Salvation Army

8/31/08 From the website:

Services:

McAllen non-profit organization The McAllen Salvation Army offers aid in the following ways:

Missing Persons
Disaster Relief
Prisoner Rehabilitation
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Fight Human Trafficking
Youth Camps
Kroc Centers
Music
Christmas Charity
Elderly Services
Loneliness (League of Mercy)

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From the website 7/25/08:

Salvation Army Seeking Warehouse Space For Use During Dolly Recovery

The Salvation Army in McAllen, currently running as the Incident Command Post for Dolly disaster recovery, has power once again. Electricity was restored to the facility at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

Along with the restoration of power, comes an increased need for a warehouse facility to use as a storage and distribution center as The Salvation Army continues assisting victims, and first responders of Hurricane Dolly.

If you can be of assistance in helping The Salvation Army acquire warehouse space until recovery efforts conclude, please contact Major Dan Ford, Incident Commander for Dolly Recovery Efforts in McAllen, TX. He can be reached by calling 956-821-0382.

RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE

The Salvation Army of Texas is continuing their dedicated recovery efforts to victims and first responders of Hurricane Dolly, despite a lack of electricity.

The Salvation Army has kept the doors open to its shelter in McAllen, TX, despite losing power around 11:30 p.m. The shelter hosted 188 people on Wednesday night . In Addition to serving those staying in the McAllen Salvation Army shelter, mobile feeding units responded to the public’s cry for help, serving over 2,000 meals to people in shelters across Hidalgo County.

Major Dan Ford, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army recovery efforts said, “We’ve been impressed with the cooperation of those we are helping, their patience and understanding of our limitations and the appreciation they have expressed for our services to the community.”

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7/25/08 Shelter Update:

Sheltering of Displaced Individuals Remains a Priority
Shelters remain open in Hidalgo County, staffed by Texas Military Forces, city, county and school district personnel. These are not Red Cross shelters, as the humanitarian organization refused to open shelters in Hidalgo County due to the levees being decertified by FEMA. Food was provided by the Salvation Army yesterday to four shelters and school lunches and school district kitchen staff and/or ready-made meals provided by the city were utilized at the other shelters. Food will be available at the shelters today. Cots may be made available only to the elderly and individuals with special needs later today.

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The American Red Cross will not open shelters in Hidalgo County, claiming risk from the FEMA decertified levees. For this reason, Hidalgo County officials, in coordination with area cities, school districts, law enforcement, fire departments and the Texas Military Forces, have begun to open shelters.

Families must provide their own transportation to the shelters. Food, water and other basic necessities like toiletries will not be provided. Residents are advised to bring medications, supplies for babies and the elderly and bedding materials. Please see the attached handout for more information on what to bring and what not to bring to a shelter.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008, 4:00 p.m.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHELTERS:

• A shelter will not provide the comforts of a hotel or motel.
• The shelter is not a medical shelter; only basic first aid will be available.
• The shelter does not accept responsibility for storing valuable personal property.
• Parents are required to be in control of their children at all times.
• Persons needing medical assistance of personal attendants cannot be left unattended.
• Shelters may be equipped with generators, but they may or may not be air-conditioned. If electrical power is interrupted, portable generators will not be able to keep air conditioners running.
WHAT TO BRING TO A SHELTER (plan for up to three days):
• Non-perishable food and snacks (it may not be provided at the shelter)
• personal hygiene items
• beddings such as cots, air mattresses, blankets and pillows for their own use (none will be provided)
• water (rule of thumb: 1 gallon per day per person)
• extra change of clothing
• personal items (medications, eyeglasses, hearing aid, flashlights, toothbrushes, battery-operated radio, special diet foods, if appropriate)
• baby supplies: ample amounts of baby food, formula, juice, diapers and wipes, and a stroller, portable crib or play pen
• driver's license, other identification
• cash, traveler's checks
• important documents

WHAT NOT TO BRING TO THE SHELTER:
• Pets
• Firearms or explosive devices
• Intoxicating or alcoholic beverages
• Illegal drugs

BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME:
• Board your windows.
• Have a good meal.
• Turn off electricity at the fuse box (to prevent possible fire).
• Turn off water at the outside line.
• Turn off gas for gas water heaters (to prevent possible fire