The Salvation Army in Nebraska and Western Iowa Responds to Friday Tornadoes
Major Von R. Vandiver | von_vandiver@usc.salvationarmy.org
“We are here to help—if they need something to drink, to eat, or want to talk…”
(Sioux City, Iowa, October 5, 2013) — The Salvation Army in the Sioux City, Iowa area has mobilized two teams of trained disaster response workers to assist residents and first responders impacted by six confirmed tornados that hit various area communities on Friday evening, October 4th.
On Saturday morning, Salvation Army disaster response units were serving residents and aid workers in Macy and Wayne, Nebraska. Coffee, cold beverages, breakfast items and sandwiches were being distributed in the impacted communities.
The Salvation Army is prepared to meet not only immediate physical needs, but to provide emotional and trauma counseling to those impacted by the storms. Included in the response team is Rob Ouellette, who is employed as a Salvation Army program director in Sioux City and is an experienced crisis counselor. Mr. Ouellette stated, “I went to Wayne State (College, located in Wayne, Neb.), so it is important for me to be able to help this community that is such a key part of my life. We are here to help—if they need something to drink, to eat, or want to talk—we are here for the folks affected by these storms.”
The Salvation Army is coordinating its services with the local governments, the American Red Cross, and other providers, so that the residents of the many communities impacted by the storm receive needed services and support.
How to Help:
The best way to help is a monetary donation. Donations should be marked “tornado relief” and can be sent to PO Box 783, Sioux City, IA 51102.
At the present time, the Salvation Army is not accepting donations of clothes or other items for the survivors of these storms; however, these gifts are vitally important to your local Salvation Army. To give items locally, visit www.SATruck.com or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
For the latest EDS updates, visit http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/.
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.
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About The Salvation ArmyThe 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.