Hurricane Maria Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico & USVI

Beginning Phase 3 Long Term Recovery

As The Salvation Army begins Long Term Recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, we have met with several corporate entities, partner agencies and FEMA.  We continue to create our organizational structure around the principles of collaboration and relationship building with allies throughout the region.

As noted in previous updates, there are still parts of Puerto Rico without power and water, and the infrastructure continues to be a major problem.  With many traffic lights still in disrepair, road signage gone, and potholes large enough to swallow small vehicles, traffic is impeded with hazards that make travel dangerous.  Accidents are common place, and getting around can be a great challenge.  Downed power lines, debris, and abandoned buildings add to the general unsightliness, as there is an overwhelming amount of repair needed.  All of this creates real need for emotional and spiritual care, a focused priority for The Salvation Army.  We have set aside funds to make referrals to mental health professionals, as needed.

Harrisburg Wins with Women INvolved

Our WIN (Women INvolved Auxiliary) at The Salvation Army of Harrisburg is known for its annual Shoe Strut event, but members do way more than that for our community.

Recently, the women spent a few hours packing up some 350 spice and meal kits which provide food pantry clients with the dignity of healthy food that also tastes good.

The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE Preps for Deployment to Texas for Hurricane Harvey Relief

People walk through flooded streets in Galveston, Texas, on August 26. Photo: CNN

The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is preparing for deployment to Texas to aid in the disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. With the widespread impact of the disaster already being felt and what could be an unprecedented relief effort, The Salvation Army’s Divisional EDS Department is readying a team of staff and volunteers to respond to Texas.

Persistence Pays Forward

On the day Shelley Mihalik met Catherine Ashley and her daughter, the two had come to The Salvation Army office in Honesdale to ask for help with clothing. Summer was turning into fall and neither Catherine nor Catie had any long sleeves or outerwear to protect them from the chill in the air. As the three spoke, it became clear to Shelley that they needed much more than warm clothes. Catherine and Catie needed a home.

Shelley is the architect of The Salvation Army’s Journey of Hope. The program in Honesdale is designed to provide scaffolding to help clients like Catherine and Catie rebuild their lives. Journey of Hope engages and supports clients while they develop life skills and resources to ultimately succeed on their own.

The Salvation Army Makes a Splash in Lackawanna County

The Salvation Army made quite a splash at Fell Charter School when students lined up at field day to dunk a teacher and raise money for their community. In addition to sack races, tug-of-war, and water balloon tosses, students in grades kindergarten through ninth grade could also purchase balls to throw at a bulls-eye, that when hit, landed the teacher of their choice in a tank of cold water.

Using a dunk tank borrowed from The Salvation Army’s Camp Ladore, the game was among the most popular at the annual field day event and the only community fundraising element of the fun-filled day. The balls sold for $1 each, or 3 for $5, and all proceeds were donated to The Salvation Army. In the two hours the dunk tank was in operation, students raised almost $350.00. The Salvation Army will use the donation to help individuals and families in Simpson and nearby Carbondale.

Fell Charter is home to more than 150 students from throughout Lackawanna County. The school already had a reputation for generosity. In 2015 teachers at Fell Charter opted to teach without pay indefinitely while they awaited the Pennsylvania State budget to pass.

The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre Honors NEPA Business Owners & Philanthropists Joe & Andrea Amato

Joe & Andrea Amato, with Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich

The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre has recognized Joe and Andrea Amato, prominent business owners and philanthropists in Northeast Pennsylvania, for their outstanding commitment to the betterment of the Wilkes-Barre area. The Amato’s received the Community Service Award at The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre’s Annual Dinner on May 18.

Pendel Mission to Cuba: Part One

The Salvation Army of Eastern PA and DE (Pendel) traveled to Cuba in February on a special mission – to renovate the Salvation Army of Cuba’s current headquarters facility into a guest house. The guest house will provide income for the Cuba division and fund the construction of a new divisional headquarters.

Additionally the group  engaged Cubans with music and arts ministries, as well as conducting the Sunday Services at the Central Corps.

The Pendel division has given tremendous support financially to this effort, including:  donated linens for the guest house, laptops, instruments, uniform shirts/ties/socks, toiletries and assorted items which were stuffed in the luggage and horn cases!

Part one of the journey:

September 11, 2001: Fifteen Years Later – Never Forget

Remembering The Salvation Army’s Response to The 9/11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on passenger airliners left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more in need. The Salvation Army was closely involved with the recovery process for survivors in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. following the tragic events of 9/11.

 The Response

Arriving within a half-hour of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, The Salvation Army was one of the first relief organizations to arrive on the scene at “Ground Zero” and provided extensive support for relief workers and volunteers. The Army continued to support recovery efforts throughout the months-long clean-up process. In the months and years that followed, The Salvation Army assisted thousands of people impacted by the September 11 attacks with practical assistance as well as spiritual and emotional care.

MaLT: Changing the Lives of Young Salvationists

Major Debbie Burr, Beverly, Micah and Major Doug Burr, The Salvation Army of Chambersburg

Micah was at a crossroads in his life.  He had successfully completed The Salvation Army’s drug and alcohol treatment program in Greenville, South Carolina. He was strengthening his spirituality and becoming closer in his relationship with God. He was employed by The Salvation Army and was living with a friend in a nice apartment. Although it seemed Micah had turned his life around after years of addiction and turmoil, he felt a void he couldn’t explain.  That’s when the leadership at The Salvation Army of Greenville told Micah about the new “MaLT” program launching in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Supporting City of Philadelphia during Democratic National Convention

Preps Underway 7/21/16

The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Unit stationed in Philadelphia will be supporting the City of Philadelphia by providing hydration to thousands of first responders on duty during the Democratic National Convention, July 23 through July 28.