Salvation Army Volunteer Shines Despite Physical Challenges

Salvation Army personnel responding to fires, tornadoes and other calamities would be lost without Matt Stepaniak, the communications guru behind The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) division.

“I can’t tell you how many times my phones ring every day,” said Stepaniak, who volunteers from his Bloomington home using two phone lines and six radios.

Stepaniak, 35, is a one-man information center. Day and night, he is on call to connect local Salvation Army personnel with government first responders, and vise versa. When not volunteering for The Salvation Army, he performs similar communications services for the North Central Region Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

“Matt is just a radio or phone call away through nearly all of our responses, day or night,” said Drew Hasty, Twin Cities EDS Coordinator. “He monitors the radio airwaves and provides dispatch assistance, a critical service that ensures the accountability of our volunteers.”

Stepaniak has been volunteering for The Salvation Army since 1997.

As for CAP, he started there in 2004. The organization recently honored him with a Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award (pictured) for completing nine months of aerospace education. This education has drastically improved Stepaniak’s communication with the aviation experts he serves.

“I do all of this because I truly enjoy communication,” he said. “I believe in using my God-given talents.”

What could be more impressive than Stepaniak’s attitude and accomplishments?

The fact that he’s achieved it all without the use of his legs, and with eyes that cannot read words smaller than those printed in a phone book.

These obstacles made it difficult for Stepaniak to receive his aerospace education, as his sight impairment made it impossible to read the aerospace textbooks he would be tested on. 

Nearly 70 CAP members helped solve the problem. Dozens of them recorded themselves reading the texts, then gave Stepaniak the recordings to absorb. Others who did not read for Stepaniak drove him to classes and appointments. The effort was spearheaded by David Coates, Aerospace Education Officer for CAP’s Viking Squadron.

“David went above and beyond to make it happen,” Stepaniak said. “I can’t thank David and everybody else enough.”

“My career aspiration is to serve,” he continued. “If I can inspire other people to volunteer, then that’s why I’m here.”

Stepaniak said he will continue to serve The Salvation Army and CAP for years to come.

"The thing that sets Matt apart from the rest,” Hasty said, “is his level of dedication and willingness to be at every meeting, and to be available for every disaster despite his physical challenges. His dedication to The Salvation Army is invaluable.”