The Crucial “Army” behind The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services
When Charlene Smith, a volunteer leader with The Salvation Army’s Service Extension program, heard that her hometown was buried under four feet of water, she set aside her devastation and made the call to everyone she could -at The Salvation Army. By the next day, personnel were on the scene assessing the need in the community.
While the remnants of Hurricane Debby were less widespread in Pennsylvania, it was clear - the impact on Tioga and Potter Counties was life changing, and the full force of The Salvation Army’s Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team were needed.
By the following day, the full force of The Salvation Army’s EDS team deployed to provide crucial relief to survivors of the disaster. The team immediately mobilized to provide 340 flood cleanup kits, fresh clothes and boots, new blankets, and new pillows for anyone who needed them. Smith’s post in Harrison Valley, PA went so far as to hand-deliver hot meals to individuals who didn’t have time to think about food. Many were too busy cleaning and repairing their homes to think about their next meal. These deliveries were particularly helpful to people who lost their car—many of which were washed away in the flash flooding.
“It’s just devastating for us to see our hometown the way it is,” said Smith. “We’ve been doing our very best to reach out to these people. We’re being pulled in a hundred directions by this crisis, but, even though it’s hard, we’re trying to reach everyone we can.”
Charlene continued to speak on the power of prayer during these difficult days, referencing the Emotional and Spiritual Care volunteers and Salvation Army Officers offer to survivors of the flooding. Residents of Tioga and Potter counties have benefited from these services in many different ways – prayer, a hug, or simply a listening ear.
The volunteers in this disaster relief effort have been working long days to support their neighbors and friends. The Salvation Army and local IMT teams continue to provide mental health resources, “It’s the same thing they tell you on airplanes,” said Erik Johnson, Incident Commander for the relief effort, “you have to put your own mask on before you can effectively help others.”
Thanks to the efforts of local and regional volunteers, The Salvation Army has been able to distribute 2,494 meals to date. Local volunteer fire departments have served as a home base for many of these volunteers, offering guidance and logistics as The Salvation Army serves their neighbors. While the EDS team will be de-mobilizing soon, local volunteers like Charlene will stay to support the community with food vouchers, rental assistance, and other much-needed social services.
If you would like to volunteer, or support The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Relief effort, please visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania/help-disaster-survivors/