The Salvation Army has been deployed to the southern Oklahoma City area in the wake of Monday’s devastating tornado. The twister touched down west of Newcastle, Oklahoma at approximately 2:56pm and tore a 22 mile path of destruction northeast through the city of Moore before dissipating prior to reaching Stanley Draper Lake. Early estimates suggest that the tornado peaked as a category EF4 which includes winds speeds between 166 and 200 mph.

Emergency Disaster Services has been on the scene across three counties providing food, beverage, and spiritual support to survivors and first responders.

• In Pottawatomie County: The McAlester and Shawnee disaster response teams served multiple locations in the Shawnee area, including devastated neighborhoods and rural areas throughout the night and day. Around 3:00 PM all units were pulled into safety as tremendous storms threatened the area. Response teams were sent out once again after an all-clear was given.
• In Lincoln County: The Enid, OK canteen provided breakfast, lunch & dinner to the Carney, OK area throughout the early morning hours and all day today.
• In Cleveland County: The Central Oklahoma Area Command Disaster Service Unit responded to the Little Axe area with breakfast, lunch & dinner today. The Salvation Army was responding, even as one of our Salvation Army family member’s home was destroyed.

The Salvation Army is taking donations to help the relief effort. 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.

Donors are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org 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

This week is a time for us to thank all of our generous donors and volunteers who provide support to our programs and services. Without the public’s support, we would be unable to provide vital human services to those in our community who need them the most. These services include food for the hungry, activities and programs for seniors, emergency utility assistance, opportunities for underprivileged children, residential programs for pregnant and / or parenting teens, relief for disaster victims, camping programs for youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, housing assessment programs, and much more.

Thank You!

The public can support National Salvation Army Week and other local initiatives by sending financial gifts directly to The Salvation Army, 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3849 or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or 616.459.3433. For more information, please visit our website at sawmni.org.

A Brief Donut Day History

The Donut Day tradition began on the battlefields of France during World War One, when Salvation Army workers went to the front to deliver spiritual aid and comfort to US soldiers and their allies and serve as a link between the soldiers and their families back home. Salvation Army “Donut Lassies” served coffee and donuts to soldiers in the trenches to bring them cheer. Donut Day became an official Salvation Army annual fundraising event in 1938 in Chicago.

The holiday, held annually on the first Friday of June, was established by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” who served the treats to soldiers during World War I. This significant occasion established the donut as a long-standing symbol of the services The Salvation Army continues to provide.

Though that world war has come and gone, The Salvation Army continues this tradition every year on the first Friday in June. This year, the 76th annual National Doughnut Day falls on June 7th and to celebrate this event The Salvation Army’s Action Group is partnering with Krispy Kreme to give away 2000 doughnuts to show appreciation for local businesses and organizations that are helping to make Grand Rapids a better community.

If you know of a upstanding, hard-working business and would like to nominate them to be a Donut Day recipient, please visit our nomination page.

Please stay tuned to our website and social media for updates of our visits and thanks as always for your support!

The Salvation Army Action Group‘s mission is to encourage and foster relationships between young individuals in the greater Grand Rapids community and The Salvation Army. Through community events and education we hope to build a community of young individuals focused on service to others. If you are interested in volunteering for the event or learning more about the Action Group, please contact Angela DeVries at (616) 459-3433 or Angela_DeVries@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Check out some pictures of the people we were able to visit on National Donut Day!

The timeless experience of overnight summer camp evokes fond memories for many citizens of west Michigan. It is also an experience that many families cannot afford. Little Pine Island Camp is located just north of Grand Rapids, and provides seven weekly overnight camping sessions for hundreds of youth. Three-quarters of the campers live below the poverty line, but many are able to attend the camp with little or no cost to their family. The camp carefully selects staff each year to guide campers through well-planned programs maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.

