CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Salvation Army Advisory Board has voted to resign following allegations that former Salvation Army Captain Jimmy Steele sold Kroger cards on ebay. Board Chairman Robert Burchett said all but two of the board members resigned after the decision was made at a recent board meeting.
Burchett talked about the situation with the Salvation Army. “Even though we’re the ones who raised the money and donated it to them, it becomes their money, and if it’s stolen from them it’s in their hands. We don’t have any evidence, it all goes through them,” said Burchett.
Burchett added that he and other board members apparently didn’t feel comfortable raising money for a group that has shown in the past that they are not accountable for the money that is given to them. It is reportedly not the first time the situation has arisen where funds have been misused.
“We’re all trying to do God’s work. As board members and people who care about the shelter and care about the people that need that place, how do we do it without hurting them?” Burchett said.
Burchett said before they resigned the board asked them to turn the shelter and the chapel over to another nonprofit group that the board could support and raise money for. The Salvation Army indicated they were going to try and keep it going on their own.
*Editor’s Note: Reporter Lee Erwin is currently a Salvation Army board member. He did not participate in the recent vote.