• Cynthia (Cindy) Fuller

Red Kettle Campaign and Disaster Response All in a Day's Work

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 1, 2015) –  On this past Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, the 125th National Red Kettle Campaign kicked-off with the help of Luke Bryan and the Dallas Cowboys.  Within 24 hours of the Kick-Off, rain and freezing temperatures brought an Ice Storm to Oklahoma knocking out power to over 100,000 households and businesses.   Even as Christmas activities including Red Kettles and Bell Ringers, Angel Tree and more are in full swing, The Salvation Army remains committed to serving those in need due to the ice storm.

“While each local Salvation Army unit is in the midst of Christmas activities, it is comforting to know when a disaster strikes, our local teams answer the call to serve those in need,” states Steven Hartsook, Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services.

Enid, Oklahoma Salvation Army
The Enid Emergency Disaster Services team began serving meals and snacks on Sunday evening through midnight in Lahoma, Oklahoma located in Garfield County.  The team returned Monday morning with breakfast and lunch.  In addition, they also served the town of Goltry, Oklahoma located in Alfalfa County.   During the two days of service provided, they served 280 meals, 115 snacks and 200 drinks coordinated under the direction of Major Ernest Hull, Commanding Officer for the Enid Salvation Army.

Demetrius Office, President of Makarios Developments and Advisory Board Member for the Enid Salvation Army, states “From Bell Ringing on Friday to my first Disaster Relief work due to ice storms and power outages all day Monday feeding families, my life has been rocked with joy by serving others.”

The Salvation Army in Enid also opened their doors as a warming center providing warmth to 25 people during the day and served 56 additional meals to those needing warm refuge due to loss of power.

Central Oklahoma Area Command
The Salvation Army Central Area Command located in Oklahoma City also responded by providing meals to the American Red Cross shelter located in El Reno.   Meal service began on Monday and will be provided each day to shelter residents until its closure.  Through Tuesday evening, The Salvation Army provided 260 meals with anticipation of an average of 120 meals per day at this shelter location.

Red Kettle Campaign
The Salvation Army relies heavily on its’ annual Red Kettle Campaign.  With the icy and cold weather this past weekend, kettle donations started off very slow.   The Red Kettle Campaign provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.  Over 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers throughout the country ring bells and solicit donations to the red kettles.

Monetary donations are welcome and can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Updates will be provided as additional information is forthcoming.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, 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. Approximately 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: 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 donated to The Salvation Army is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to salvationarmyusa.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS