DALTON, GA – The Salvation Army deployed a mobile feeding unit to the Dalton Convention Center to provide hydration and emotional and spiritual aid to first responders, students and family members affected after a high school teacher barricaded himself in a classroom and fired a shot through a window earlier this week.
The students were evacuated to the Dalton Convention Center as part of the high school’s active shooter emergency plan.
“Immediately after we heard about the event, we grabbed all the water stored in the food center, loaded into the canteen, and drove to the Trade Center to serve,” said Major Douglas McClure, the presiding officer at The Salvation Army of the Greater Dalton Area.
According to Major McClure, during their three and a half hours of service, over 400 bottles of water were distributed and 19 individuals received emotional and spiritual care. “Everyone from responding organizations to the school students, faculty and parents were grateful for our presence,” said Major McClure.
The Salvation Army was allowed into the sequestered gym area of the Convention Center by the high school staff and board of education to serve the students. They served bottled water and prayed with students, family, school staff, firefighters, police and EMS units until the high school students were all reunited with their parents.
“Some people think The Salvation Army emergency disaster responses are only for hurricanes and floods. The reality is that The Salvation Army stands ready to serve when any kind of disaster strikes,” said Major McClure. “The impact of this event will be with this community for a long time. And whenever and wherever, we will always be there for them in their time of need with aid, support and comfort.”
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