The Salvation Army

Salvation Army Responds to Deadly Tornado in Moore OK

Moore, OK (May 21, 2013 - 2:10 AM) - The Salvation Army is on the ground in Moore, Oklahoma with multiple canteens and personnel coordinating with Local and State Emergency Management to serve first responders and those affected by the tornado. We continue to provide service to hard hit areas from yesterdays' storms which include Shawnee - multiple sites, Carney area, and Cleveland County.

Meals and hydration are being provided for first responders and those affected. Major Steve Morris, Arkansas-Oklahoma Divisional Commander has been driving around the affected area. Major Morris states "The devastation is far reaching both in human life, property and livestock loss. The Salvation Army is honored to serve and provide sustenance to first responders involved in search and rescue, coordination efforts and more. And, of course, all survivors will be provided spiritual and emotional care."

Canteens involved in the response from Oklahoma include Central Oklahoma Area Command (Oklahoma City), Ardmore, Enid, Lawton, McAlester and Muskogee. Also, disaster response teams from Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Hot Springs, Arkansas are en route to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area to assist in response. Personnel from across the division are also traveling to the area to form a Divisional Incident Command Team (which helps coordinate the overall response for The Salvation Army). Central Oklahoma Area Command has established a local Incident Command team for response.

The Salvation Army is ready to provide the services mentioned above for as long as we are needed.

Monetary donations are the most critical need as supplies and personnel are mobilized.

• Donors are encouraged to give online by clicking here or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
• 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."*
• Donations in the form of checks designated to Oklahoma Tornado Relief may also be mailed to:
• The Salvation Army
  PO Box 12600
  Oklahoma City, OK 73157

Your donations make a real difference.

• A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day.
• A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and other cleaning supplies
• A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster
• A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours

• A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen (mobile feeding unit) fully operational for one day

Helping Others Helped Her Embrace Life

Your gift to The Salvation Army fills the hearts of people in need with hope for the future.

Debra first came to The Salvation Army about two years ago. A tall, slender woman in her early 50s, she wasn't asking for help. She wanted to help others. She wanted to volunteer.

Since it was the Christmas season, we asked if she'd like to help with wrapping the many Christmas gifts that we give to children and families in need. Debra graciously accepted and spent about six hours a day giving her time for others during our busy season.

Then suddenly she stopped volunteering. It was puzzling - until we learned what had happened.

Debra had lost her job, and her health was failing. Always slender, she'd become painfully thin. But that wasn't the worst of it.

Having been stuck indoors during a long winter season in her small home, Debra had succumbed to depression and thoughts of suicide.

Thankfully, before acting on those thoughts, she called Colonel Carolyn Peacock at the Denver Citadel. Colonel Carolyn knew Debra and knew of her struggles.

"I was grateful that she called," Colonel Carolyn said. "We spoke for a long time. I reminded her about all the good she did as a volunteer and how focusing on helping others was the best thing. She started to feel better."

Debra has begun volunteering again, and it's making a difference in her life. She spends a couple of days a week working in our distribution center. Things are looking up. She's helping others, and her cheerful spirit is back. "I think she'll be okay," Colonel Carolyn said.

Your support does lasting good for people in need - even for people like Debra who are helping others! Thank you for caring, and God bless you for giving.