the year and recently concluded a six-week day camp for children.
Upcoming events for them include marching in the Tomato Festival Parade on Aug. 18 where they will also collect donations and overseeing their largest fundraisers of the year, such as angel trees and kettle programs.
“It’s what most people know about the Salvation Army is our Kettle Season and Angel Tree Program,” Gavin said. “We help a lot of families during that time.”
Holly and Gavin are also working on building relationships with organizations such as the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Pittston.
“The previous administration did an excellent, excellent job,” Gavin said. “So, a lot of the relationships between the Salvation Army and the community have already been built. It’s just walking in and shaking hands.”
Gavin and Holly’s primary objective is to preach gospel with their congregation at 11 a.m. every Sunday and Sunday School at 10 a.m. every Sunday.
There’s also Women’s Ministries at 6 p.m. every Thursday and there will be Bible Studies for children when school resumes.
“Our whole mission is to preach the word of God to guide people spiritually,” Holly said. “We focus more on the well-being of the whole person. We feed them, we clothe them, but most importantly we want to make sure spiritually that they’re okay.”
