- February 24, 2025
Also: New nonemergency number for sheriff
The Board of Directors of Halifax Urban Ministries announced on Aug. 6 that Mark Geallis will become the executive director beginning on Aug. 15.
Geallis came to HUM in 2012 as director of community relations and development. An ordained minister, he previously worked as a church missions and outreach director. Prior to entering the ministry in 2009, he had over 30 years of business experience.
Troy Ray, executive director of HUM for the past 12 years, is leaving to become executive director of a faith-based nonprofit called Open Arms International, a ministry in Kenya, Africa, which rescues orphaned children and places them in foster homes.
Ted Serbousek, chairman of the board, said, “I have great confidence that Mark can provide the inspired leadership that HUM needs and deserves.”
HUM has a solid financial base and plans for shelters and other projects and there will be no change in services to the homeless individuals and struggling families, according to a press release.
Sheriff number for cell phones
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has announced a new number for cell phones for nonemergency situations. The Communication Center has worked with wireless service providers to implement the feature, according to a statement.
Dialing #8276 from a cell phone will connect citizens and visitors in Volusia County to a nonemergency line at the Communications Center. The numbers, 8276, correspond to the letters VCSO on the keypad.
If the cell phone call does not go through because of not being in a service area, callers can dial the regular nonemergency number, which is 239-8276 in northeast Volusia; 943-8276 in West Volusia; and 409-8276 in Southeast Volusia.
