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.

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.