For Salvation Army veteran, emphasis is on helping clients

MyLife section of Commercial Appeal

August 15, 2008

A kitchen attendant turned supervisor has spent more than half of her life helping serve others at The Salvation Army.

Maggie Robinson's long journey with The Salvation Army began in 1972 when she met Brigadier Gertrude Purdue, who with her husband served as Memphis Area Commander from 1962-1973. Robinson had been recommended for a position in the kitchen. When Brig. Purdue asked Robinson if she could cook for a crowd, the response was "I cook for my four boys -- and that's a lot of cooking." Thus began her career with The Salvation Army, first as a cook, then as a dietitian. Today she is food service manager and has a staff of six.

When she became a Salvation Army employee, Robinson, the sole supporter of her four young sons, lived in Lamar Terrace. She and her sons joined The Salvation Army Corps (church) and became actively involved in worship and family-centered activities. In fact, The Salvation Army's focus on serving others and his own personal experiences with the organization led one of her sons to become a Salvation Army officer. That son, Major Neal Richardson, has been a Salvation Army officer for more than 20 years and has risen through the ranks to become the Divisional Commander of the Midland Division, which is headquartered in St. Louis.

Robinson, who turned 71 on Aug. 2, has met many interesting people through her time with The Salvation Army. Although it is sometimes difficult when a family she has served leaves the shelter, she says she prays for them and tries not to get too attached. "I always know it is a good thing when they leave the program because it means they are doing better," Robinson said.

Robinson loves working for The Salvation Army because it gives her a chance to serve others and to prepare food for them. "I cook for our clients like they are my own family," she said.

The Salvation Army not only meets the physical needs of the people it serves but it meets their spiritual needs as well. Robinson has seen all different kinds of people walk through the doors of The Salvation Army and is grateful that the organization always accepts them with open arms. It is one of the things she loves most about working for the nonprofit organization.

Robinson said, "I love people, and this is where God wants me to be."

For more information about the Salvation Army, visit their Web site at salvationarmymemphis.org.