The purpose of Pine Island Camp is to serve the physical, social, and spiritual needs of each individual camper. The camp helps meet these needs by helping campers develop the foundation of good health habits like proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest. The camp addresses the social needs of the campers in a group living arrangement where campers have the opportunity to make good decisions and foster independence. Campers spiritual needs are met though discussion on the spiritual dimensions of life illustrated by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

For more information, click here.

As much as he has accomplished and as busy as he remains today, he still speaks highly of The Salvation Army and the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center where he is a member and works out regularly. “The Kroc Center is Grand Rapids’ best kept secret,” Chef O explains. “When you come here, you experience serenity. It’s in the air – and you can feel it the minute you walk through the front door,” he adds. Chef O uses a wide variety of exercise equipment at the Kroc Center, primarily to stay fit and to improve his cardio health. As much as he is motivated by the physical aspects of his Kroc membership, he is the first to mention that there is another factor in play, “I’m not only motivated by the physical stuff, but the spiritual aspect, as well. This is more than a gym – I like to think of it as God’s house.”

The rain stopped several days ago – but the flood relief continues. And now more than ever, The Salvation needs your help! The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services needs volunteers to assist with flood relief efforts – now through May 3.

Volunteer Positions:
The following volunteer positions are available:

Clean Up Crew
Times available: First shift is 7:30am to 11:00am daily, Second is 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Description: Clean out canteens and re-stock supplies
Number of positions available each day: 5
Qualifications: Must be able to bend and lift

Canteen Drivers
Times Available: Lunch shift 9:30am to 3:00pm & dinner shift 3:00pm to 8:30pm
Description: Pick up food, and drive the canteen to designated location and help to serve food
Number of positions available: 4 per shift (8 daily)
Qualifications: Must have a chauffeur’s license and be an approved Salvation Army driver. Salvation Army EDS training preferred.

Canteen Volunteers
Times Available: Lunch shift 9:30am to 3:00pm & dinner shift 4:15pm to 8:30pm
Description: Help serve meals and provide other disaster care relief as necessary
Number of positions available: 4 per shift (8 daily)
Qualifications: Must be 18 years or older. Salvation Army EDS training preferred.

Runner Volunteers
Times Available: 9:30am to 8:30pm daily
Description: Run out to help pick up and deliver supplies as necessary
Number of positions available: 2 per day
Qualifications: Must be an approved Salvation Army driver

General Helpers
Times Available: 8:30am to 8:30pm daily
Description: Help with various support activities at the Incident Command office, including cleaning, packing materials, unloading, and providing administrative help (calling volunteers, etc.)

Please call The Salvation Army at 616.459.3433 ext 1514 to sign up to volunteer or email volunteer.salvationarmy@gmail.com

While one person’s street is flooded, another person’s home is flooded. While one person has lost their home due to flooding in Grand Rapids, another person has lost their life due to a bombing in Boston.

From our home town to around the nation – in a time when it seems that we are surrounded by struggle – it’s inspiring to see a community come together in common cause. Since severe flooding began in the Grand Rapids area on April 18, a grateful community has come together to provide relief and support.

Over 100 volunteers who have logged nearly 800 hours in emergency disaster services relief efforts have helped The Salvation Army distribute approximately 1,000 meals, 3,000 units of hydration and 4,000 snacks with three Salvation Army mobile kitchens (canteens). Support was provided to five emergency shelters, volunteers at two sandbag-filling locations, a local apartment facility (Park Place Apartments) with safe transportation to return residents after an evacuation to the Kentwood Community Center and emergency cots and blankets to a local retirement community (Sunset). Currently, The Salvation Army is collaborating with other local relief agencies in offering support to neighborhoods that have been hit the hardest.

“The Salvation Army is committed to serving our neighborhood in need during this difficult time,” said Major Bob Mueller, Kent County Coordinator. “We will continue to support relief and recovery efforts both now and when the flood waters recede and the clean-up phase of the storm begins,” Major added.

