Chattanooga, TN (August 23, 2011) – The Salvation Army met with local emergency management make preparations for the onset of Hurricane Irene. Today at 2:30 PM, The Salvation Army met with the Chattanooga Red Cross at The Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center to coordinate a plan to better prepare for evacuations from the East Coast. “The last time a storm approached the United States like this, we had evacuees stranded up and down I-75 and every hotel in Chattanooga was filled. We had to open a shelter at our North Moore Road facility,” states Public Information Officer for The Salvation Army, Kimberly George.
The Chattanooga Area Command’s Disaster Services Unit is prepared to assist those who may be affected by the hurricane. This assistance may come in the form of deployment of our mobile kitchen unit to affected areas or through relocation assistance to those forced to leave their homes.
“We are hoping for the best, however, we are preparing for the worst,” stated Area Commander Major Algerome Newsome. “Disaster Units closer to the coast have already begun preparations for the onset of this hurricane and we will join in the relief effort as needed.” Major Algerome Newsome has alerted local officers and staff.
For more information please contact Kimberly George at 423-503-1801 or email to Kimberly_George@uss.salvationarmy.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.
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About The Salvation Army
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.