PRESS RELEASE
Flood Update: Donations Needed
for Families with Damaged Homes
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Sept. 30, 2010 – Many families’ lives have been turned upside-down in southern Minnesota, where last week’s floods left a swath of damage in communities large and small.
In Rice County, a husband, wife and their two young daughters no longer have a place to live. Their home is drenched and uninhabitable. They are staying at a local hotel and will need help finding temporary housing until their home can be repaired.
“The mom is in the National Guard stationed in Afghanistan," said Captain John Joyner, Salvation Army Disaster Relief Commander. “She just got home yesterday on emergency leave. Her husband managed to salvage a tub of water-soaked photographs and her wedding gown. A neighbor helped to dry and salvage the photos and remove the stains from the mud-saturated gown – a bright spot in a very difficult situation.”
The Salvation Army is asking for donations to help southern Minnesota flood survivors. In both Steele and Rice counties, The Salvation Army has established a help desk to provide financial assistance to families with flood-damaged homes.
“Our ability to assist will be determined by what we receive in financial donations,” Joyner said. “We have been serving food and offering some limited financial assistance since Sept. 23. Now we begin our long-term recovery efforts. This is where we are able to make the most difference for families, by helping them bridge the gap while they are waiting for insurance funds or possible government aid.”
In addition to financial assistance for families, The Salvation Army continues to feed volunteers and residents during the cleanup.
Volunteers are needed in Owatonna and Faribault for an organized cleanup effort this weekend. For information about volunteering in Steele County, call 507-774-7236. For Rice County, call 507-332-6234.
Of note: High school students in New Richland cancelled their Homecoming parade this Friday and replaced it with performing cleanup duties from 9 a.m.-Noon. Salvation Army disaster volunteers will provide drinks and snacks.
Donations to support The Salvation Army’s flood response can be made by calling 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), online here or by mailing a check to 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Be sure to designate your gift “Southern MN Floods.”
