YOU CAN HELP HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Salvation Army responds to disaster victims
Columbia, S.C., January 22, 2010—The Salvation Army is hard at work in Haiti, providing food, water and support during a time of unforgettable devastation caused by the recent earthquake and aftershock.
Nearly 7,000 people were given a five-day supply of food Monday by The Salvation Army in Port-au-Prince. Hundreds of others, including infants at an orphanage, received medical care from Salvation Army doctors. In the U.S., more personnel and supplies are being sent to the country to join the 700 Salvation Army workers who are permanently stationed in Haiti.
Additionally, in Port-au-Prince, a 14-person Salvation Army medical team provided care to nearly 200 people Monday, suturing wounds and treating broken bones. Two doctors and a nurse administered formula and oral electrolyte solution to dozens of orphans.
In Haiti, The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.
One Salvation Army facility, or compound, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people.
According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port-au-Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children’s home, the clinic and church suffered major damage. Several smaller buildings, including residences, have collapsed completely.
Calls have been coming in regularly to the local office, and the best way that the local community can help is to give a financial gift that gives The Salvation Army the purchasing power we need to care for disaster survivors. Financial donations can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by visiting us on the web at www.salvationarmyusa.org; or people can mail checks to The Salvation Army World Services Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728.
Donors can also text the word “HAITI” to 52000 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army’s relief efforts. It is important for donors to confirm their donation with the word “YES.” Note that the money will go directly to The Salvation Army’s World Service Office.
Regarding volunteers, at this time, The Salvation Army is not recruiting additional personnel to deploy to Haiti. If this changes, The Salvation Army will use trained and experienced Salvation Army officers and disaster personnel. If individuals would like to support Salvation Army disaster services, they need to associate with the local corps and register online at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. However, they should not expect to be deployed internationally.
About The Salvation Army of the Midlands
The Salvation Army of the Midlands, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, was established in the Midlands more than 100 years ago. The Salvation Army of the Midlands serves people of Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties in a variety of ways including Spiritual Guidance, Homeless Services, Food Pantry, Woodyard Fund, Family Thrift Store, Kids 2 Camp, Shoe Fund, Clothes 4 Kids, Christmas programs and Disaster Relief. For more information, please visit the local website at www.DoingtheMostGood.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing spiritual counseling, food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and housing assistance to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Nationwide, 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services.
