• Erika Hammonds

Two DC Area Salvation Army Officers Deployed on the Eve of Hurricane Irene's Landfall

Washington, DC– The Salvation Army announced Friday the deployment of two officers from the Greater Washington area to aid in the response of Hurricane Irene.  According to Major Steve Morris, National Capital Area Commander, Major Earl Fitzgerald of The Salvation Army Fairfax Corps and Major Curt Sayre of The Salvation Army Montgomery County Corps have been dispatched to the Tidewater area to assist in the Army’s disaster response.

 The Salvation Army has been preparing for the impact that may be felt when Hurricane Irene makes landfall this weekend.  The storm is expected to affect a coastal area stretching from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to New England including New York City.

 Commissioner William Roberts, the National Commander of The Salvation Army, has declared Hurricane Irene a national disaster.  This designation means that resources and assets from all forty Salvation Army Divisions and four Territories can be coordinated and deployed to provide service at the point of greatest need. 

 Appealing to the public for support, Major Steve Morris said, “The most critical need right now for The Salvation Army is for monetary gifts.  Donated funds are needed to help pay for meals and drinks as well as cleaning kits as the response to Hurricane Irene moves into high gear over the weekend. Additionally, our hope is that everybody will be praying for the safety and comfort for those affected by this storm.”

 Anyone wishing to donate can go online to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone.  The mailing address for donations is: Disaster Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301, please designate the gift as "2011 Hurricane Season".

 The Salvation Army is holding a Emergency Disaster Volunteer Training on September 10, 2011, in an effort to build a team of people to assist others when disaster strikes. The all-day workshop will be held in Fairfax, Virginia.  Class space is limited.  Therefore, anyone interested in participating should go to SalArmyDC.org for more information.

 About The Salvation Army & the National Capital Area Command

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command assisted more than 62,000 individuals last year from families living across the Greater Washington region by providing help and hope through a diverse range of social services. We offer emergency eviction and utility cut-off prevention assistance, grocery, clothing and furniture vouchers, meals for the hungry and homeless, support for the disabled, elderly and ill, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, disaster relief, transitional housing for single mothers with children and character building opportunities for youth. To receive help or make a donation, please visit SalArmyDC.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  Visit us on YouTube, Twitter or Facebook at keyword SalArmyDC.