• Cynthia (Cindy) Fuller

Arkansas-Oklahoma Provides Personnel for South Carolina Disaster Response

October 12, 2015 (Oklahoma City, OK) Even as The Salvation Army prepared to respond to predicted flooding in North and South Carolina, members of the emergency disaster response teams in Oklahoma watched carefully as plans were put into place for emergency response. As the flooding grew and more rain threatened, the Carolinas reached out to Salvation Army personnel across the southeast United States for reinforcements

Answering the call, Steven Hartsook, Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director based in Oklahoma City at the divisional headquarters, was asked to deploy last Monday to serve as part of the Incident Management Team and fill the role of the Logistics Chief. Steven is responsible for obtaining and managing all resources and equipment necessary to run the disaster relief operation for The Salvation Army’s response to the current flooding.

Kenny Kelly, Disaster Coordinator for Central Oklahoma Area Command, was deployed last week as well to serve as the Feeding Coordinator to support the Columbia, South Carolina response overseeing eight canteens (mobile feeding units) and two catering trucks. Kenny coordinates the food service activities of the area’s response, including food production and/or distribution from fixed and mobile sites.

Captain Michael Knott, Commanding Officer for the Stillwater, Oklahoma Salvation Army, was deployed on Saturday to serve as the Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer. This support includes external care for disaster survivors, rescue workers, and the general public as well as internal care for staff and volunteers. Captain is coordinating the Spiritual and Emotional support services across all of the impacted areas of South Carolina.

The Arkansas-Oklahoma Division is honored to serve during this disaster and any time disaster services are needed.  As recipients of aid from officers, employees and volunteers from other areas of the country during our times of crisis and disaster, it is a privilege to return the support shown to us. Please keep the individuals and their families in prayer during their time of service and deployment as well as all those affected by the devastating flood.

How to Help: The quickest and easiest way to support the efforts of The Salvation Army as they serve disaster victims in Oklahoma during this event and future disasters is to make a monetary donation.

To give online: Visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org •

By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) • By mail: The Salvation Army Southern Territorial Headquarters P.O. Box 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301 Please designate checks “East Coast Floods" in the memo •

By text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving.

Donations of Household Good and Clothing: Due to the emergency situation, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual donations of household goods or clothing (gifts-in-kind) will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. PLEASE continue to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store. You will help your community and help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.

About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name 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.