Salvation Army Continues Waldo Canyon Fire Relief Effort

Colorado Springs, CO (July 5, 2012) - Relief efforts for the Waldo Canyon Fire continue today with canteen operations serving a mix of emergency personnel and fire evacuees still in need of aid. The Salvation Army’s units are providing for survivors’ immediate needs, such as food, water, and comfort.

Over the past two days, Salvation Army canteen operations provided over 2,000 meals, 1,400 snacks and 2,400 beverages at key locations in Colorado Springs, serving emergency personnel, fire crews, National Guard members, FEMA response teams, utility workers, and fire evacuees in Colorado Springs – including many who have returned to their homes, but utilities have not been restored.

Today, Salvation Army mobile feeding units and volunteers will provide support to evacuees and fire personnel in two locations in Colorado Springs, including Cheyenne Mountain High School (1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Springs) which is still housing approximately 40 individuals affected by the fire.

One additional roving unit will deploy this afternoon to provide food, drinks and emotional care to those evacuees returning to their respective neighborhoods.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Members of the community are encouraged to volunteer and assist with relief efforts. There are a variety of tasks that volunteers can assist with. To view opportunities and to register (all volunteers must pre-register), please visit www.tsacs.org/registertoring.

Donations:

The best way to help fire survivors and rescue workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors. There are a variety of ways public can support The Salvation Army’s wildfire disaster relief efforts:

• Online:    Visit www.imsalvationarmy.org
• Phone:    Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY - Designate gift "Disaster Relief" or ”Wildfires”
• Mail:         Designate "Disaster Relief” or “Wildfires” on check/money order, mail to:

The Salvation Army Disaster Relief
P.O. Box 2369
Denver, CO 80201-2369

At this point, in-kind donations are not being accepted outside the disaster area.  Used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during an incident.  However, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store: more information at www.SATruck.com or 1-800-SA-TRUCK.

The Salvation Army is grateful to the public for their continued support.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church 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. 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. For more information, go to www.imsalvationarmy.org.

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