Behind the Shield: Mark Rohlfing, Advisory Board Member, The Salvation Army Milwaukee County
Mark Rohlfing has been involved with The Salvation Army for the past 25 years as an Advisory Board Member. He serves on the Community Board and the Property Committee. Mark is the Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department for the last 7.5 years. He has been in the fire service for the last 34 years. Read more about Mark below:
Q. How did you first learn about The Salvation Army?
A. I spent the first 25 years of my fire service career with the Omaha NE Fire Department. The Salvation Army canteen provided rehab services for the Department. They would be on scene at every multiple alarm fire and major incidents. They provided us with hot & cold drinks, food and warm gloves. The members of the SA response team were amazing.
Q. What is your favorite part about being involved with The Salvation Army?
A. Meeting the dedicated volunteers who work alongside the officers and employees of the Salvation Army. This includes other board members and the innumerable people who volunteer to help with the many worthy services the Salvation Army provides.
Q. What has been your favorite experience at The Salvation Army?
A. The first Milwaukee County Salvation Golf outing. We golfed all 18 holes in the pouring rain and had a great time. The event rose close to $100,000 dollars and it remains the best golf outing I’ve ever attended.
Q. What is one thing you believe the world should know about The Salvation Army?
A. They provide for our most needy citizens, every day of the year. The officers dedicate their life to Christ and the service of our needy citizens. Also, your donations are used wisely, 86 cents of every dollar goes directly to the services the Salvation Army provides our citizens.
Q. What are 3 words you would use to describe The Salvation Army?
A. Kindness, dignity and humility.
Q. What is your favorite project to work on?
A. The Red Kettle Campaign, I had the honor of being the 2015 Red Kettle Campaign Chair. It is wonderful to witness the generosity of our community during the Christmas season. Whether is it attending the kick-off, manning a kettle ringing the bell or attending a Christmas event to support the campaign it is amazing to see everyone contributing to the campaign to help fund the work of the Salvation Army.
Q. Is there anything you’d like to add?
A. My first impression of the Salvation Army was on a dark, cold night in Omaha at a fire scene. I was cold and wet and my gloves were soaking wet and frozen. I went to the Salvation Army canteen for some hot coffee and found a bag of dry cotton gloves. I was never so happy to have a dry pair of gloves. The volunteer made sure I took several pairs, the extra’s to keep in my coat for future use. The gloves helped me warm my hands that night and I used similar gloves over the years at many other cold fire scenes to get my keep my hands warm and dry.
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