The St. Croix Corps of The Salvation Army have installed Majors Joe and Lisa Irvine. The majors arrived on St. Croix in early July from the Northeast, succeeding Captain Steven Thomas who was reassigned to Ohio.
The Irvines have over 30 years of experience in The Salvation Army, having served in over 10 corps, including Brooklyn, New York and Chicago. For most of their career, they have been administrators for The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers’ faith-based residential, work therapy addiction recovery programs. The nearest Adult Rehabilitation Center to the Virgin Islands is in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This is a great program for those who have an addiction and are looking for the help. In the past The Salvation Army Corps in the U.S. Virgin Islands have assisted many Virgin Islanders afflicted with alcohol and drug addiction to receive the treatment they need on the road to recovery. It’s [an] amazing program, and three out of the four that graduate are able to return to work and society sober.
The Irvines hit the ground running, introducing themselves throughout the St. Croix community over the July 4th weekend and meeting people throughout the island where they handed out pamphlets, masks and ice pops for everyone they encountered.
In August, the St. Croix Corps received a donation of 100 backpacks filled with school supplies from a very generous donor on St. Thomas, Mervin Berkeley. The Virgin Islands Department of Justice, Division of Paternity and Child Support Division donated 50 backpacks. The Salvation Army distributed close to 200 backpacks altogether to children on St. Croix who were quite excited about starting the 2021-2022 school year with the tools they needed.
Last week, the St. Croix Corps set up The Salvation Army tent and served over 60 people a hot meal. The corps officers plan on doing this every week for those in need throughout the island.
Major Lisa Irvine said, “We are so excited to be here on the beautiful island of St. Croix to serve the people who need it most. We have a lot of work that needs to be done, and we are looking forward to getting at it.”
“The mission of The Salvation Army is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination,” Major Joe Irvine said.
The majors will be putting together a St. Croix Corps Advisory Board, composed of local volunteers. They will also be networking with local agencies to ensure that The Salvation Army is “Doing Most Good,” helping the island community and those most in need.
The majors encourage the public to stop by or give them a call to welcome them to the island. The organization is always looking for volunteers in helping them to serve the community. It is accepting monetary donations throughout the year to help support the needs of the community and youth.
For more information about programs and services, call St. Croix Corps Major Joe Irvine or Major Lisa Irvine at 244-8747.
To donate to The Salvation Army – St. Croix Corps, please send a donation to
The Salvation Army -St. Croix Corps.
Post Office Box 742
Frederiksted, St. Croix 00841.
All donations that are made to the St. Croix Corps stay on island to help those in need. In the check memo please note ‘St. Croix Corps.’
“You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.” – William Booth, founder, The Salvation Army
