• Philip Burn

Families Receive Financial Assistance and Support in Forney, TX

Photo: By @rustysurette shows @RedCrossDFW and Salvation Army serving rescue workers and survivors in Lancaster Texas after tornadoes.

Dallas, TX (April 10, 2012) - Fifteen families received emergency financial assistance from The Salvation Army in Forney, Texas, Monday and Tuesday, after recent tornadoes destroyed their homes.

125 homes in this quiet community, located about 30 miles East of Dallas, were damaged during last weeks powerful storms with significant damage sustained in one particular neighborhood. Salvation Army Disaster staff have been onsite since Monday morning providing refreshment, financial assistance and emotional support from a mobile feeding unit.

Brenda Smith, Director of The Salvation Army Kaufman Service Center, has been working to register and assist those most affected. "We have been able to help a number of families with basic necessities as they begin to pick themselves up after this tragedy. More than 20 homes are completely destroyed and it has been a real blessing to be able to share a word of encouragement and a prayer with those we have met." Brenda continued, "In cases where people have lost everything it doesn't feel like we are able to offer much, but we are doing what we can to help people along the way."

Clean up crews and volunteers working through the rubble have also been able to enjoy drinks and snacks from the canteen. "As well as local groups of volunteers from places like the Home Depot, there are volunteers here from all around the country," explained Bram Ritson, Salvation Army Disaster team member. "It's been hot and humid this week and the workers have really appreciated the support we've given."

Kaufman Service Center staff will follow up with several additional families in the community who have registered for assistance as people return to their homes and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Monetary donations to go directly toward relief efforts can be made online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by texting the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone.* For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued response, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. 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. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

* A oneâ??time donation of $10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging & data rates may apply. Donations are collected for The Salvation Army by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 80888 to stop. Reply HELP to 80888 for help. For terms, see www.igfn.org/t.