• Lora Marini Baker

The Salvation Army Responds to Fires in Wenatchee, WA. Preps for Long Term Recovery

(WENATCHEE, WA) – The Salvation Army is assisting as the fast-moving “Sleepy Holly Fire” sweeps through the Wenatchee, WA, area. As of Monday morning, 28 homes have been destroyed and 3,000 acres have burned. There have been no fatalities yet, and no injuries reported. The source of the fire is unknown at this time.

According to a recent report in The Seattle Times, Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz, Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett, as well as the Washington State Patrol and regional fire leaders called the fire intense and hard to control. “We’re looking at portions of downtown Wenatchee that continue to burn. We’ll get through it but it will be a long process,” said Kuntz.

Families impacted by the fire can visit The Salvation Army in Wenatchee to receive vouchers for the nearby Salvation Army thrift store. The vouchers can be redeemed for furniture and clothing. Bottled water is also available at the thrift store.

Salvation Army social services office – for voucher pick up
• 1205 S. Columbia Street, Wenatchee, 98801; 509-662-8864

Salvation Army thrift store – to redeem vouchers
Please note that the store is closed today due to evacuations; call to confirm if store is reopened
• 1219 N. Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, 98801; 509-662-5103

Currently, donors interested in aiding the relief effort are encouraged to give financial donations, which offer great flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.

The Salvation Army is committed to serving those in need, at the time of need, in the place of need. All Salvation Army disaster services are free and funded entirely through the generosity of donors. There are three ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army's disaster relief efforts:

1. On-line at: www.SalvationArmyNW.org – designate gift for “WA state fires”
2. By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY – designate gift for “WA state fires”
3. By mail: Send your check, marked “WA state fires” to 
The Salvation Army
Northwest Divisional Headquarters
P. O. Box 1929
Seattle, WA 98101

At this time, The Salvation Army is not requesting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in Central Washington. It is more efficient for disaster relief agencies to purchase needed resources locally, for immediate distribution with the disaster area. The best way for donors to help disaster victims is to make a cash donation. As always, the thrift store will accept tangible donations, which will be available to families in need, including those impacted by the fires.

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for 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 spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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