Taylor James was crowned Miss Michigan Volunteer 2026 in December 2025. From her very first day, she has volunteered with The Salvation Army as part of her service with the Miss Volunteer America Organization. 

Part of her volunteer experience has been with the Bed & Bread ministry in Detroit, MI. She was a part of the mobile unit team and distributed meals in different neighborhoods in the metro Detroit area. 

“As we drove through my own neighborhood serving meals,” Taylor recalled, “it reminded me that service is never distant. It’s often right outside our own front doors. Watching neighbors receive food, conversation, and encouragement made it clear that The Salvation Army is caring for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.” 

Tell us about your involvement as Miss Michigan Volunteer.

On December 6, 2025, I was crowned as Miss Michigan Volunteer 2026. Later that same day, I had the honor of ringing the bell for The Salvation Army’s Celebrity Bell Ring Weekend, which felt like the perfect way to begin a year dedicated to service. The Miss Volunteer America Organization is a national scholarship program where volunteerism is the heart of the crown. Each titleholder leads a S.E.R.V.E. initiative and works alongside our national partner, The Salvation Army, to strengthen communities.

Service has shaped my journey from the very beginning. As a child, I founded Heart of Charity, which has collected and donated thousands of items to families in need. Later, working as an EMT, I saw firsthand how critical it is to respond when people are facing crises. Those experiences led me to my work today as a nonprofit fundraiser and policy analyst, and inspired my S.E.R.V.E. Initiative, Operation Fill the Gap, which encourages people to Respond, Engage, and Mobilize to meet needs in their communities.

What inspired you to volunteer with The Salvation Army?

I was first introduced to The Salvation Army through my childhood service for Heart of Charity. Each year we donated items through programs like Angel Tree, and I remember seeing volunteers ringing the bell during the holidays. At the time, I understood it as a way to help families during Christmas, but I didn’t yet realize how vast The Salvation Army’s work really is.

As I grew older, I learned that their programs extend far beyond the holidays, providing food assistance, housing support, disaster relief, and year-round community services. When I chose to compete in the Miss Volunteer America Organization, one of the things that drew me to the system was its strong charitable partnerships, especially its national partnership with The Salvation Army. It felt like a natural continuation of the service work that first inspired me as a child.

What is the best part of volunteering with The Salvation Army?

The best part of volunteering with The Salvation Army is witnessing compassion turn into real, immediate care for someone who needs it. The organization has a beautiful way of meeting people exactly where they are, whether that’s through a warm meal, emergency shelter, holiday support, or a moment of dignity during a difficult season.

What moves me most is seeing how ordinary people come together to make that possible. Volunteers from every walk of life step forward to serve, and in those moments, you’re reminded that community is built through small acts of kindness. Sometimes the help seems simple, but to the person receiving it, it can mean hope, relief, and the reassurance that they are not alone.

What was an impactful moment while volunteering with The Salvation Army?

I’ve had the opportunity to work with The Salvation Army in several ways this year, from ringing the bell during the Red Kettle campaign to creating Thrifty Tuesdays, a way to highlight Salvation Army thrift stores across Southeast Michigan and remind people that every purchase supports adult rehabilitation services. I also helped organize the pantry at the Conner Creek Corps in Detroit, MI alongside the Miss Michigan Volunteer Class of 2027. Each experience has shown me how many ways The Salvation Army serves our communities. 

But the moment that impacted me most was riding on the Bed & Bread truck with Mr. Martin. As we drove through my own neighborhood serving meals, it reminded me that service is never distant. It’s often right outside our own front doors. Watching neighbors receive food, conversation, and encouragement made it clear that The Salvation Army is caring for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

How has volunteering with The Salvation Army shaped you?

Volunteering has strengthened my belief that service is one of the most powerful tools we have to build stronger communities.

Working with organizations like The Salvation Army has taught me that meaningful impact happens when compassion is paired with organization and commitment. It has also deepened my understanding of the many challenges people face and the importance of responding with empathy and practical support.

Those lessons have shaped the way I approach leadership, advocacy, and community engagement in every part of my life.

What advice would you give someone considering volunteering?

I would tell them to start where they are and not underestimate the impact they can have.

Volunteering doesn’t require special qualifications, just a willingness to show up and help. The Salvation Army makes it easy for people to contribute their time and talents in ways that directly benefit their communities.

Once you start volunteering, you quickly realize that service doesn’t just help others. It changes you as well. It connects you to your community and reminds you that we all have the ability to make a difference.