‘If There Was One Soul Touched’ 

by Colonel Richard Munn

Rock-solid, reliable, savvy, and experienced soldiers often serve as the backbone of congregational life. Meet Deborah Maltby-Evans, local officer and musician in the Old Orchard Beach Corps, Maine, still investing in teens, still raising funds for youth trips, still playing flügelhorn solos in the band. 

Strength and dependability are hallmarks of Deb’s life. She’s a lifelong Salvationist, professional educator, and pedigree dog breeder. And it’s Deb who spearheaded the annual Salvation Army Christmas fundraising efforts at the elite 21 Club in Manhattan — brass quartets playing carols in shifts for days, weeks on end, all the way up to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. No exaggeration, many hundreds of thousands of dollars were collected in a boisterous, happy “pass the hat” routine spurred on by Deb, sharing her story there and tallying 50 straight years at the 21 Club. Supported by her husband, Craig, and son, CJ, and innumerable well-fed brass musicians, it is the stuff of legend. Without Deb and her steadfastness and investment in relationships, it would never have happened. 

So, SAconnects took the chance to engage Deb for an in-depth conversation and give you, our faithful readers, the story behind the story of a very special soldier. 

You come from a loved and respected Salvation Army family. Can you tell us about your upbringing and family of origin? 

On my mother’s side of the family, the beginnings go back to the early days of The Salvation Army in Scotland. On the Maltby side, my great-grandmother was instrumental in the beginning of the Army in Halifax, Nova Scotia, back in the 1880s. More up to date, my grandfather Colonel William Maltby is most well known for writing the chorus “Christ Is the Answer.” He was happy knowing that his granddaughter (me) continued to dedicate my life not only to our Lord and Savior, but my continued involvement with The Salvation Army. 

What stands out to you as a formative, impactful moment or season in your Christian journey? 

My involvement in Army programs kept me close to God. There was one time in my adult life that stood out in a way I never imagined. Craig and I attended Glen Eyrie, the National Seminar on Evangelism, in 1997, just a few months after we married. We attended workshops on evangelizing door-to-door in the communities around the area. I was partnered with a woman, a delegate from the Western Territory. We were both nervous about sharing the gospel with strangers. I prayed that God would help us all feel relaxed and comfortable. My prayers were clearly answered. We knocked on the doors of about 20 houses. There were seven houses where I was met by the dog answering the door! As a dog lover, this was my confirmation and the means used by God to relate to the people I was meeting. I was so fortunate to be able to pray with the folks that I met in those seven homes. 

Your long-standing relationship with the famed 21 Club in Manhattan is legendary. Can you tell us that wonderful story? 

Back to my grandfather. He was playing his cornet on a midtown corner in NYC. It was a snowy evening when the owners of the 21 Club walked by his kettle stand and invited him in for a cup of soup to warm up. Afterwards he asked if he could play carols for the patrons. He did! The patrons wanted to “gift” the Army, so someone grabbed a top hat out of the coatroom to pass around. That was the beginning of our annual Christmas effort at 21 Club. It was Christmas 1969 that I attended 21 Club for the first time. Scared to death, I sang and collected with a tambourine. I continued for 50 consecutive years until Christmas 2019!  

(Courtesy of Deborah Maltby-Evans)

I had the opportunity to meet so many folks there, Frank Sinatra, Mayor Bloomberg, President Nixon and President Clinton, the list could go on and on. There are many patrons of 21 who have become such good friends that I continue to keep in touch with them.  

My most memorable time was one Christmas when a patron was touched by the message of the carols and asked if I could pray with him. Right there in the lounge he met Christ. I have always said that in 50 years if there was one soul touched, that would make all the time spent there meaningful! Praise God! 

You have another quite unique vocation, pedigree dog breeding and top-level dog shows. Tell us more.  

(Courtesy of Deborah Maltby-Evans)

I have always loved God’s gift of animals. Noah is my hero! I have had many beautiful dogs in my life. Back in 1978 I visited the Wise family in England. Peter Wise, the deputy bandmaster at the Enfield Corps, had a litter of English Springer spaniel puppies. Well, that started my love for English Springer spaniels. I attended a few dog shows while I visited England and began showing “Enfield,” my import from England, here in the States. I soon began breeding and showing Springers.  

In 2019 I bred a litter that produced seven puppies, two of which were kept for show dogs. The female from that litter, Elizabeth, held two top titles within the ESSFTA (the governing club for English Springer spaniels in the U.S.). TIKI obtained runner-up Show Dog of 2023, in other words, the No. 2 English Springer spaniel in the USA. TIKI has been honored with multiple Best in Shows. I have had multiple champions, TIKI being my highest award. My heart dog. 

How is your soldiership expressed at this season in your life?  

I’ve always been willing to use the gifts and talents that God has given me. As a retired teacher, I still can use the gift of teaching as a substitute teacher on call, which sometimes feels like a full-time job. I serve as the Corps Cadets leader at Old Orchard Beach. I feel comfortable with the relationship I have with young people. I thank God that he continues to give me the strength to keep up with them :).  

I continue to play in the band keeping myself involved, and I’m ready to share the love of God with people I encounter, within the corps building, school classroom, or the dog show ring.  

Any further insights or gems of interest that will encourage our readers? 

I give all praise to my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for making me aware of my talents and service to building His Kingdom. I pray that I continue to serve in these many ways. I pray for our young people, that they continue to seek what God has before them. When I was younger, I came across my favorite verse of scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” For me this means strength to fulfill His will for my life, be it serving or fun, He is the center of it all! 

Thank you, Deb, what a beautiful and special story. You can count on this, the SAconnects team is cheering you, and TIKI, on.