The Salvation Army on the Move in Georgia
ATLANTA, GA (September 12, 2017) – Wednesday found The Salvation Army of Georgia on the move to confront the panorama of destruction rent across the Peach State after remnants of Irma swept through earlier Monday and Tuesday. As citizens across the state began to return and rebuild, The Salvation Army's Incident Management Team (IMT) moved their location from Atlanta to Savannah, and closer to the most heavily impacted areas in the state.
The damage from Irma's raging winds and punishing rains initially appeared significant and widespread, but short of catastrophic. "This is a story that is yet unfolding," said Major Douglas McClure, Georgia Incident Management Commander. "We are here to help people impacted by the storm and will continually assess the best deployment of our resources to do so."
Additional Salvation Army reinforcements, deployed from the National Capital/Virginia Division, arrives today with seven canteens to help with relief efforts in Georgia. Across the state in fixed and mobile locations, Salvation Army units continue to provide food services and emotional and spiritual care.
On Saturday, September 9, at 2:00 p.m., Regina Scott, her son, daughter and eight grandchildren had to quickly pack and make the trek from Brunswick to Augusta, Georgia. The plan was to stay with Regina's brother who lives in Augusta, but after arriving it became clear that there would not be enough room to house the large family. After looking around town Regina realized she and her family had nowhere to go. "We had no place to stay," recalls Regina, "So my daughter googled shelters around Augusta and ended up finding this one."
The shelter Regina's daughter found is located at Patriots Park, a shelter that happened to be partnered with the Salvation Army.
For many across Georgia, like Regina, The Salvation Army was their shelter in the storm. "That's what we do," said Major McClure. "We help people in their time of need."
Coastal and Southern Georgia area service highlights:
• Savannah Corps – provided feeding for Savannah Civic Center, Hunter Air Field and
Southside Fire Department and Chatham County EOC. Distributed 975 meals and 1,675 drinks and snacks.
• Brunswick – Glenn and McIntosh counties evacuated. No services provided on Monday due to storm.
• Albany – Provided food services to Albany Civic Center; served 1,350meals and 1,700
drinks and snacks.
• Waycross – Provided food support to Ware County High School. Distributed 1,200
meals.
• Valdosta – Currently providing meals, drinks, and snacks at Mathis Auditorium
Distributed 30 meals and 225 drinks and snacks, and spiritual and emotional care for 11
people.
• Thomasville – Provided food support at two locations; Distributed 75 meals, 100 drinks, and spiritual and emotional care for 34 people.
• Tifton – Provided food services at the ABAC-Gressett Gym. Distributed 450 meals and 1,350 drinks and snacks
• Americus – Provided food assistance, including EOC. Distributed 40 meals and 225
drinks and snacks.
Metro Atlanta, central and north Georgia service highlights:
• Metro Atlanta Area Command – Provided accommodations and food support for
additional people. Distributed 250 meals and drinks, provided emotional and spiritual
care for 15 people, distributed 45 comfort kits, and provided shelter for 50 people.
• Central GA Command (Macon) – Provided food support to Brooks East Macon Center, North Park Community Center, Frank Johnson Community Center, and Memorial Park. Distributed 1,700 meals and 1,950 drinks and snacks.
• Columbus – Shelter in operation at the Civic Center. Looking to establish food services shortly.
• Augusta – Family store and Kroc Center both sustained damage. Provided food service to Trinity on the Hill, Brigham Community Center, Patriots Park, Warrant Community Center, Pinehill Middle School, and the EOC. Distributed 1,950 meals and spiritual and emotional care for 50 people.
As of Tuesday evening, September 12, 28,502 meals, 35,899 drinks and 16,875 snacks, and 7,478 contacts for spiritual and emotional care have been provided.
Those who want to help people directly affected by recent hurricanes are asked to donate in the following ways:
Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Text to give: text STORM to 51555
For the latest emergency disaster services news, please visit
www.disaster.salvationarmymusa.org and follow the disaster services team on Twitter
@SalArmyEDS.