Salvation Army couple taking south state duties

MODESTO -- Capt. Michael Paugh, who led the Modesto Citadel Corps for 18 months, has been reassigned to The Salvation Army's Torrance Corps in Southern California.

Sunday was the last day in Modesto for Paugh and his wife, Capt. Beth Paugh.

The Modesto Citadel Corps should have a new corps officer in July, said Brian Aird, business coordinator for Modesto operations.

In the meantime, Aird and Capt. Lisa Smith will handle operations until retired officers arrive March 18 to oversee operations until July.

The Modesto Citadel Corps has an annual budget of about $4.2 million and helps tens of thousands of people annually through such programs as its homeless shelter, food bank, social services, noon meal, coat drive, worship services, and holiday food and toy giveaways.

The Salvation Army also operates the Red Shield Center in south Modesto, which provides tutoring, computer labs, athletics and other services for children. The center has an annual budget of about $700,000.

The group is in the midst of completing its phase-two renovations at its homeless and transitional living shelter at Ninth and D streets near downtown. Aird said the $1.2 million project should be done by April.

Aird said the Paughs' departure does not affect the possibility of the group working with the Modesto Gospel Mission on opening a day center for the homeless. But many questions remain to be answered, and the boards of the two organizations have yet to meet to discuss whether it makes sense to team up on a center.

Aird said the Paughs will be assisting the Torrance corps officer, who has been diagnosed with a serious illness. He said it's not unusual for the group to reassign officers based on its needs.

Michael Paugh did not return a phone call Tuesday.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.