PRESS RELEASE
Community invited to Meet-and-Greet event on August 20
MERIDIAN, Miss. (August 3, 2026) – The Salvation Army of Meridian welcomes Major Holly Needham as its new officer, and the community is invited to meet her at a come-and-go reception on August 20 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 1115 25th Ave. in Meridian.
The event will feature food, fellowship, and conversation, giving donors, partners, and neighbors a chance to meet Major Holly and share their perspectives on the community’s needs.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Meridian and continue the mission of The Salvation Army in this community,” said Major Holly. “I look forward to listening, learning, and serving alongside our donors, community partners, staff, and volunteers as we work together to share hope and meet needs in Christ’s name.”
Salvation Army officers are periodically transferred to different appointments as part of their ministry service. Major Holly was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in June 2002 and was appointed to Charleston, West Virginia, in June 2002. She came to Mississippi by way of Atlanta, Georgia. Major Holly is honored to be part of the Meridian community and looks forward to continuing her ministry and service in the area.
Major Holly was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents who were Salvation Army officers; this meant moving around as a child, first to St. Petersburg, Florida, then to Charlotte, North Carolina, then back to Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating from Stone Mountain High School, she attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
In 2000, Holly entered The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training in Atlanta, Georgia, and, after a two-year program, was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer and ordained as a minister of the gospel in June 2002. She has served in several roles, including Corps Officer in several cities, Assistant Divisional Youth Secretary in two divisions, and Assistant Family Life Center Director at the College for Officer Training. The farthest place she’s been stationed is Dundee, Scotland.
Major Holly looks forward to building relationships throughout Meridian, sharing the love of Christ, and working alongside the community to help neighbors find hope and stability.
The Salvation Army also serves as a church and welcomes the community to join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at The Salvation Army, located at 1115 25th Ave., Meridian, MS 39301.
For more information on the event or about the programs and services The Salvation Army of Meridian provides, please call (601) 483-6156 or visit salvationarmymeridian.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army helped nearly 29 million people in 2025 overcome poverty, addiction, and spiritual and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination. From providing food, shelter, and eviction prevention assistance to emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, youth programs, and spiritual enrichment, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at more than 7,400 centers of operation across the United States. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.
