Greater Chattanooga, TN - Times of disaster tend to bring out the best qualities in individuals with neighbors helping one another, but often in the midst of the crisis, there are many who get overlooked and even others who get flooded with care as a result of our goodwill. In a time when our resources may be limited, this can lead to suspicion on behalf of a donor who may be wondering if their donation is being used in the best possible way. However, when that donor sees agencies working together to meet the needs of their community, it brings about a feeling of peace and confidence that their money is doing the most good to meet the present need.
Last night, at The Salvation Army in Cleveland, TN, all the major relief agencies in Bradley County sat around the same table working on solutions to meet the needs of their community. Representatives from Men and Women of Action, Baptist Association, The Red Cross, The United Way, Lee University, Bradley High School, Living Word Fellowship, and the Boy’s and Girl's Club were all represented. Their goal was to have a more efficient utilization of their services and volunteers. As a result, The Salvation Army has become the hub for all volunteers, the American Red Cross will be coordinating hot meals, and the Baptist Association will be coordinating the clean up and rebuilding efforts and The Salvation Army will be handing out non-perishable food. The local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has identified The Salvation Army and The Red Cross as the lead agencies in this effort. The spirit of volunteerism is high as these agencies unite together to help their community recover from this disaster.
Although there are hundreds of volunteers working together, the demand for assistance remains high here in Cleveland and around the Chattanooga area, and we need your help! First and foremost, we solicit your prayers for the tornado survivors and relief workers. We also remind you that there are a variety of ways in which they can donate monetarily to the relief effort. Donors can:
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Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
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Visit our website: www.csarmy.org.
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Visit the national Emegency Disaster Services website: www.disaster.salvationarmy.org
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Text to give, by texting the word “give” to 80888 and a $10 donation will appear on your cell phone bill.
For more information please contact: Lt. David Costellow at 270-881-6510.
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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 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.
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.