• Lt. David Costellow

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano Visits With Salvation Army

Ringgold, GA - May 8, 2011- United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, visited the Joint Disaster Recovery Center in Ringgold, GA today and greeted local disaster response personnel.  Among the many relief agencies represented there was the Salvation Army who is providing physical and spiritual support to local storm survivors.  Secretary Napolitano praised local relief agencies and local residents of Catoosa county who have shown great resilience and initiative in rebuilding their community.  State and local leaders were also on hand to give recognition to both citizens and relief agencies who have tirelessly worked together to rise up from this recent disaster.  

During her visit, Secretary Napolitano greeted Salvation Army staff who were working both inside and outside of the recovery center providing assistance to local survivors.  Currently, the Salvation Army is providing assistance inside the recovery center in the form of nonperishable food boxes and other necessities on a case by case basis depending upon the need as well as serving on the outside at a comfort station providing water and snacks to anyone who has need.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges everyone who has been affected by the storm in any way to register with them as soon as possible to ensure that they receive all possible assistance that may be available to them.  The Disaster Recovery Center is located at 36 Muscogee Trail in Ringgold. 

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 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 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. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.