NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Salvation Army is on the ground across the Gulf Coast region with a mission to feed, hydrate, and give help and hope to those impacted by Hurricane Ida.
This week, twenty-five Salvation Army officers and specially trained emergency disaster volunteers from Georgia were relieved after a 14-day deployment by a second team of fifteen volunteers from Georgia. The Georgia Salvation Army officers and volunteers have been in service in the New Orleans and Gonzalez, LA areas since shortly after Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 29. In addition, two Salvation Army officers from Georgia are serving as part of leadership teams – all will serve alongside a large contingent of Salvation personnel from many other states already serving on the ground.
“Our disaster workers, which are mainly volunteers, are our most valuable resource,” says Lanita Lloyd, The Salvation Army of Georgia’s Emergency Services Director. “We highly value their dedicated service and willingness to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida.”
Emergency disaster volunteers from Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Rome, Savannah, and Waycross, GA will serve in the Gonzalez, LA area, while their counterparts from Atlanta, Decatur, Elberton, Lawrenceville, and Sugar Hill, GA will serve in the New Orleans area.
The new volunteers will meet each morning with their respective Incident Management Teams to determine their daily service response areas and to load supplies onto their canteens (mobile kitchens) and other Salvation Army service response vehicles. The Salvation Army vehicles will serve hot meals, snacks, and drinks to those impacted by Hurricane Ida.
“It’s hard work and the days are long,” says Clint Poss, a Salvation Army disaster volunteer from Rome, GA, “but it is very rewarding work, and I would not take anything for this experience.”
The length of service for Salvation Army disaster personnel is normally a 14-day deployment, but The Salvation Army’s commitment to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida has no expiration date.
“The Salvation Army of Georgia teams will be helping those impacted by Hurricane Ida for as long as needed,” said Ms. Lloyd.
How You Can Help:
The best way to help survivors and relief workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors as the situation continues to be assessed.
- Donate Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
- Donate by Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
For the latest Salvation Army emergency disaster services news related to Hurricane Ida, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow the Salvation Army disaster services team on Twitter @SalArmyEDS. www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
