• Cindy Fuller

Off-Road Vehicles Assist Disaster Relief Efforts

Corpus Christi, TX (September 6, 2017)   Just as the military has specialized equipment, The Salvation Army also has specialized equipment to help carry out our mission.  When regular vehicles cannot complete the task, The Salvation Army’s special equipment provides a way to carry out disaster relief services in areas hardest hit by mother nature.

While serving the Coastal Bend area, The Salvation Army found areas where access was very limited and there was a need for hot meals.   Since standard vehicles such as our catering trucks and canteens (mobile feeding units) were unable to reach many who were cleaning up in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, one of the pieces of our specialized equipment, a Polaris Ranger, was put into action to help deliver hot meals, snacks, water, share information and offer prayer.

The crew of the Ranger consisted of one driver and an Emotional and Spiritual Care Specialist.   The crew found they were often welcome due to The Salvation Army’s shield on the Polaris which opened “doors” even when “doors” were no longer attached.  While serving some of the residents in the area, the crew offered a cold bottle of water and a listening ear, sometimes all that was needed.    The Polaris provided access and a means of delivering resources that otherwise would not have been possible.

Major Claranne Meitrott, the ESC Specialist riding along on the Polaris, shared “I met people, expressing more concern regarding their neighbors’ loss than with their own, they would say, please check on…” With their permission, while offering prayer on their behalf, some prayed for her!

The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.  During emergency disaster response, Salvation Army personnel will do all they can and use every resource available to provide food, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to those affected by devastating storms.

Donations to support the relief work of The Salvation Army can be made at www.helpsalvationarmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, by texting STORM to 51555, or by check (designated “Hurricane Harvey”) mails to PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA  30301.