SEATTLE (April 4, 2014) – The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team has been working in Oso and the surrounding areas including Arlington and Darrington that were impacted by the mudslide on Saturday, March 22. Please visit our website for updated information about our work in the areas: www.SalvationArmyNW.org
Collaboration with other agencies
In an effort to ease the burden by the families affected by the mudslide, Snohomish County has created two Joint Resource Centers (JRC). Located in Arlington, WA, and Darrington, WA, individuals and families can visit a JRC for assistance from The Salvation Army and other agencies. Assistance is personalized for the individual and family, depending on their situation.
“The mudslide has impacted every person differently,” explained Shaun Jones, Emergency Disaster Coordinator for The Salvation Army Northwest Division. “By collaborating with other agencies, we can accommodate everyone’s needs, including financial assistance, tangible items, and even emotional / spiritual counseling.”
The collaborative response to disaster has been a hallmark of The Salvation Army throughout its 100-year-plus history of responding to disasters. The partnered approach ensures that people needing help are assisted quickly and efficiently – they need to visit only one place to receive a variety of benefits. Furthermore, the JRC allows for organization and communication between agencies. At any moment, a comprehensive view of clients and assistance is available. Other agencies participating in the JRC include Catholic Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul, and American Red Cross.
Through April 3, The Salvation Army has provided the following assistance to families affected by the mudslide:
• 324 clients received emergency financial assistance for gasoline
• 7 clients received emergency financial assistance for clothing
• 24 clients received emotional / spiritual counseling
• 84 hours of case management by Officers and employees
• 375 hours of case management by volunteers
How to Help
The most critical need right now is for monetary donations. There are three ways to contribute to The Salvation Army relief and restoration efforts for the Oso mudslide:
1. By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY – designate gift for ‘Oso Mudslide Relief’
2. On-line at: www.SalvationArmyNW.org – designate gift for ‘Oso Mudslide Relief’
3. By mail: Send a check, marked ‘Oso Mudslide Relief’ to The Salvation Army, Northwest Divisional Headquarters, 111 Queen Anne Avenue N #300, Seattle, WA, 98109
The best way to help during any disaster, large or small, is often to make a financial contribution. Cash donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors without incurring many of the costs associated with sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods. Salvation Army disaster services are funded entirely by donors, and The Salvation Army uses 100% of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief operations.
• $35 donation can provide copay to help with prescriptions
• $125 donation can provide one week of groceries to a family of four
• $250 donation can provide one week of gasoline to an individual whose commute to Everett or Seattle has been doubled by closure of highway 530
• $500 donation can help provide temporary housing to a family for one month
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