Social Service Organization Continues to Request Corporate and Public
Support
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As initial relief
efforts wind down following the southern California wildfires, The
Salvation Army is beginning to prepare for the extensive recovery ahead.
The general public, along with corporate donors, already have given
generously to support this ongoing work. While The Salvation Army has
provided more than 160,000 meals and snacks as well as 180,000 drinks for
thousands of first responders and survivors, the effort will now begin
transitioning into the next phase, emphasizing clean up, rebuilding and
financial assistance for those who lost their homes in the fires.
"Only in the last few weeks did we complete our recovery work following
the series of wildfires that devastated this region four years ago. So, we
know that there is a long road ahead," said Lt. Col Doug O'Brien,
Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army's Sierra Del Mar Division covering
San Diego County. "We are blessed to have the support of the public and so
many wonderful corporate partners to help make this transition from relief
to recovery as smooth as possible. We are committed to as much of the
rebuilding process as our resources will allow."
Following the 2003 fires, The Salvation Army spent more than $4 million
on mid-to-long term response and recovery, providing a "one-stop shop" for
fire survivors working to rebuild their lives after losing so much. Once an
applicant's needs have been verified, the Army coordinates with various
governmental and non-governmental agencies to provide direct assistance for
basic needs including food, clothing and other supplies.
In the longer term, Army case-workers also provide resources to help
with insurance issues, finance and budget challenges, benefit applications,
and the myriad of special needs associated with catastrophic loss.
Following the 2003 fires, fully 56 percent of the funds spent went toward
with direct financial aid, with the remainder supporting clean-up and
rebuilding efforts, counseling and case management and meals and drinks for
survivors.
Supporting this long-term effort, to date, The Salvation Army has
received major financial assistance from:
-- The American public: $359,283 tallied so far; $329,062 in online
donations alone
-- Bristol-Myers Squibb: $100,000 pledged
-- Caterpillar Foundation: $200,000; plus the company has pledged to
match up to $300,000 in donations from Caterpillar and Solar
Turbines employees
-- FedEx: $100,000, plus free shipping for Salvation Army-related
disaster packages
-- Home Depot: $20,000, plus an account for The Salvation Army to
purchase items in need
-- Howard Charitable Foundation: $100,000
-- Junior Seau Foundation: 127 $100 gift cards from Mervyn's. Recipients
will receive a 15% discount on purchases. 200 gift cards for
Thanksgiving dinner at Seau's Restaurant in Mission Valley.
-- KFMB-TV (CBS - San Diego) Ch. 8: $502,909 in total fundraising during
three-day telethon, including;
-- Science Applications International Corporation: $50,000
-- Solar Turbines: $25,000
-- Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS): Benefit game at the Home Depot Center
on November 4 against Hollywood United FC, a team comprised of
celebrities including actor Anthony LaPaglia, singer Vivian Campbell
and former World Cup player Frank Leboeuf. Proceeds from the game
will go to The Salvation Army and American Red Cross.
-- Los Angeles Kings (NHL): Benefit games at the STAPLES Center on
October 27, October 31, November 3 and November 10
-- Mattel: 1,000 20 Q Electronic Handheld games (made by Radica
brand); 2,500 UNO card packs; 1,000 American Girl books; Approx
150 Fisher Price Medical Kits
-- PepsiCo: Provided in-kind goods, including pallets of water and
Gatorade-brand sport drink
-- Target: $100,000
-- Safeco: Up to $200,000 total; company has pledged $100,000 to
match employee donations.
-- San Diego Chargers (NFL): $72,000 raised at San Diego Chargers game
on Sunday, October 28
-- San Diego Padres (MLB): Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, first baseman
Adrian Gonzalez and nearly a dozen front office staff assisted The
Salvation Army in serving food and beverages to evacuees at Qualcomm
Stadium.
-- Wal-Mart: About 30 local Wal-Mart stores donated product to relief
organizations, including The Salvation Army; the stores also collected
customer donations to be distributed to aid organizations starting next
week.
-- Washington Mutual: $100,000 pledged
The Salvation Army regrets it cannot individually recognize every donor
and organization that provided support publicly, but wishes to thank those
not mentioned as well.
The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by the
California wildfires to visit http://www.salvationarmyusa.org or call
1-800-SAL-ARMY. Please designate your gift for California wildfire relief.
Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors' most immediate needs.
Donations are used to purchase necessary items that are most needed at that
moment in time based on the unique needs of affected individuals and
families.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian
church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name
without discrimination for 127 years in the United States. More than 35
million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year
through the broadest array of social services that range from providing
food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the
disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the
homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of
every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities
nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
SOURCE Salvation Army
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Related links:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
CONTACT:
Matt Meenan, +1-202-289-4001,
+1-240-602-5559, mmeenan@xenophonstrategies.com, for the
Salvation Army
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