Comics Care at IUPUI

The Comics That Care: Auggie Smith, Mike Polites, Marques Bunn, and Stan Chen. Over 2 hours of laughter echoed through the IUPUI Campus Center as The Department of Communication Studies, the Communication Club, and the Salvation Army presented the 4th annual Comics That Care charity event to benefit Central Indiana’s Homeless Children. Some of the area’s funniest professional stand-up comedians donated their time, including the headliner, a Bob and Tom Show favorite, Auggie Smith. Smith, has been doing comedy for over 15 years and has been seen on Comedy Centeral . Other comedians performing were some of Indy’s funniest folks including: Stan Chen, Marques Bunn, and Mike Polites.

In addition to performing stand-up comedy, Polites is also a Lecturer in Communication Studies at IUPUI. Polites says that “as faculty members at IUPUI, we pride ourselves on getting our students to realize the importance of helping out the community. With all of the comedians graciously donating their time, proceeds from the comedy show will assist in bringing much-needed resources to the growing homeless population in Indianapolis. I’m so proud of the efforts that my students have put forth in coordinating this very special and very funny event. In these tough times, everyone can use a laugh.”

Dine to Donate this Friday!

Noodles & Company has organized a Dine to Donate event set for Friday, March 12 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. to benefit The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Bites Campaign – a campaign to help end homelessness in Indianapolis. Print the flier below or simply mention this fundraiser at the Noodles & Company located at 3450 W 86th St and Purdue Rd (at the Pyramids) and 25 percent of the sales, good for dine-in and carry-out, will go towards The Salvation Army.

Noodles & Company Flier

Brazos Fuertos Alrededor de Chile: Strong Arms Around Chile

According to Salvation Army World Services Office (SAWSO), $55,758 has been donated to the relief efforts in Chile, via online, telephone, and text. The Salvation Army in Chile continues to adapt to the changing conditions while expanding its emergency relief response in both Central and Southern Chile. A curfew has been established from 6:00 PM until 12:00 PM the next day in the Concepcion and Talcahuano area in Southern Chile and cities closest to the epicenter. Salvation Army personnel have to have special authorization to travel during the tightly controlled curfew period. This authorization and assigning security personnel to Army staff members will allow safe travel during curfew and much needed distribution of supplies to those in need.

As the magnitude of devastation continues to escalate, Salvation Army officers, soldiers and volunteers continue to work feverishly to provide support and comfort to those affected. In Santiago, several young Salvationist professionals are reaching out and creating databases to facilitate more efficient registration of clients by social workers. Additionally, they continue to strive to make contact with the Christian media in the Santiago metropolitan region.

On Thursday, March 4, the Christian media held a fundraising campaign in 12 locations throughout the city to collect donations. These funds will be used to keep the media on the air. On Saturday, March 6, trucks were used to deliver the goods donated to Concepcion and surrounding areas, with the help of some TSA EDS vehicles.

The Salvation Army Corps in Concepcion is recognized for their League of Mercy ministry. The League of Mercy of the Hualpencillo Corps has stepped up to meet the needs and challenges caused by the earthquake and tsunami and are fully engaged in emergency response activities. Major Juan Carlos Alarcon, Divisional Commander of the Chile Southern Division, has arrived in Hualpencillo from Temuco. Major Alarcon had been given moving orders recently and was to have transferred this week, however, his leaving has been postponed.

As the Chilean Salvation Army works on the transition of officers and appointments, the Chilean government is also in transition. On March 12, the new governor of the country will be inaugurated. While many believed that the central region of Chile was not affected, many buildings in Santiago are now being condemned because of damage from the earthquake. The strong aftershocks which have reached up to 6.3 on the Richter scale have impacted the infrastructure of many buildings to the point where at least two to three 18 – 25 story apartment complexes in Santiago have had to turn their residents away and evacuate a five block radius so the buildings can be imploded in the near future. Many families have been displaced, and all socioeconomic levels are being affected by this disaster.

