• Christopher Priest

Salvation Army Teams Respond in Maryland & West Virginia

Immediately after the storms swept through the state this past Friday evening, Salvation Army personnel, equipment, and facilities were mobilized to provide hydration, feeding, and shelter services throughout West Virginia.  These services are being provided to emergency service personnel and those who have experienced damage or displacement due to the storms.  Where Salvation Army facilities themselves have not lost electrical power, cooling stations have also been set up, especially for those who are at risk due to the excessive heat affecting the eastern part of the United States.

Salvation Army Officers, volunteers, and equipment have been dispatched from the following communities:

• Beckley, WV – Corps facilities are without power, but feeding services are being conducted by Salvation Army canteen
• Bluefield – hydration services
• Charleston - hydration and feeding services from canteen and Corps facilities
• Huntington – shelter services, hydration and feeding services from canteen and Corps facilities
• Parkersburg – Cooling station, and serving meals from Corps facilities
• Wheeling – Cooling station, shelter services, hydration and feeding services

Two camp facilities of The Salvation Army (Camp Happy Valley, Scott Depot, WV, and Camp Tomahawk, Hedgesville, WV) were heavily affected by the storms.  Both facilities have been closed due to the loss of electrical power.  Loss of most refrigerated food is anticipated.

In Maryland, the Baltimore Area Command and Annapolis Corps have responded to emergency management requests to provide cooling stations and hydration services to assist individuals and families who are at risk due to the excessive heat.  Baltimore Area Command is also delivering mobile feeding services in the metropolitan area.