Oklahoma City, OK (May 24, 2013) – Since Monday men in The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center have worked tirelessly behind the scenes offering critical support to tornado relief efforts. Pallet after pallet of food, bottled water, and other goods have been sorted and placed on trucks for distribution to survivors and first responders.
"Serving with the recovery effort gives us a chance to give back," said one program beneficiary. "When we were struggling with addiction...with alcohol and drugs...we weren't any good to anyone. Now, we are making a difference and it feels great."
Currently, 80 men are working toward their recovery in the Oklahoma center. Through life skill classes, counseling, spiritual development and work therapy these men are overcoming their addictions and learning to be the people God intended them to be.
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"The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center is a place of recovery and healing. Our staff and our beneficiaries are proud to help the people of Oklahoma. Our team will continue serving our neighbors until we are no longer needed," said Major Steve Justice, Administrator of the Oklahoma Adult Rehabilitation Center. As of Friday morning, The Salvation Army had served more than 11,000 meals, 24,000 snacks and drinks, and provided emotional and spiritual care to 1,261 survivors and first responders.
Those who wish to help the recovery efforts are asked to make a financial donation. Cash donations allow The Salvation Army to purchase product to quickly and efficiently meet the most urgent needs of disaster victims. When possible, the purchases are made near the disaster site to stimulate the local economy and ensure quicker delivery.
It is easy to give to The Salvation Army:
· By phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
· Online at www.salvationarmyusa.org
· By mail: The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief P.O. BOX 2536 Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Please make checks payable to "The Salvation Army" and clearly marked "May 2013 Oklahoma Tornadoes."
· You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*
Currently, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations. In-kind donations require sorting, boxing, palletizing, storage, and delivery to the disaster location. All of these activities can be costly and time consuming, and therefore may delay service delivery. Used clothing and used furnishings are not needed for disaster relief.
However, The Salvation Army depends upon your donation of used clothing and other items to support local programming. Please consider donating your used clothing to your local Salvation Army Family Store.
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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. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and TMobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions, that you are 18 yrs. or older, or have parental permission, and have authorization from the account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.
About The Salvation Army