HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) — The Salvation Army of Dothan is welcoming its new corps officer.

Major Linda Payton has been a Salvation Army officer for the past 31 years. She has been stationed all over the United States, holding various positions with the organization.

However, her background with the Salvation Army started before she was even born. She tells WDHN her family has been serving the organization for generations with her grandparents being one of the first Corp. Officers in the late 1800s.

Deanne and Nathan Jones had served as captains in the Circle City for two years before being re-assigned to Stuart, Florida.

Payton said she has already heard so much already about how the community’s supports the Salvation Army’s mission, which is why she is excited to serve and bring her experience to the Wiregrass.

“I started off as an assistant and I have been in command of different core units across the south,” Major Payton said. “Most recently I was at our territorial headquarters in Atlanta and I oversaw the work of what we call community care ministry.”

She says donating money isn’t the only way the community can give back and wants to challenge the Wiregrass to volunteer since the organization is always in need of helping hands.