Our Leadership

Majors Don and Helene Wildish

The Salvation Army of Seminole County, Florida have new Officers. Major Don and Helene Wildish returned to Seminole County in June of 2024. On June 4, 1983 The Wildish’s Married and their first home was in Sanford Florida. Don worked for The Salvation Army and Helene was employed in the Longwood, Florida area. In 1985 the Wildish’s entered The Salvation Army Officer’s Training College in Atlanta, Georgia. The Salvation Army of Seminole County sponsored the couple while at college sending them monthly care packages and pizza money. Upon graduation The Salvation Army sent the young couple not back to Florida but rather to Texas; Austin, Texas.

As young Lieutenants Don and Helene served in Austin, Corpus Christi, Pampa and Paris Texas. In Paris Texas the Wildish’s were assigned to oversee the construction of a new Salvation Army facility. Two years later the Wildish’s moved to Irving, Texas to oversee another building project. While in Irving, Texas a relationship was established with new owners of The Dallas Cowboys Jerry and Gene Jones. The first “Super Lunch” sponsored by The Dallas Cowboys was held in 1993 in The Salvation Army gymnasium. Over thirty years later The Super Lunch is still going strong. The Dallas Cowboys are proud of their relationship with The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army logo can be seen at every home game of The Dallas Cowboys. In 1994 – 1996 the Wildish’s served in south Texas in Victoria, Texas. In 1996 the Wildish’s returned to the Dallas, Texas area again to over see the operation of a very large youth community center in downtown Dallas, Texas; The Salvation Army Cedar Crest Comets. This youth community center won many awards; 6 time national champions in Pop Warner Youth Football, 12 time National Champions in Biddy Basketball, and 10 time National champions in Little Dribblers Youth Basketball. The Wildish’s served in Dallas, Texas from 1996-2005.

In June of 2005, The Wildish’s were transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi where they were asked to oversee the construction of another Salvation Army facility. This location was designed to be a large youth community center with swimming pool, performing arts, large sport fields and state of the art facility of it’s time. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina delayed those plans. The next 365 days The Wildish’s were involved with Emergency Disaster Relief to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Area.

In September of 2006, The Wildish’s transferred again to Meridian, Mississippi. In 2009 The Wildish’s returned to their home state of Florida to Gainesville, Florida. In 2011, The Wildish’s were transferred back to The Lone Star State. The Wildish’s served in Sherman, Conroe and Waxahachie, Texas. In Conroe, Texas the Wildish’s were asked to oversee their fourth building project for The Salvation Army.

In June of 2024 Majors Don and Helene Wildish returned to Seminole County, Florida. 38 years of experience in serving communities faithfully. It is amazing to return to the location where our journey as a married couple began. The Wildish’s have been asked to oversee a renovation to The Salvation Army facility in Seminole County. It is an honor and privilege for my wife and I to give back to the community that gave us our start in life.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done to this 50 plus year old building. The project is larger than the money available. The attention this facility needs is the exterior appearance, roof and areas of needs that are not seen but must be addressed. This facility is a beautiful designed community center with computer lab, game room, gymnasium for basketball and pickleball, large food pantry and classrooms designed for character building.

It is a blessing for us to return home. I want to thank everyone that has welcomed us upon our return. I look forward to meeting each of you. Please introduce yourself to my wife and I we would love to get to know you. Thank you, and may blessings be upon you.

Majors Don and Helene Wildish Commanding Officers Seminole County, Fl.