Colorado Springs, CO (July 2, 2012):  The Salvation Army's Territorial Commander for the Western United States made a special visit to many of the relief and burn locations within Colorado Springs today. Commissioner James Knaggs, accompanied by Intermountain Divisional Commander, Lt. Col. Dan Starrett, visited two canteen operations providing meals, drinks and emotional care and support to Waldo Canyon fire survivors and first responders. 

"I want you to know how grateful we are for what you are doing today," said Commissiner Knaggs commented to some of the disaster relief volunteers.  

The two mobile feeding units that Commissioner Knaggs visited are staffed by local volunteers, in addition to added emergency response teams from New Mexico and Montana. During his visit, Knaggs prayed with each volunteer group and shared words of encouragement with those who have been serving tirelessly since the fire outreach in late June.  Afterward, Knaggs and a small team of Salvation Army officials surveyed one of the neighborhoods affected by the devastating fire.

Currently, the Waldo Canyon Fire continues to burn West of Colorado Springs and is 70 percent contained (as of Monday afternoon).  The Salvation Army continues to serve the survivors of this devastating fire outbreak through multiple mobile feeding operations within the city, which provided over 9,000 meals and 27,000 bottles of water to first responders and survivors this past weekend alone.  In addition, The Salvation Army is working with local partner agencies to assist serving meals, and emotional care to survivors living in temporary shelters. 

To view photos of Commissioner Knagg's visit to the Waldo Canyon Fire relief areas, please visit the Intermountain Division's Flickr stream online: http://bit.ly/P6Xk0P