27 July 2012

The Salvation Army Northwest Division announces the appointment of Lieutenant Melissa Xiong as Assistant Corps Officer at the Federal Way Corps, near Seattle. She will assist Major Khampaeng and Major Khamsaveuy Saengthasy, who have been Corps Officers in Federal Way for nine years.

The Federal Way Corps is an active Corps in The Salvation Army Northwest Division. It serves more than 100 people per month. Among the variety of programs and services offered to the community in Federal Way are rent/utility assistance, feeding programs, after-school tutoring and meals for kids and teens, summer camp, back-to-school programs, and holiday assistance.

Lieutenant Xiong will focus on children's programs and services, including the after-school programs in Federal Way. She is especially looking forward to implementing a brass band, a singing company for youth, and a hula group. 

Originally from Fresno, Lieutenant Xiong was raised in Tulare, CA. She had been a long-time participant in activities with The Salvation Army, and even volunteered to lead ministry projects for younger children at the Corps. It was her volunteer ministry work that led her to consider becoming an Officer with The Salvation Army. She received an Associate of Arts degree in Ministry from The Salvation Army College for Officer Training in Crestmont, CA, and was commissioned as an Officer in June 2012.