(Syracuse, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2013) Salvation Army officers, trained volunteers and staff continue to provide support to the New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy.<\/p>\n
Empire State Division Director of Emergency Services Leslie Vattimo of Jamestown, New York, has returned to The Salvation Army\u2019s Eastern Territory Headquarters in W. Nyack, New York, to serve as logistics chief as the Army continues to provide disaster relief to those impacted by October\u2019s hurricane. She is assigned there until the end of January.<\/p>\n
Retired Salvation Army officers Majors Joe and Ruth Pritchard, also of Jamestown, and volunteers Marie Cole, John Whitcomb and John Chadwick are working at two Salvation Army sites. The Pritchard\u2019s and Marie Cole, are in Hazlet, New Jersey working at a site distributing goods, providing emotional and spiritual care support and referral services to survivors.<\/p>\n
John Chadwick and John Whitcomb are in Toms River, New Jersey distributing goods and emotional and spiritual care support to those affected in the shore areas.\u00a0\u00a0 Since many areas near Toms River are still not accessible by car, they are using ATV’s in order to reach people. The New Jersey Salvation Army is working on finding a new distribution site to anchor army services in Ortley Beach, which is close to Toms River, said Vattimo.<\/p>\n
Cole is from Sidney, New York; \u00a0Whitcomb from Spencer, New York and Chadwick from Batavia, New York.<\/p>\n
The Pritchard\u2019s, Cole, Whitcomb and Chadwick are serving until January 15.<\/p>\n
From January 15 through January 31, Myrtle Whitcomb and Major Patty Kurtz will be in New Jersey.\u00a0 Both will be assigned to either Hazlet or Toms River. \u00a0Whitcomb is from Spencer, New York and Major Kurtz from Batavia, New York.<\/p>\n
Vattimo helped to set up the new site with support from the Army\u2019s Eastern Territory headquarters and the Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARC), which manage The Salvation Army Family Store sites. \u201cWe have a great partnership between ARC and emergency disaster services. Without their help and coordination of staff and trucks, we would not be able to help as many as we do. We are issuing vouchers to survivors for them to obtain clothing, furniture and household goods at the family stores,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the holiday season over, many survivors are facing the enormity of the storm\u2019s damage\u00a0 \u2013 how do I rebuild my home and replace everything, while mourning things that can\u2019t be replaced or a life that\u2019s gone,\u201d said Ms. Vattimo.<\/p>\n
The Salvation Army of New Jersey\u2019s\u00a0 Emergency Assistance Centers,will provide client intake & assessment; linkage to other agencies and referrals; large-scale distribution of in-kind donated items ranging from clothing to household goods; cash card financial assistance and food boxes.<\/p>\n
The Salvation Army is extremely grateful for the continued support of the donating public. By the end of December, the Army has received more than $16 millionto support relief efforts.<\/p>\n
Monetary donations are the most critical need as supplies and personnel move into the areas of greatest need.<\/p>\n