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Captains Jan and Frankie Zuniga took command of the Salvation Army in Orange in June of 2017.
Now, exactly six years later, the Zuniga’s are being transferred to McAllen, with the hopes of duplicating what they have been able to do here, with the help of community support like they’ve received here.
Captains are moved around after a number of years for various reasons. It could be because of retirement within the ranks or because their talents may be needed at another station.
The Zuniga’s came here from Waxahachie. I asked Captain Jan what she first thought when they were assigned to Orange, and what’s her thought about leaving.
With a smile she said she didn’t know where Orange was at first. Then when they came into Orange County, the first road they took off of I-10 was FM1135 and she said, “Oh my goodness, there is nothing here.” Which is true on 1135. But as Jan, Frankie and their two daughters took FM 105 into Orangefield to their new home they began to get a feel of our small corner of Texas.
Now that they’re leaving, Zuniga says, “It’s breaking our hearts.” But she knows that being moved around is part of the job in “the Army” as she calls it.
Frankie will be returning to McAllen where he once worked before becoming a Captain. McAllen is just a bit bigger than greater Orange with a population of 144,000.
Hurricane Harvey hit in August the year that the Zungia’s arrived. And as we all know, each year since it’s been something else like tornadoes, freezes, Covid and other storms.
So needless to say, the Zuniga’s hit the ground running, providing food, clothing, and spiritual guidance to those in need.
Orange County United Way Director Maureen McAllister said the two entities really began to cross paths during Harvey when space was needed for supplies, etc. that were coming in.
“It started a great relationship that has continued to evolve,” McAllister said. “We’re really going to miss Jan and Frankie.
Capt. Jan was the first to say that the greater Orange community went above and beyond for the Army.
She mentioned a number of businesses and organizations that have been there to not only help the Salvation Army, but they also have contributed from creating their own programs with the Army as the beneficiary.
That includes the recent expansion of the Salvation Army Food Pantry to Lamar State College Orange. The goal of the facility is to serve the LSCO students who may be in need while trying to earn a degree.
She also mentioned the great spur of the moment ideas like the red kettle challenge where one group would ring the bell at one end of Wal-Mart while challenging the other group was at the other end. There was WOS vs. LCM and Dow vs Chevron just to name a few. “We raised enough money in four hours which allowed us to meet our goal. Once again the community got behind us and I don’t think Wal-Mart has fully recovered from that day!”
She was also teary eyed when she said the Orange Community pushed her to be a better Captain.
“The Army didn’t always have a great name here in Orange. We were challenged and pushed by some to be a better organization when we got here. Some asked why should they invest in the Army?”
The Zuniga’s got to work, got the needed training for their employees and volunteers, got involved with the community and in return, the community got involved with them. They set a high bar albeit one the Orange area deserves.
“I’ve learned so much from the people here. We will leave as better Captains, better leaders, better people.”
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
Above: The Zuniga’s were treated to a gift and cake from the Orange Rotary Club Tuesday.
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