IN YOUR OWN WORDS
If you'd like to share your story with us, please email Kristy_Pluim@usc.salvationarmy.org
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April 17, 2009
On March 24, 2009 the Red River reached 17.5 feet marking the third highest crest on record. Advanced preparations...were essential in protecting our community from the potential destruciton of a major flood event.
The coordination of resources has been exceptional; The Salvation Army (especially Biran Skaar) helped to maintain our strong turnout of volunteers and to keep our community guardsmen, public works and public safety personnel proactive throughout the entire high water event.
The City of Wahpeton will continue to prepare for the unexpected and appreciate teh fact we are well served by the commitment of your organization and staff.
Sincerely,
James Sturdevant
Mayor of Wahpeton
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Letter in the Beulah Beacon Newspaper
I am writing this letter because I think that as a city we need to be
very grateful for all the help that
we received during the recent flood/blizzard from The Salvation Army,
headed up by our local representative
Sue Stoner.
The Salvation Army was at the
Beulah Civic Center starting on
March 22 and continued to be there until March 29, but is still answering the phones and helping those in need until this day (April 4).
I am unsure that our city is completely aware (myself included) of all that The Salvation Army did for us. The warm meals were prepared by them and when it came time to clean up they were there, calling everyone in the flood zone to find out their need and finding volunteers to fill it. When people had questions
about clean up, FEMA, what to do
with their insurance agency, hours
of the transfer station, etc.; who
helped solve their problems? The
Salvation Army.
So I say thank you Salvation
Army for being there 110 percent when we as a city needed you the
most. Our hearts will forever be grateful.
Laura Bauer,
Beulah, ND
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Letter to the Editor in Pine County Courier
On March 21, my son Patrick and husband Al were sitting and talking
and wondering when Patrick would
get called back to work. He is a
heavy equipment operator for Strata
Corp. that is located in Grand Forks,
N.D.
Ten minutes into thc conversation
the phone rang and it was
Patrick's boss. He asked how fast
Patrick could get there. I know the look on my
face was of concern. He said "Please mom don't start." meaning I
would start crying and be worried
what he was getting into. You know
a mother's job is to worry!
He called
me when he got there. He went to a
new town, Valley City, N.D., met
new people and had to find a new
place to call home until the flooding
was over. He calls about every other
night to keep us posted. He tells us
we just can't imagine what it is like
there. No we can't!
He is putting in 12-18 hours a day. These are long hours for a 20-year-old young man or for that matter
anyone.
He told me people are bringing warm home cooked meals for all the
flood workers. One day it was
Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes
and all the fixings and another day it was a complete turkey dinner. He gets a home cooked meal every day. Well
that warmed my heart to know he
was getting a hot meal and it was
home cooked.
The meals were provided by The
Salvation Army. Thank you God for
the Salvation Army!
Cheri,
Sandstone, MN
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I just wanted to say thanks for The Salvation Army Staff and all your help. You guys are great. I don’t know what I would have done this whole year with out you. The time and the effort you all spend with the kids is just so great.
All I can say is that I thank God for people like you. My girls have chance for the better.
If it was not for the after school program and the reading program, I don’t know what my girls would have done after school was out.
Lanique is now reading at a 3rd grade level and Lyric is now reading at a 4th grade level.
It takes
a lot to be able to handle children with different backgrounds and walks of life. But when God puts people like you guys in their lives it makes a difference.
Thank you very much for everything and all the love and efforts.
Thanks again,
Sharon
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I am so grateful and thankful that the The Salvation Army is Christ-based in its assistance to people in need.
TSA is one of so few groups that instill confidence because of its superior reputation and that comes from being
blessed by God.
May The Army continue to be blessed as it meets the needs of a hurting people.
Barb Mooneyham
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I just sent a donation to your outfit.
Not that it was big or anything along those lines, but I feel you do more good than anyone else.
I seen what you did at Grand Forks a few years ago. I seen what you did at some other deals over the years and I have never forgotten that. Now my company LJLano Services is out of business but I'm still here and kicking and I really appreciate what you do for the less fortunate of our people.
You can bet I will always have a soft spot in my heart for your outfit.
Not only does The Salvation Army do the talk but they do the walk as well. You cannot help but love the Salvation Army. A person never knows when they will be in need. Things can be great one day and the next day everything can go to hell on you.
My wife and I have worked the soup line over the years and when you see those folks you know if it were not for the grace of God you could be in that line as well.
Life deals out some real tough cards and if it were not for our creator we would not be here as a group of people.
Respectfully,
Lloyd Lano
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I'm a former resident of the men's shelter program at Harbor Light. I would like to take this moment to express my appreciation for the outstanding service I received while being at Harbor Light. I am very grateful to say it was really easy to work and talk with the staff at Harbor Light. The staff was always friendly and willing to help, from security to the kitchen staff all the way to the advocates and cleaning crew. I must say it was the great attitudes of these people that made my transition from the shelter to living independently a smooth process. The staff provided me with mulitiple resources and positive reinforcement. I can definitely say without the support of your great staff my transition would not have been possible.