The public can support Emergency Disaster Services flood relief efforts and other local initiative by sending their financial gifts directly to The Salvation Army at 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3849, online here or by calling 616-459-3433 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

 
Updated on April 17th, 2013:

The Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders in Boston, Massachusetts, following the explosions that occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line Monday, which resulted in at least three deaths and left more than 140 people injured.

• Four Salvation Army canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) were positioned at various sites throughout the city, including the Unified Command Post, the Family Assistance Center at the Park Plaza Castle, and Kenmore Square.
• The canteens were mobilized to Boston from nearby Salvation Army locations in Malden, Fitchburg, New Bedford, and Springfield.
• The Salvation Army will remain on-site at the Family Assistance Center as long as support is needed.
• As of Tuesday afternoon, 2,229 meals, snacks and beverages were supplied to the survivors, families and first responders.
• The survivors and first responders also received emotional and spiritual care from 12 Salvation Army officers and 23 Salvation Army staff and volunteers.
• Eight Salvation Army officers were also deployed to each of the area hospitals where the injured were transported to be on-hand if pastoral care was needed.

The Salvation Army is in constant communication with city and state emergency personnel, and will continue to provide support as needed and requested.

• The Salvation Army is collaborating with the Office of Emergency Management, the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Police Department, Sparks, the American Red Cross, the Department of Child, Youth and Families (DCYF), Riverside Trauma, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

The Salvation Army is extremely gratified for the continued support of the public.

• At this time, the best way to be of assistance is to make a financial contribution at www.salvationarmyma.org/marathonrelief.
• Personnel trained in crisis response are providing service. If you would like to volunteer for future needs or to be trained in disaster response, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

For continued updates and more information from The Salvation Army, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.

Posted on April 16th, 2013:
The Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders in Boston, Massachusetts, after two explosions occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line Monday afternoon. The blasts caused three deaths and 144  injuries for runners and spectators.

Salvation Army officers and volunteers have deployed two canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) to downtown Boston; one of the canteens will be stationed at the staging area for emergency responders, and the other will be stationed at a gathering spot for impacted families. Salvation Army officers who are trained in crisis counseling are also headed to relevant locations to provide emotional and spiritual care.

“The Salvation Army will be onsite for as long as needed to provide support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and all who were impacted by the explosions,” said Major Ron Busroe, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is in constant communication with city and state emergency personnel, and will be providing support as needed and requested.

For continued updates and more information from The Salvation Army, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.

If you’ve ever eaten at a McDonald’s restaurant, you were indirectly supporting a number of charities like The Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House and St. Vincent de Paul. That’s because McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc and his wife, Joan, were generous philanthropists.

Ray Kroc passed away in 1984. Four years later, Joan announced that she was donating $80 million for the building of the first Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, to be located in a beleaguered city neighborhood in San Diego. Her vision was to create a place where all people, regardless of social status, had access to a world-class recreational, educational and cultural arts facility.

As of her death in 2003, more than 3 million people had visited the San Diego Kroc Center, far exceeding Joan’s hopes. And now more children than Joan could have ever envisioned will have opportunities they might never have had. Thanks to Joan’s $1.5 billion donation to The Salvation Army, Kroc Centers have been built across the nation — including the one that opened right here in our own city of Grand Rapids in 2010!

For more information, visit grkroccenter.org

More recently, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services collaborated with the Southern Baptist Convention in clean-up and recovery efforts. Nearly 500 meals, drinks and snacks have been distributed to volunteers and those directly affected by the flooding by the Emergency Disaster Services Mobile Kitchen. Due to continuing cold weather and the fact that remaining ice in some yards and homes still measures over a foot thick, operation recovery has been suspended until April 15.

Currently, The Salvation Army’s role is to supply meals for volunteers who are participating in clean-up activities as well as gathering damage assessment information from the Southern Baptist Convention and the local township. Future plans include dispersing funds raised by the Muskegon River Association and the local community to homeowners affected by the flooding. It is estimated that recovery efforts will continue into late spring or early summer.