The Salvation Army

Special Section: Combined Federal Campaign 2009

Marine’s Wife Helps Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army

By Matthew Pochily
Director, Public Relations/Website, The Salvation Army, Tidewater Area Command

Diane Vanous, the wife of Marine Corps Col. Mark Vanous, is a founding member of The Hampton Roads Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, as well as regular volunteer in the Social Services Department at The Salvation Army. However, it’s the work that Vanous does during the month of December for The Salvation Army that has the largest impact.

Since 2003, Diane has been the distribution manager for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Distribution Center. As December approaches, and many times a location for the distribution center is still not secured, Diane works behind the scenes, coordinating with Marines on delivery of collected toys and the Marines’ assistance in setting up the distribution center. Since 2000, the Marine Corps has designated The Salvation Army as the beneficiary of their Toys for Tots campaign, making the task of distribution manager all the more involved.

Once the distribution center is secured, Vanous coordinates with The Salvation Army staff and volunteers to ensure that clients through the depot are served efficiently and receive the maximum amount of toys, teddy bears, clothing and food for their children and families.

“Without Diane we’d be lost,” said Maj. Lewis Reckline of The Salvation Army. “She knows our process, she knows our clientele and she knows the Marines – a combination like that, matched with her passion, makes her a very special woman who helps thousands of people in just a few short weeks.”

After five years of running the Christmas Depot, one would expect anyone to have it down to a science and rest on the status quo, but not Vanous. She can be seen attending the monthly Christmas meetings at The Salvation Army, and even to the most veteran staff member, a suggestion from Vanous is always taken seriously.

“Diane has a passion and work ethic that are hard to find,” said Maj. Jacqulyn Reckline of The Salvation Army. “Her energy and organization inspires the Marines when volunteering at the Christmas Depot and inspires me during Women’s Auxiliary meetings.”

Prior to her current role with The Salvation Army at Christmas time, Vanous coordinated the dressing and donation of teddy bears through her church. In 2006, after three years in her leadership role at the Christmas Depot, Vanous was a founding member of the Hampton Roads Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. Three years after being charted, The Women’s Auxiliary has raised and contributed more that $75,000 to The Salvation Army’s programs and services as well as having a large involvement in the furnishing, decoration and programming for the recently opened transitional housing program for homeless single women and women with children, HOPE Village.

In her spare volunteer time, Vanous volunteers with the Social Services Department at The Salvation Army. When short staffed in Social Services, she offers assistance as a Case Manager, meeting with clients and helping prepare documentation so that clients can receive food supplements, rental and utility assistance.

To support The Salvation Army – Tidewater Area Command, designate CFC #36213.