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Released 3 February 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY- Hundreds of electricians are working to restore power back to
over 157,000 individuals and businesses still without electricity in
Arkansas. Approximately 90 Cities and Counties are under boil orders in
Arkansas due to many treatment plants still without power. In Oklahoma, it is
estimated less than 3,000 homes and businesses remain without power.
The Salvation Army is meeting the need of storm victims in many communities
throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma:
• Oklahoma: The Salvation Army provided 22
pallets of water to Adair County. The Stilwell Service Unit, manned by
volunteers, provided food boxes to several families and provided lodging for a
person on dialysis.
• Northwest Arkansas:
Through Sunday, 8,567 meals, 19.255 drinks, and 10,046 snacks have been
served. Over 800 have been provided lodging and showers. Additionally,
blankets, comfort kits and infant supplies have been provided to those affected
by the storm. Approximately 1,000 meals, two times a day, are expected to be
served until further notice. The Northwest Arkansas Area Command is serving
Benton, Madison, and Washington counties in Arkansas. Over 6,000 hours have
been put in by officers, employees, and volunteers and close to 700 individuals
have been provided emotional and spiritual care.
•
Mountain Home, AR: The Salvation Army of Mountain Home,
Arkansas is busy serving Baxter and Marion counties. Officers, employees and
volunteers have served 7,500 meals, over 9,000 drinks and close to 4,000
snacks. Hundreds of comfort kits, infant supplies, cases of water, and
blankets have been provided to those affected by the ice storm that devastated
several small towns and rural areas due to accumulations of over one and
one-half inches of ice on trees, roadways, and power lines. One hundred
eighty (180) families and individual have been provided lodging. Emergency
services are expected to continue for some time. Hundreds of hours have been
put in by volunteers, employees, and officers to ensure the needs of
individuals and families are being met. Since January 30, officers, employees
and volunteers have provided 2,210 hours to help those in need.
• Jonesboro, AR: The Salvation Army of
Jonesboro, Arkansas is serving multiple small communities in Clay, Craighead,
Greene, and Poinsett counties. Nine shelters are providing a warm place to
sleep as well as other basic necessities. They are serving approximately
350-400 meals a day.
• Service Units in
Pocahontas, Harrison, and Mountain View Arkansas have provided food boxes,
blankets and helped provide lodging to many who remain without power and have
no other resources. In Stilwell, Oklahoma, food boxes have been provided to
several families and lodging has been provided to a person on dialysis. In
Harrison, AR, they have distributed over 4,000 lbs. of food to 107 families
(176 adults and 75 children.) In Mountain View, Arkansas, the service unit is
working with the First United Methodist Church to provide meals and shelter.
The Salvation Army will continue to work with its partners (other relief
agencies, emergency management at state and local levels, and other government
entities) to ensure the needs of the thousands impacted by the storm are
met.
Financial donations are needed to support relief efforts. The Salvation
Army asks those who want to help the individual and families affected by the
Ice Storm of January 2009 to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and
designate Arkansas and Oklahoma Ice Storms. Monetary donations will ensure The
Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by the
storm.
# # #
About the Salvation Army:
The Salvation
Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been
supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly
30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year
through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food
for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled,
outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and
opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar
raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities
nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Submitted by
Cindy Fuller
The Salvation Army, Arkansas/Oklahoma
Divisional
Marketing and Public Relations Director
Office:
(405)254-1156 Cell: (405)830-6549 Fax: (405)254-1000
E-mail: Cindy_Fuller@uss.salvationarmy.org