The Salvation Army in Connecticut is mobilizing south to support both the Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma relief efforts. Trained disaster teams begin service in Florida and the US Virgin Islands, while relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey continue in Houston.
The Salvation Army in Southern New England will be sending down a mobile kitchen stocked to immediately serve 1,600 meals and supplies in Fort Myers, Florida. The unit will remain in the area as long as needed. Traveling to Florida are Lieutenant Gavin Yeatts from Bridgeport and Brianne Pierscinski from Waterbury. Lt. Yeatts was one of the first Salvation Army officers to serve at the Orlando night club shooting. Also en route to Florida will be Laura Krueger, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Southern New England. Krueger will serve as the Public Information Officer.
Salvation Army Waterbury Corps Officer, Major James Purvis will be deployed to Houston to continue the long-term recovery efforts there. Major Purvis will serve as a Safety Officer on the Incident Management Assistance Team.
Rich Wildman and volunteer John Adams of Southington will be deployed to St. Thomas, which is part of The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory. Rich Wildman will serve as Government Liaison and John Adams will serve as the Operations Chief.
Nationally, a network of trained disaster staff and volunteers have been deployed to several locations to provide food, hydration, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors. Multiple staging and logistical centers have been established throughout southeastern and Gulf Coast states.
“Response efforts to these catastrophic weather events will be costly and last for years,” said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, The Salvation Army’s National Community Relations and Development Secretary. “With generous public support, The Salvation Army will be here to help the millions affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma for as long as they’re in need.”
The Salvation Army has raised over $20,000,000 for Hurricane Harvey and Irma relief efforts. 100 percent of designated gifts will be used in support of those affected by both weather events.
Disaster Relief Overview (9/12) – 5:00 p.m. CST/ 6:00 p.m. EST
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Harvey
To contribute to The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or text “STORM” to 51555.