Salvation Army director retires after 13 years

MOSES LAKE — After roughly 13 years of service as the director of the Salvation Army of Grant County, Trudy Tobias retired.

Her last day was Dec. 31.

A retirement party was held in her honor at Memories R Forever in Moses Lake Wednesday night. About 30 people attended, including representatives from several Grant County communities who came to tell her thank you for her service.

Several people took turns addressing Tobias and the other guests, thanking her.

“There’s no price to put on what you do for the communities,” Warden Mayor Roldan Capetillo said. “From the city of Warden, thank you very much for what you’ve done.”

Salvation Army Board Member Joe Supinger presented Tobias with an the Everyday Hero Award. He said she worked each day to help others.

Kiwanis President Tom Heath said Tobias often worked “behind the scenes” helping people. Many people didn’t know how much work she did to help the community, he said.

“Your retirement is well deserved,” he added.

Moses Lake City Manager Joe Gavinski said she provided a much needed resource to Grant County. He said it’s the people who make the most of the organization and said Tobias was that person.

“If we weren’t able to do something, Trudy could do something,” said Ken Sterner with the North Columbia Community Action Council.

Salvation Army Community Relations Director Joann Hosszu read a statement from Ephrata Mayor Chris Jacobson.

In the letter he thanked Tobias for providing a genuine understanding and empathy for those in need.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” said new Salvation Army Director Ken Palek. “When you’ve been here as long as Trudy has, there’s a lot of people she’s helped.”

He recalled how she made people feel comfortable when they asked for assistance.

Hosszu told the group about other accomplishments made by Tobias.

She’s served various church groups, Hunger and Homeless Coalition, Moses Lake Kiwanis Club, the community action council, worked with family care and child services groups and was a dairy farmer. Tobias is educated in general home economics, nutrition, horticulture and computer technology, Hosszu said.

After several people expressed their gratitude for Tobias, she spoke to the group.

Tobias laughed when she said it was somewhat of a relief to leave due to a newly implemented and slightly complex computer system at the Salvation Army office.

She chose to work with the organization because she saw a need for help, she said.

Tobias said she always liked how the Salvation Army is organized like an army.

“The people who join are soldiers,” she said smiling.

Tobias plans to spend her retirement on her farm spending more time taking care of her horses and pets, she said.