Revitalizing Twin Cities Echelon

by Craig Dirkes

Hannah Field, 24, is leading the charge to revitalize the Salvation Army’s young professional group Echelon in the Twin Cities. Nationwide Echelon seeks to mobilize the next generation of volunteers and advances the Army’s mission through fundraising, volunteering, social events and networking.

Echelon in the Twin Cities had been growing rapidly until the pandemic. As the newest president of Twin Cities Echelon, Hannah aims to recapture that momentum. She is joined by a new leadership team she helped assemble.

“Right now, we are making sure our goals and vision are set,” said Hannah, who works as a social media manager for an advertising agency.

Members are getting involved in ongoing Salvation Army fundraisers and volunteer activities, such as the 2 Million Pounds food drive weigh-in event this past spring, the Down for the Challenge rappelling fundraiser this summer and will be helping with kettles and toy shop at Christmas.

Hannah met The Salvation Army while volunteering at last year’s 2 Million Pounds food drive. Soon after, she saw a social media post about Echelon that piqued her curiosity.

“By joining Echelon, I thought I could benefit myself and further my leadership skills while giving back to a charity I was interested in,” she said.

Hannah is proud to volunteer for The Salvation Army because she is enthusiastic about the mission.

“The Salvation Army is such a massive, worldwide group,” she said. “At the same time, you can feel confident that the work being done locally benefits our neighbors, right here. It feels good knowing that our work improves the communities we see every day.”