The gift of hope: Meet Darren Wiseman

Every week, I will be profiling an extraordinary human being who lives in our community. If you know someone who is doing something interesting with their life, I want to hear about it. Send me an email at [email protected].

He’s like a teddy bear. You’re going to want to hug and squeeze him. And he’s also a bit like Santa Claus: never one to judge, extremely kind and giving, a good listener and merry all year round. But Christmastime always brings out the best in him.

His name is Darren Wiseman and he is the main man behind the Salvation Army Huntsville Community Church and Family Services. His official title is corps officer (so you can address him as Major Darren Wiseman). He’s the community ministries officer, the church pastor and he oversees the operation of the Salvation Army Thrift Store as well.

He will tell you he’s the guy you need to see for anything – a (generous) donation, the food bank, social services or the Thrift Store. He works with a small group of exceptional people (only four others!) so it’s like a little family at the Salvation Army’s Mary Street building.

“But, you know, behind every great man is an even greater woman,” Darren says with a gentle chuckle. “We’re partners on this mission.”

He’s talking about his wife, Suzann, who shares the same title, duties and responsibilities as him. Suzann is also a pastor and the two rotate leading the church’s Sunday services throughout the year. Darren gushes about her. He couldn’t do what he’s doing without her. And he wouldn’t want to either.

Darren and his wife Suzann. The two are involved in every aspect of the local Salvation Army and share the same title as corps officers. (Photo supplied by Darren Wiseman)

They have been working for the Salvation Army for a total of 20 years, and relocated from St. John, New Brunswick to Huntsville back in 2012 after becoming appointed to opening positions at the church. They have no plans to leave any time soon. He originally hails from a small town in Newfoundland and this town reminds him of his homeland. It’s “just the best” and so are the people who live in it.

We absolutely love it here. We couldn’t have asked to go anywhere better. I’ve never heard it so much as I have this Christmas: the people in Huntsville are the most amazing, giving, loving people you will ever meet and I don’t care where you go.

Darren always has something on the go, but he’s extra busy right now. Endless hours of planning and organizing goes into making Christmas miracles happen. Two weeks ago, a fundraiser was held at Family Place Restaurant and Pizza, followed by the annual food drive, then a radiothon and then the toy drive. The last week has been really crazy with all the Christmas hampers being prepared. As of Tuesday, he was still getting calls to pick up toy and food donations at stores around town. It’s a huge but absolutely vital undertaking.

The last week has been extremely busy at the Salvation Army, but that doesn’t mean staff and volunteers don’t know how to have fun.

“It’s exhilarating,” he says of all the hubbub. “You leave here some nights at 11 p.m. and we’re exhausted. But we always walk out of here with big smiles on our faces. Knowing you have helped alleviate the stress from a young family’s life, that’s amazing. It’s about bringing joy to all these families. And we couldn’t do it without the support from the people. They have given to us the ability to bring joy to less fortunate families. Their gift to us has helped us give gifts to other people. And our staff and volunteers always go above and beyond.”

And if that doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, this will: this year the Salvation Army helped over 300 local families in need. That means brand new toys for every girl and boy as well as Christmas hampers and a turkey for families. The hampers are bursting with all kinds of amazing things, which makes everything that much easier (not to mention special) for so many folks.

When you’re organizing Christmas for over 300 families things have to run smooth. Darren calls it a privilege to be “right there in the middle when all this wonderful stuff happens.” He wants everyone to know how hard the staff and volunteers work together leading up to the big day (yesterday) when people began pouring in to pick up their gifts and hampers.

Even with the amount of toys we get at Christmas, it’s never enough. But we had toys shipped from a distribution centre in Toronto and this year we have so many toys because we did that. It’s a lot fun, but we couldn’t do any of it without the love and support from the people. I think this year the need was greater and the response of people giving to the Salvation Army was unbelievable. Kettles were up by $5,000. We are definitely blessed by the people here.

Knowing the Salvation Army is making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is what continues to bring Darren joy every single year. He, too, knows what it’s like to face the holiday season with uncertainty. More than two decades ago, when he was a young man struggling to provide for his family, the Salvation Army made his family’s Christmas bright. He understands the struggle is real. But there is hope, he says. And it’s close to home. Because of the Salvation Army.

Here’s something unique about Darren: there’s nothing in his office on Mary Street that can’t be touched or looked at by a child. It’s kid-friendly. Just like he is. Seeing the expressions of joy and gratitude and the squeals of delight when kids get to come pick out a new toy right before Christmas makes all the craziness worthwhile. For Darren, this is a dream job. It’s his purpose, his happiness. And right now he’s especially happy.

“It’s just like being Santa Claus,” he says.

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