Greenville, NC (September 1, 2011) - The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Response (EDS) Team from Georgetown SC arrived in Greenville NC just hours after the order to respond to Hurricane Irene was issued. From the moment the response team arrived at The Salvation Army's Hurricane Response Center in Greenville, the Georgetown team took a lead role in the massive response effort inland and on the coast of NC.
On Monday, Dare County Emergency Management requested The Salvation Army respond to the Outer Banks community of Hatteras Island to serve 2,400 stranded residents, visitors and emergency response personnel. Dare County's Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of NC took the brunt of Hurricane Irene's impact, leaving the entire Island stranded without power or ferry service, no way off for islanders and no way on for mainland response teams.
The Salvation Army made service to Hatteras Island its top priority on Monday. The Charleston SC based response team reported to the north end of Hatteras Island through Manteo and the Georgetown team reported to the south end of Hatteras Island via Stumpy Point NC where emergency ferry service was organized. Arriving late Monday night, the Salvation Army's Georgetown team made camp at the Stumpy Point Community Center in anticipation of Tuesday's 6:00 AM ferry service to Hatteras Island, a 3 1⁄2 hour ferry ride. Immediately upon arrival on Hatteras Island, The Salvation Army feeding team established services at the Avon Fire Department where they have been feeding 3 meals a day and are expected to remain until released by Dare County Emergency Management.
Larry Fox, a volunteer with the Georgetown Response Team , shared upon arrival on the Outer Banks, "Through much turmoil and delays, we finally made it to the Outer Banks. We have been trying to get here for two days. We have seven volunteers with us and are preparing at least 150 meals per meal and are serving three meals per day. The Salvation Army is doing the most good." Larry also serves Chair for The Salvation Army volunteer Advisory Board in Georgetown.
The Salvation Army's Georgetown response team includes:
- Captain Jason Hughes, Salvation Army Commanding Officer
- Larry Fox, Advisory Board Chair, The Salvation Army, Volunteer
- Louise Walters, Advisory Board Member, The Salvation Army, Volunteer
- Connie Bennett, Volunteer
- Jim Bennett, Volunteer
- Carol Glover, Volunteer
- Ron Booth, Volunteer
- Monty White, Employee
With his response feeding team serving on Hatteras Island, Captain Jason Hughes has remained at The Salvation Army's Irene Response Center in Greenville NC where he has managed logistics for feeding team resources. In this role, Captain Hughes is planning daily menus for mobile feeding teams, organizing necessary resources, and coordinating daily truck loading and warehousing.
The Salvation Army has 37 mobile feeding kitchen canteens throughout the coastal region that are traveling in service and positioned as stationary feeding sites. Through Wednesday, Salvation Army feeding teams have exceeded 105,000 meals, snacks and drinks served to people in need (some EDS Teams have not reported due to lack of cell service in remote areas). 355 people have been provided with safe shelter. During times of extreme need, people turn to The Salvation Army for emotional and spiritual care. To date, The Salvation Army has prayed with 929 people as part of its mission driven response and service.
Relief efforts will continue throughout the impacted region. Salvation Army officers and staff will continue to focus on immediate needs of providing food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to impacted individuals and families.
The Hurricane Irene co mmand center for the coordination of Operations and Response is located at 2718 South Memorial Drive in Greenville NC (no public services provided at this address).
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.
The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane Irene to visit www.salvationarmycarolinas.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, "Yes." Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate Hurricane 2011 on all checks.
- A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day
- A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and other cleaning supplies
- A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster
- A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours
- A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen (mobile feeding unit) fully operational for one day
At this point, in-kind donations are not being accepted. Used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during an incident. However, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).