Response to PA Flooding

The Salvation Army, Emergency Disaster Services crews have been busy providing assistance to victims of the historic Pennsylvania flooding since early September. More than 19 Salvation Army mobile response units responded across Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania at the peak of operations feeding at more than 31 locations across the state.

Working closely with local and county government officials and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the Salvation Army served more than 44,600 meals, 8,328 clean-up kits, 1, 058 hygiene kits, more than 20,000 gallons/cases of water and over $180,000 in direct financial assistance made possible by the more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service given.

Services in the recovery efforts of the flooding are still ongoing.  Many counties and local Salvation Army centers are continuing to meet the needs of the local families affected by the floods.  As the holiday season approaches, needs continue to be high for some of the hardest hit regions across the state and the Army will be there to continue to assess and address those needs.

Individuals interested in providing aid are encouraged to make monetary donations via our secure, on-line donations page, or text STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation using your mobile phone.* Monetary donations better allow The Salvation Army to meet the special needs of those affected by the flooding, so at this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting clothing, food, or commodity donations for disaster victims (these items are still needed at Satlvation Army family thrift stores and will continue to be accepted there). Donations may also be made by sending a check to The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Divisional Headquarters at 701 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Donations should be marked "Disaster Relief".

* A one‐time donation of $10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging & data rates may apply. Donations are collected for The Salvation Army by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 80888 to stop. Reply HELP to 80888 for help. For terms, see

Quake Rocks Northeast US

If you live anywhere from Charlotte to Boston, you may have felt the affects of a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the Norhteastern US early this afternoon.  The quake that struck just outside of Washington, DC rumbled through, Philly and New Yourk City all the way up into the New England states.

Here in Philadelphia the city's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) immediately went into gear ramping up a watch command at the EOC and coordinating the inter-agency response.  Many businesses in downtown evacuated after the quake so a large police response was needed to control crowds and traffic flow. 

As all this was going on our EDS team was out on a fire in the Chestnut Hill section of the city where a late morning garage fire was still being handled by firefighters.  As lunch was being served to the emergency crews, the shaking was felt and we immediately began to follow up on what was going on.  At that point we began coordinating with our partner agencies across the division to see if any response was needed.

Luckily this was a relatively minor incident for us here in Eastern PA and DE, but incidents like this serve as a great reminder that disasters of any type can hit is at any time.  We encourage people to review your personal and family readiness plans and be ready because you truly never know!

SA in UK Assists with Riots

London, England (August 10, 2011) – The Salvation Army is assisting the emergency services, residents and local communities in the aftermath of unrest in London and other parts of the country. Salvation Army emergency mobile response vehicles have been deployed and, on the advice of the emergency services, been situated in secure areas.

In north London, Haringey Council asked The Salvation Army to run the reception area of a Community Assistance Center for residents and businesses in Tottenham and Wood Green. From 9am to 8pm, every day for at least the next 11 days, The Salvation Army is also providing pastoral support and refreshments to those giving professional advice and services at the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre.

Major Muriel McClenahan, The Salvation Army’s director of emergency services in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, worked the first shift at the center. She says, “We are working closely with Haringey Council to support local residents and businesses as they rebuild their lives and the community after the turmoil of recent days. Salvation Army staff and volunteers are offering practical and emotional support to all who require assistance, including people who have been traumatized, made homeless or suffered other loss as a result of the unrest.

“There are dozens of people bringing donations and leaving in tears at the goodness that is felt. There are many young people here, helping to sort out the donations.”

The Community Assistance Center will help local people with a wide range of issues – from emergency housing for residents whose homes were damaged by the disturbances to advice from a team of social workers. The center will also act as a focal point for the many offers of donations which have been made by both businesses and individuals in the community.

Major McClenahan adds, “Where it has been safe to do so, and with the guidance of the London Fire Brigade, Salvation Army emergency relief teams have been providing food, drinks and support to emergency services personnel as they respond to fires and incidents. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are ready to respond as required by the authorities and emergency services.”

Across the country Salvation Army personnel are meeting with community leaders and local authorities to offer support to rebuild shattered communities. A Salvation Army Emergency Response Unit was on duty in Salford, Manchester, for three and a half hours during Tuesday night (9 August) serving refreshments to fire fighters and providing pastoral care and support. Salvation Army teams are also helping with the clean up in parts of the Wavertree and Toxteth areas of Liverpool.

By Ann C. Stewart

Salvation Army Uses Facebook to Take Prayer Requests for Disaster Survivors

Tuscaloosa, AL - May 07, 2011 – A growing list of prayer requests in blue marker continues to fill the white dry-erase board in front of The Salvation Army’s temporary disaster unit.

This morning Capt. Joe May, assigned Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer for Tuscaloosa’s disaster response, directed the requests to go viral by posting on Facebook.

Capt. May says that “using The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division’s Facebook is an important medium to both get existing prayer requests out and take on additional requests.” Trained Emotional and Spiritual Care Officers are on the ground at Red Cross shelters and at mobile disaster canteens to offer support and care as individuals begin to process the gravity of this disaster.

People can go to Facebook and “Like” The Salvation Army’s Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division Facebook page to post prayer requests. The current list includes:

•A mother of 4 who has 3 missing children, 1 confirmed as deceased as well as losing a brother in the storm,

•Sgt. Ruthie Forgie, corps officer in Cleveland TN, a community also hard-hit by a tornado

•Those afraid to seek help,

•The Latino Community,

•Everyone affected in Tuscaloosa and beyond,

•A warehouse for The Salvation Army’s disaster response in Tuscaloosa to begin case management and material storage

•TuscaloosaCorps Officers Majors David and Cherry Craddock

•Salvation Army staff and volunteers helping with the disaster and supporting those in the field

The Tuscaloosa Corps facility and local emergency canteen were heavily damaged in the April 27th tornado, rendering the facility and local mobile canteen inoperable. Mobile Incident Command operations at the Tuscaloosa Airport location are working to manage efforts and set up collection and distribution points around the region. Currently, no donations are being accepted at this location as there is a critical lack of storage and distribution resources.

The best way to help tornado survivors and rescue workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific and changing needs of disaster survivors. The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, text “GIVE” to 80888 for a $10 donation given from your cell phone or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) and designate their gift "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak." 

By:  Shane Autrey