Salvation Army facilities have been severely damaged in both Central and Southern Chile. In the Central Division alone, the assessments were completed on Wednesday and damages are estimated at over $500,000. In South Chile, it is too early to have estimates in dollar figures although it is known some structures are now uninhabitable. A Boys home, serving 35 children operates in the coastal town of Llolleo. The administration, dining and kitchen areas are heavily damaged. This is a structure that has withstood over 60 years of natural disasters. Aftershocks continue to inflict damage on the complex. In El Faro, The Salvation Army has had to completely halt all services for fear of infrastructure collapse. This complex provided housing to college students whose hometowns are far from this community so they reside at The Salvation Army.

Lt. Colonel F. Bradford Bailey, Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army South America West explains that this has been a very deceiving earthquake. It initially did not show signs of catastrophic proportions, but seems to be breaking down the infrastructure from the inside out. Lt. Colonel Bailey also notes “this earthquake has not only caused physical damage but is has caused damage to the psyche and social conditions of Chile. It has brought out the best and the worst of Chileans. Many are very disappointed in their countrymen (i.e. looting, vandals), while others have stepped up to help and provide strength that is immeasurable.” He went on to say that “this is where The Salvation Army has an opportunity to step up to offer a ministry of presence, and many church members are finding a chance to share their relationship with God. This combined catastrophe will continue to not only affect the pocketbooks of the Government and its citizens, but also the soul of the Chileans.”

Santiago Metropolitan region:

• The Salvation Army is now providing an average of 3,000 meals per day and these numbers continue to grow as three meals a day are served.
• Water, first aid supplies, blankets, candles and other emergency supplies are to be distributed as needed.

Southern Chile:

• Many towns are no longer in place, totally destroyed by the tsunami. Some of these towns include Tome, Dichato, Constitucion, Talca, and others.
• Much of the south is without water, electricity and other utilities making cooking and heating almost impossible.

Concepcion:

• Corps Officers, soldiers, and volunteers continue to provide emergency services to displaced residents.

Hualpen:

• The Hualpencillo Corps continues to serve as a headquarters for food distribution.
• As of March 3, they now have three emergency disaster crews carrying provisions to outlying areas.
• Additional teams are being deployed from Santiago.
• The Corps Sgt. Major in this city lost her home to the tsunami, but is camped out in a tent at the courtyard of the property to help take care of people who are less fortunate and in greater need than she is at this time.

Talca:

• The Salvation Army has asked the Chilean Emergency Disaster Ministries to open up a fourth front to provide emergency services. TSA has offered to handle emergency distribution to this community.

The Salvation Army set up a Chile relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 by text messaging the word “CHILE” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, and PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Chile Earthquake.”

Chile Relief Efforts

From Salvation Army USA -

The Salvation Army continues to provide emergency services in Chile as many remain missing or without basic necessities. We are networking with other Christian evangelical groups to support and comfort those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck February 27. Items that are being provided by these partners include donations of clothing, non-perishable foods, bed linens, cots, and tents.

As reported previously, the hardest hit areas of Chile are Concepcion (750,000 pop. and located slightly inland), Valdivia, Haulpen, and Tajquiana, a port city. The emergency disaster headquarters are being established at the Hualpencillo Salvation Army Corps which is located between the coast and Concepcion. Many of the tents erected at the Corps are displaced Salvation Army Officers and members whose homes have been washed away. An emergency disaster team brought a generator to provide electricity, as well as additional food to be packaged or cooked for survivors. One of the main ingredients that will be distributed is flour, as bread is a main Chilean staple for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In the Santiago metropolitan region, approximately 1,500 – 2,000 persons are being served daily with hot meals, water, first aid items, and other emergency supplies. There is concern about food distribution due to the unrest and looting that has been occurring, so The Salvation Army is hopeful that we will be provided some protection from local police. Supplies are being purchased by funding already received from International Headquarters as well as local donations.

Some of the supplies that will be delivered include:

• Milk donated by the Swiss government
• Non-perishable foods
• Clothing donated by Canada, USA Central, and USA Eastern territories
• Linens including blankets and bedding
• Tents
• Purified water
• Tools to assist with clearing efforts

You can donate to the relief efforts in Chile by texting “Chile” to 52000 or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

American Legion aids in Haiti cause

The Salvation Army received $2,000 from the American Legion on Feb. 10, 2010 to help in the relief efforts in Haiti. Four American Legion members came to present the funds.

American Legion Commander Dan Gates from the Broad Ripple post 3 said that they were donating to The Salvation Army “because of their reputation.” Read more

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