• Christopher McGown

Salvation Army Disaster Response--Action and Attention

Louisville, KY (March 2, 2012) - The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services efforts are fully engaged as the National Weather Service is predicting severe weather throughout most of Kentucky and Tennessee; as well as much of the Southwest United States.

Having served more than 250 nutritious meals to responders and survivors and twice that number in snacks and drinks; trained Salvation Army volunteers have made a positive impact on a community suffering loss.  “As important as food and drinks are, our volunteers are have had the greatest impact through Emotional & Spiritual Care,” said Dina Meyers, the staff member responsible for coordinating The Salvation Army’s efforts in Cumberland County, Tennessee.   Meyers continued, “Our folks are taking time to listen, and are providing comforting words and prayers; this makes a huge difference in how folks recover.”

“We feel it important to care for the whole person—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  That’s why our response teams are trained in all aspects of emergency disaster services, including Emotional & Spiritual Care.”—Joe Hughes, the Divisional Disaster Services Coordinator for the Kentucky & Tennessee Division.

Even as one group of Emergency Disaster Personnel is in action meeting some of the most basic human needs, several others are playing close attention of today’s weather.    In fact, they are active too--readying themselves and their equipment should today’s weather call them into action.

Hughes said, “We’ve asked all of our units across Kentucky and Tennessee to be prepared to respond in their community or to lend support to a neighboring community who’s been affected.”   Canteens—mobile kitchens—are at the ready and trained staff and volunteers are paying attention to the weather.

“We’ve hoping to ‘dodge the bullet’ with this round of storms, but we have to be ready should the need arise,” said Hughes with a hopeful, if weary, tone.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted by this disaster, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You may also help The Salvation Army now by texting “SAnow” 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next phone bill.

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About the Salvation Army:  The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865.  Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.  About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.  For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.