PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Gears Up to Serve Over 1,500
Volunteers and Residents on Saturday
HUGO, Minn. – May 30, 2008 – With 1,000 crucial cleanup volunteers expected to arrive in Hugo Saturday, Salvation Army officials are busy preparing for hot meals and emotional counseling.
“Our charge is to feed and hydrate the volunteers and residents as we have been since arriving on Sunday,” said Drew Hasty, Salvation Army Twin Cities disaster director. “The catch is we will be doing it at a rate five times greater. That takes coordination and preparation. And as you can expect in Minnesota, there are groups waiting in line to help.”
Groups like; Simek’s, bringing in 800 meatball sandwiches and 15 volunteers to help serve, and the Lions clubs from Forest Lake and Centerville with their cooking trailers, a pallet of 2,000 bottles of juice from Cub Foods, and hot coffee from Caribou. In addition, Target Corps employees put together 2,000 snack bags and provided 2,000 volunteer kits, complete with sunscreen, lip balm and hand sanitizer. WalMart and Northern Tool and Equipment donated hundreds of dollars worth of rakes, gloves and shovels which will be handed out to volunteers on Saturday.
As part of the cleanup day, The Salvation Army will be providing pastors and volunteers trained in emotional and spiritual care.
“There will be a lot of focus on this clean up effort,” said Hasty. “And that is important, but even more important is helping these residents recover – both emotionally and financially. That is our critical contribution and that will take weeks and months to accomplish.”
In order to be able to serve The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $100,000. Over $26,000 has been raise to date, including $10,000 from 3M and $10,000 from Target Corp.
Donations for disaster relief go directly to the area as designated by donors. To make a financial contribution, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, click HERE to give online or send a check to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113.
