Swift Current's Salvation Army is under new leadership, and they didn't have to look far for replacements. 

Following the retirement of Majors Don and Elizabeth Grad, Captain Ed Dean and his wife Captain Charlotte Dean will be taking over as the leaders of Swift Current's Salvation Army. 

For the last 12 years, they have worked at the Maple Creek Salvation Army. Ed Dean said once they knew that there was a need in Swift Current, they offered to help. 

"There was a need here in Swift Current that wasn't able to be filled, so we offered to assist," he said. "It's important that the Salvation Army remains active in Swift Current."

Dean said that it had been so far, so good since taking over on July 1.

"It's been an adjustment as is any new thing that you do, but it's been great," he said. "The people are good, there is a good team on the ground here, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."

He said with the new responsibilities; it presents new challenges.

"There are always needs and what are the resources there to meet those needs," he said. "Whether it is clothing in our thrift store for back to school, food on the shelves so we can meet the needs of those who are coming to our food bank. Volunteers are an important part of who we are as a Salvation Army. We perceive all of our volunteers that come alongside us to help us do what we do." 

"The Swift Current Salvation Army has a larger volume of people,” Dean continued when speaking on some of the challenges they face. “We are going from having two staff to having multiple staff, and that has its challenges in itself when we are used to being the hands on the ground, now we have to step back a little bit and allow the staff to do their jobs."

Dean added that he and his wife look forward to being on the ground in Swift Current and making connecting with the residents in the City.