Why We Volunteer: Response to Hurricane Milton

Lakeland, FL (October 16, 2024) - With a strong belief in restoring human dignity and providing basic needs as a means of showing Christ's love, The Salvation Army responds quickly to those in need, especially during disasters.Those responding to Hurricane Milton in Hillsborough and Polk counties practice this as they come together to provide inspiration through devotionals at mobile feeding units, emotional and spiritual care, hot meals, and referral services.

Motivation drives acts of service, and they can range from “wanting to be of service”, "stepping out of comfort zone”, “feeling called by God”, “knowing that people are in need”, and simply “Doing the Most Good.” There are many who want to serve and be a part of the narrative but do not have the means to be able to take weeks off work or leave children and families behind, but they find ways to help those that are on site through serving meals, messages of encouragement, sharing the efforts and stories through social media, and through donations allocated to The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services.

When people come together for the greater good, meaningful experiences and opportunities take place. These experiences facilitate the desire to give of oneself through time and donations. By serving others selflessly, people can create a positive impact on people’s lives, reflecting Jesus' values. This giving model is about being present, compassionate, and ready to serve the spirit.

The Salvation Army uses 100% of disaster donations to support relief. Your donation may be used to provide food and drinks, baby, hygiene, cleaning and other emergency supplies, or direct financial assistance to disaster survivors. Donations may also support long-term recovery programs (including repair and reconstruction programs) or to support disaster relief workers serving in impacted communities. The Salvation Army NEVER charges an administrative fee for disaster donations.

For those who feel the desire to add to disaster response and recovery efforts or to share the information please reach out to 1-800-SAL-ARMY or https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/