Norcross, GA - June 17, 2011 - As the wildfires spread in southern Georgia around the Okefenokee Swamp region The Salvation Army continues to assist Brantley, Camden, and Charlton County fire fighters battling the blaze. Embers caught by the wind can fly up to 3 miles causing the fire to migrate and spread destruction for many more miles and requiring further attention by disaster personnel. Governor Nathan Deal has issued a state of emergency in the area which has made way for the approval of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for agencies activated to help first responders bring an end to this disaster.
The canteen (mobile feeding unit) which is staffed by six (6) volunteers and two (2) Salvation Army disaster services personnel began emergency and disaster services yesterday and provided:
100 lunches
180 dinners
96 snacks
20 first aid kits
The canteen’s incident commander, Charlene Sears stated that the need is great and that they are currently seeking volunteers to assist with preparing and serving food as well as clean-up at the Charlton County Recreation Center located at 252 Little Phoebe Church Road, Folkston, GA.
Sears also said, “We are a small operation and our resources are beginning to become stretched. We rely on the generosity of the community especially during these difficult moments. Anyone who would like to make a monetary contribution may do so at the Folkston City Hall. Checks should be made payable to The Salvation Army with a memo note of Wildfire Disaster Relief.”
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