James Knight

“In the U.S. Army, we are taught to protect the person standing to your left and to your right,” says James Knight. “The Salvation Army is like that too. You find ways to help the person to your left and to your right.”

Every August, The Salvation Army in Williamsport, Pa., comes out to support the World Series Grand Slam Parade, hosted by one of its neighbors, Little League Baseball. The parade celebrates the 20 teams that have made it to the Little League World Series, with 40,000 people attending and over 100 participating organizations and sponsors.

Salvation Army volunteer James Knight will be there as well, but he will likely be unrecognizable in costume as Shieldy, the Salvation Army mascot, posing for photos, laughing with the crowd, and promoting the work of the Williamsport Corps.

“I know some are going to say, look at this crazy guy in his costume again, but it doesn’t bother me,” says James. “It means you’ve noticed me, I got your attention, and now you know that The Salvation Army is here.”

As a child, James played basketball with his brother Kenny at the Williamsport Corps gym. When he became an adult, he joined the U.S. Army and did tours in Kuwait and Afghanistan. In 2021, a year after retirement, James moved back to Williamsport.

“People always say they’re going to come back home one day but never do. I did,” says James. “When I returned, I became involved at The Salvation Army, not to fill my time, or because I was bored. I just wanted to help others. My parents taught me to always find a way to give, even if it’s just a sandwich.”

The U.S. Army mentality never leaves a soldier, even in retirement. It took James a long time to stop instinctively referring to everyone as “ma’am” or “sir.” But that same mentality made him want to find new ways to serve his community through the Williamsport Corps. That included helping to distribute food, driving the bus on Sundays to bring people to church, and being a comforting presence to the veterans who come to The Salvation Army.

“When you enlist,” says James, “you’re there to go to war, but you’re also there to take care of one another. It’s a brotherhood, and if I see another service member feeling nervous or scared, I pull them to the side and talk to them.

“Even though we have a veterans center and hospital in Williamsport, a lot of vets are still in need of help and guidance. Many of them have mental illnesses and have seen things that they don’t talk about, because it makes them relive it. I think of all the veterans that have been neglected or who turned to suicide. That could’ve been me.”

James credits The Salvation Army for helping him with his own struggles. Though he was raised in the Baptist church, he now attends the corps.

“We’re a family here. Sometimes if I’m having a bad day or just feel overwhelmed, the pastors know to send me home or call my brother to come get me. They send me food if I get sick. That’s another reason I stay—because the people here are so good to me.”

James, who has been honored for his volunteer work, would prefer the spotlight to be on that good that The Salvation Army does. Still, he’s happy to be part of it, even if it’s from inside a costume.

“The families that live around here don’t get to see the Easter Bunny or the Grinch. If they do, it costs money they might not have. It means a lot to them to know that someone cares enough to give them that experience for free,” says Knight.

“And it’s not just the kids who like it! I dress up as Santa Claus for the corps’ Christmas tree auction and for the seniors in our Golden Agers ministry. They love meeting Santa too. It’s a lot of fun to see people smile.

“If you’re not making people smile, then you’re in the wrong business. And I’m very much in the right business.”