Earl Howard
Minneapolis, MN
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When I am on disaster assignment with FEMA I often meet wonderful people along the way who give of themselves as volunteers with The Salvation Army emergency disaster services. When I come away from these experiences I frequently think and say things like because of the “goodness of the American people” resources are available to help people affected by disaster. When I say this in the future I will immediately bring to mind the team of dedicated Salvation Army volunteers I worked with in Northwood, North Dakota last week.
On Fargo EDS Unit #301 I met Sandy, a retired EMT; Millie, a volunteer ham radio operator; Gary, a 41 year employee of American Crystal in Fargo (who educated me about sugar beets); Bob from Grand Forks; and Kathy, EMT and wife of Fargo EDS Director Steve Carbno. Thanks to Grand Forks Envoys Mike and Kris Fuqua I was loaned an EDS smock and was able to serve a few hours on Unit 301 myself as it roved the streets of devastated Northwood. It didn’t take long for me to see the love and compassion so much a part of this team as Kathy and Gary administered first aid to a survivor and others of the team hopped out of the unit to check on those they had befriended and ministered to along the way.
Everywhere we went came the words “thank you,” “thank God for The Salvation Army,” and “bless you” often with a tear in the eye of those touched. “You took good care of me in the 97 flood” was often heard as well. Earlier in the day while conducting FEMA business Envoy Mike gave me a tour of the town and I watched as he stopped his van and went over to hug and speak with one of the survivors thus providing that special element of what The Salvation Army does, bringing the presence of Jesus into great tragedy. I hope your Divisional Commander Major Sjogren will have an opportunity to thank these outstanding representatives and others of your organization who gave and are giving of themselves so willingly.
I am grateful to have been a part of that ministry even for a few hours and so very grateful for the outstanding service The Salvation Army is providing in and around Northwood to those in need of a meal, a listening heart, a prayer, and a word of encouragement.
May God bless you and your continuing ministry to those suffering from disaster and the many other services you provide on a daily basis to people in need.
Sincerely,
Jon
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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I just wanted to say thanks to you and the Salvation Army for making our camp weekend possible. It was quite a learning experience for both of my kids, who had their minds set not to go to camp because they thought it might be boring since none of their friends would be there. (Well, BIG surprise for them! Huh?) They discovered how to make new friends, young and old.
The camp was beautiful and very welcoming to the families. The facilities were clean and functional. The staff were polite, friendly and helpful. And the Lord was accommodating in everyway...the weather, good fellowship and his blessings for everyone.
As we were leaving the campgrounds, I had asked them if they had a good weekend? My son said, "Let's do it again! Ok, Mom? Next weekend, ok?" And my daughter stated she wanted to be a camp counselor possibly next year or in the future. Quite a change from all the groaning I heard all week. Unbelievable!!
All in all, everyone had fun, they learned about respect, sharing with others, team work, compassion, empathy, trust and the love of Jesus.
Again, thank you so much for this experience and making it possible.
Hope to see you next year!!
God Bless everyone,
Cindi
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Hi, We recieved a letter from you reminding us that we have been contributing to the Sal. Army since 1977. and I would like to tell you why... When I was a single Mom in the 50s and 60s. I struggled to make a living for myself and my two girls. Somehow you got my name and sent me a card to come in and get Christmas Gifts for my children. I was over joyed. It meant they would have gifts at Christmas. It meant more to me than I can ever express to you to be able to give my girls gifts they would have never received. So you all have a special place in my heart. Beside all that we all have become believers and all our grandchildren also have come to a personal relationship with Jesus. Thank you so much for the part you played in our lives. I will forever be grateful. That is why I/we remember you and your wonderful organization.
God bless you all,
Norma
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I've been a bell ringer and Toy Shop volunteer. The current Scope "Coats for Kids" is the best telling of The Salvation Army story I've ever seen. My dad was a WWI veteran. He had high praise for the Doughnut Girl Lassies of The Slavaiton Army. I make an annual support gift--well spent. May God bless your efforts.
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The reasons why I have chosen to support The Salvation Army are somewhat unorthodox, but I will explain. Growing up in southern Texas, I don't remember hearing much about The Salvation Army.
After 3 years of military service, I was released from active duty in 1955. Shortly after taht time I saw a movie entitled "Guys and Dolls", which starred Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Jeanne Simmons, who played the part of a Salvation Army worker.
I was impressed with the way in which The Salvation Army workers were portrayed--dedicated people working in a hostile environment. That good impression stayed with me over the years, and when it became possible for me to provide financial support to people less fortunate than me, I thought of your organization.
I asked many of my friends about The Salvation Army, and they all responded in a very positive way. So I began to contribute, and have been extremely pleased with my decision. I will continue to do so as long as I am able. May God bless you and your colleagues.
Sincerely,
Charles
