Motivated by need, rewarded with denim

Our sincerest thanks to the employees at Delta Faucet who collected $3,745 for flood relief (and bought themselves a casual day in the process). What a great effort! And we’re pleased to remind you that 100% of all flood relief donations are being used to directly assist those affected by the flooding.

What does that mean? Well, in the weeks since our emergency services team first mobilized to help in our biggest disaster response since Hurricane Katrina, we’ve been able to help thousands of victims. We’ve responded by setting up operations in Shelby, Morgan, Bartholomew, Rush, Johnson, Owen, Green and Clay Counties. At last report, more than 13,000 meals have been served and nearly 27,000 bottles of water and Gatorade have been distributed. For those who have applied for federal assistance through FEMA in Bartholomew, Morgan and Vigo counties, we’ve provided extended assistance to more than 3,800 people with over $1.1 million in vouchers and/or gift cards to purchase needed household and personal items and local stores. And more than 5,600 families have received groceries and/or flood kits.

We are so grateful to serve a community in which companies understand the value of corporate citizenship and enable their employees to give back as well. It’s through the support of companies like Delta Faucet that we are able to continue “doing the most good” for those who need it most.

But we have a long road of flood recovery ahead of us. Want to help? Sponsor a team and join us at the Red Shield Rally on July 12. The funds raised will be used to offer housing assistance, resources and support to those who find themselves homeless for any number of reasons, including natural disasters. As passionate as we are about emergency disaster relief, these programs are in place to offer support to those struggling to make ends meet months from now after the urgency has faded. Call Kristen at 224-1019 to rally against homelessness.

The Army runs on Dunkin’

We had the priviledge of welcoming Dunkin’ Donuts to the corner of Washington and Pennsylvania Streets this morning at their grand opening ceremony. Our brass band entertained the long line of customers eager to sample all the donut-y goodness. After a few words from the Deputy Mayor of Indianappolis and the assembled dignitaries, Major Amick was presented with a donation. Then came the Running of the Cups when their mascots ran 6 dozen donuts over to our staff and clients at the Social Services Center on Alabama Street.

We’ve been fortunate to partner with Dunkin’ in the past – we joined them at the grand opening of their Kentucky Avenue store and they joined our team at Celebrity Bell Ringing on the Circle last winter. We’ve had a great relationship and we’re extremely appreciative of the donation today. So, thanks to Dennis Gramm (owner) and Vicki DeSalvo (marketing coordinator) and the new DD crew in town!

And even though the donuts made ‘em famous, stop by and check them out for lunch…the turkey/bacon flatbread sandwich and coolatta are great!

 

Calling all Restaurants/Caterers

Starting tomorrow, Salvation Army Canteens will serve daily meals (for at least a week) to approximately 200 people in Martinsville and Mooresville.

Here’s where you come into the equation. Feeding 200 individuals is a huge task and will once again stretch The Salvation Army’s resources. This donation is a hands-on way to reach out to our fellow Hoosiers, to offer these men, women and children a hot meal while they’re trying to recover from this devestation. If you represent a restaurant or are a caterer who can help provide meals to these families, give me a call at 224-1019.

Our role is to feed these families 2-3 meals per day as they are being housed in the following local hotels:

Lost Inn – 100 Hopkins Trail E. Mooresville, IN 46158 (3 meals)

Holiday Inn Express – 2233 Burton Lane Martinsville, IN 46151 (lunch & dinner)

Super 8 – 55 Bills Blvd. Martinsville, IN 46151 (3 meals)

Thanks to all of you who continue to call and get involved. Your participation has been crucial to our response. Just to give you an update on what we’re doing with your support, The Salvation Army has assisted storm victims in Marion, Shelby, Morgan, Rush, Bartholomew, Johnson, Owen, Green, Clay, Vigo, and Brown Counties. To date, more than 10,500 meals have been served and over 18,000 bottles of water and Gatorade have been distributed. More than 2,300 clean up kits have also been distributed.

The Salvation Army has also provided Extended Assistance to storm victims who have applied for Federal Assistance through FEMA. Those receiving Extended Assistance are given vouchers and/or gift cards to purchase needed household items at local stores. To date, more than 766 individuals and 256 families have received Extended Assistance through The Salvation Army.

Doing more ‘most good’

As a part of the largest Salvation Army disaster effort since Hurricane Katrina, our disaster services team and volunteers are working around the clock to help anyone who needs it. They answer the hotline, pass out snacks and bottles of water and help others clean up and move on. Currently, we’re running operations in Shelby, Morgan, Bartholomew, Rush, Johnson, Owen, Green, and Clay Counties.  We have 3 fixed feeding sites, 8 mobile feeding vehicles, and 1 shelter providing hydration, meals, snacks, clean-up kits, insect repellent, sun screen, baby products, and hygiene products. 

That’s pretty remarkable. But that team is a lot bigger than the staff and volunteers, it includes so many businesses and organizations who’ve picked up the phone to find out what we need. Like the folks at Snyder’s of Hanover snacks who heard the call for help and offered up 28 pallets of snacks for distribution at our canteens and centers. Or, the guys at Penske Logistics who will be using their trucks to haul clean up kits and supplies. Like our long-time friends at Wal-Mart and Target who are sending cash and supplies. We thank each and every partner and new friend.

There’s quite a lot going on this weekend. We’ve got a truck in the parking lot of the Shelbyville Wal-Mart that’s collecting donations. Tonight is the fund-raiser at ICE Ultra Lounge, downtown on Meridian Street. I’ll be out at Verizon Wireless Music Center with some volunteers ringing the bells at the Rascal Flatts concert tomorrow night. And there’s so many of you who haven’t shared what you’re doing, but we know that we’ll see the fruits of your labor in time.

At last count, more than 5,000 meals have been served and nearly 10,000 bottles of water and Gatorade have been handed out. As you can imagine, this kind of response pushes our resources to the limit. (If you’d like to donate, click here) But, through the support of our community and partners like you, we can continue “doing the most good” for those who need it most.

 

Greatest mistake is to do nothing

“It is the greatest mistake to do nothing because you can only do little -do what you can.” – Sydney Smith, English author

My phone has been on fire this morning! The calls from our corporate partners have been pouring in and we are truly grateful for your support.

When William Booth founded The Salvation Army in 1865, his mission was to meet the needs of the poorest in London in a practical, holistic way – providing food, shelter and counsel. And today, we’re able to stay true to that original mission and provide that same practical service to our fellow Hoosiers affected by the flooding.

Partners like you are helping us reach out to the flood victims in a variety of ways. The folks at Kaplan Financial and Brighpoint Communications are conducting hydration drives where employees are bringing in bottled water and Gatorade. (Flood victims are at a shortage for clean water since many of those counties are on water boil orders.) Others, like Tree of Life Bookstores and Delta Faucet, are collecting funds from employees and customers. And Fifth-Third Bank is collecting funds at their area branches.

Not sure how to join the relief efforts? Give me (Kristen) a call at 224-1019. Every donation counts (whether it’s $1 or $10,000) since 100% of our donations in times of emergency go directly to those in need.

Thank you to all of you who are helping. Your partnership is crucial each and every day of every year! 

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