‘Share a Hug in a Mug’

by Warren L. Maye

“Every graduate deserves to be celebrated,” says Major Candice “Candy” McMillen, corps officer of the Cambridge, Ohio, Corps. For the first time this year, The Salvation Army and Starbucks will partner in an exciting community initiative, an open house to honor the city’s 122 high school graduates for 2025 on April 26.  

Beyond providing the graduates with gifts, refreshments, and recognition for their achievements, the event will touch on broader contexts such as community engagement, mental health concerns among youth, and the importance of building relationships with families, teens, and children — particularly those facing economic challenges and homelessness. 

By fostering relationships and creating inclusive opportunities, Major Candy and Captain Edward McMillen aim to uplift struggling students who can feel isolated or unsupported. Future plans include expanding outreach efforts into surrounding areas while maintaining flexibility based on participant needs, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

“Every student in the high school received an invitation along with their families,” said Major Candy. “No RSVPs received yet, but we hope to attract families by Monday.”  

A collaboration with Starbucks  

The McMillens are not the only ones excited about the possibilities. During their eight-year appointment as officers in Cambridge, they have cultivated a solid partnership with local businesses, most notably the management of Starbucks. “We’ve actually received their good neighbor reward three years in a row,” said Major Candy.  

“When they first opened, I was at their window every day — in uniform. I’m there once a day, sometimes twice a day. I look at it as an investment. It’s an investment in the future,” said Major Candy. To support the graduation party, she said, customers at Starbucks can purchase tumblers or mugs that will be donated back to support students. 

“Share a hug in a mug,” says a promotion posted on the corps’ Facebook page. “Purchase any reusable cup or bottle and donate it for our collection to be given to The Salvation Army of Cambridge. Your donation will be given to a graduate of Cambridge City Schools as part of their GRAD BAG … at a Graduation Open House.” 

Building relationships 

During their eight-year appointment in Cambridge, the McMillens have learned the importance of creating trust within this small but close-knit Appalachian community. People who have engaged with the corps through programs like pickleball have explored church involvement without feeling pressured.  

“Unless you find a way to create a relationship, they’re not going to listen to the gospel,” said Major Candy. “And even through our pickleball program, we have six people attending regularly on Sunday who’d never stepped into our corps, who are now attending church. And that’s our main goal at the end of the program. But to start, we just want to create relationships. Because we don’t want to hit them over the head with the gospel. We want you to get to know us. 

“We have to find out who people are, where they are, and work with that. Even our bingo has become its own prayer group. We’ll share prayer concerns. And every Sunday we pray over their concerns, and they know it. To me, that’s more valuable than trying to force them to be there on Sunday. Someday, they’ll find a church that works for them. And that’s great. But they at least know that we are a church.” 

Keep on growing 

Expansion plans include involving more schools beyond just Cambridge High School in future events; forming a student advisory board from middle and high schools to better understand students’ needs and interests; creating activities based on student feedback such as homework hub, gym access, game nights (like Uno tournaments), and cooking classes (like cake decorating); and forming a Good Grade Brigade to encourage all efforts regardless of grades. 

The Salvation Army in Cambridge, Ohio, offers a full-time food pantry to help individuals and families in need, as well as rental assistance, youth groups, adult Bible study, and performing arts programs. A Summer Sack lunch program provides meals for children during the summer months. Holiday assistance helps families during Christmas with food and gift support.