For more information please contact: Linda Krombeen at (616) 459-3433

The Salvation Army continues to offer 24-hour aid, relief and counseling to those suffering after the horrific terrorist attacks on Tuesday that devastated the nation. The Salvation Army is serving and ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families, individuals and emergency personnel across the U.S. The full spectrum of Salvation Army Disaster Services are currently and indefinitely operating in New York, the Washington, D.C. area, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. In addition, Salvation Army disaster relief teams across the country are providing lodging, meals and spiritual counseling to stranded travelers.

The headquarters for The Salvation Army in the greater New York area has been turned into a command center and staff members are at the facility for 24-hour, on-call service. They are operating 15 emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) and a New York City vendor has provided an additional large mobile kitchen and 25,000 frozen meals to assist with the effort. Two additional canteens and a mobile kitchen are stationed inside the response area, three blocks from the site of the devastation of the World Trade Center. The Salvation Army is working closely with the emergency disaster personnel on the scene and ministering to their needs. As of yesterday evening, The Salvation Army had served well over 100,00 meals to emergency responders sifting through the piles of rubble for survivors. Salvation Army counselors and disaster relief personnel are also aiding at the Command Center and Police Headquarters. At the City Medical Examiner’s Office, a special grief counseling team has been offering comfort and solace to those attempting to identify the victims, which are expected to be in the thousands.

The Salvation Army’s Railton Hall located on 14^th Street is housing out-of-town rescue workers and the New York Temple Corps (center for worship and service) is housing displaced persons. -more-

So far this Salvation Army relief effort in New York City has involved more than 600 volunteers and 140 personnel. Yesterday Commissioner Joe Noland, in charge of The Salvation Army’s work on the East Coast, visited the scene of the relief effort to encourage Salvation Army workers.

The Salvation Army in the Washington, D.C. area is continuing round-the-clock service to emergency disaster workers at the Pentagon and anticipate this relief effort will extend for at least 10 days. A team of crisis counselors are ministering to victims’ families at the site of the destruction and at the hotel housing families. Canteens with Salvation Army emergency disaster relief teams are serving military personnel holding guard at sensitive government buildings including The White House. Close to 150 trained Salvation Army disaster relief personnel are working continuously in Washington D.C., to aid in the effort.

In Pennsylvania, The Salvation Army continues to provide meals and relief to those at the site of the plane crash. They are counseling families and emergency service personnel and feeding and finding lodging for stranded travelers.

"The Salvation Army’s response to this grim crisis and to the anguish and pain of Americans is made possible by a powerful national network. The Salvation Army has a center of operation in nearly every city in this country and each is fully mobilized and on alert to help all affected by this act of terror—both physically and emotionally—now and in the days to come," said Commissioner John Busby, national commander of The Salvation Army in the United States.

The Salvation Army currently has sufficient trained officers (pastors) and disaster service personnel on hand to assist with the relief efforts in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Besides the logistical concerns associated with transporting volunteers into the disaster zones, The Salvation Army is aware that there may also be security concerns associated with taking in civilian volunteers into the disaster zone. As a result, there is presently no need for volunteers to assist with the disaster relief effort.

For information on how you can help, for counseling, support or to join a national prayer effort, please call 1-800 SAL-ARMY.

THE SALVATION ARMY CONTINUES AID AT THE PENTAGON

Throughout the United States Salvation Army disaster services teams have been mobilized and are working round-the-clock to help people affected by the horrific events that occurred on Tuesday. Trained reinforcement personnel from The Salvation Army have been deployed to assist those already on the scene at the Pentagon.

The Salvation Army now has five emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) serving at the Pentagon. One of the vehicles is located inside the courtyard of the Pentagon, and Salvation Army personnel are ministering to those nearest to this tragedy. The self-contained feeding units are serving as many as 450 meals an hour. More than 6,000 meals already have been served. The Salvation Army continues to offer counseling to emergency response personnel, victims’ families and others in need of emotional support during this time of crisis.

"In the midst of enormous destruction, assistance is being offered by the extension of a cup of coffee or a shoulder to cry on for a family member dealing with the loss of a loved one. The mood is somber, but the work is diligent. As long as the recovery efforts continue, The Salvation Army will remain in the service at the Pentagon," said Lt. Colonel William Crabson, in charge of The Salvation Army’s work in Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C., area

To most effectively meet the needs of those suffering from this tragedy, The Salvation Army is asking only for monetary donations at this time. Monetary contributions to support The Salvation Army’s efforts at the Pentagon may be sent to: The Salvation Army, National Capital and Virginia Division, P. O. Box 18658, Washington, D.C. 20036. If you are interested in making a credit card donation, you may call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

For information on how you can help, for counseling, support or to join a national prayer effort, please call 1-800 SAL-ARMY.

NEW YORK, N.Y., September 13, 2001—Americans have been so generous with offering supplies and materials for the relief efforts in New York that The Salvation Army has literally run out of space to store any more donations. What is needed now are monetary donations to help pay for the 100,000 meals The Salvation Army is serving emergency personnel each day of this massive rescue and recovery effort.

"We have been overwhelmed by the generosity we have seen, and want to say thank you to all who have helped with our relief efforts since the terrorist attacks," said Major Gary Miller, coordinator of communications for The Salvation Army on the East Coast.

A local Home Depot store donated $13,000 worth of picks and shovels, just as emergency workers had run out of tools and were wondering where more could be found. Huge donations of clothing have also been made, including a thousand sets of shirts, jeans, and socks from Filenes Department Store for emergency workers who have worked tirelessly night and day to try and find survivors.

"Our biggest challenge now is to keep feeding the physical and spiritual needs of these courageous men and women. The best way America can help us do that is through monetary donations to The Salvation Army," said Major Miller. "While The Salvation Army normally welcomes any and all gifts in-kind, we no longer need any such donated materials for this crisis."

With the help of 600 volunteers and nearly 150 staff, The Salvation Army has set up eight canteens (mobile feeding units) at the World Trade Center disaster site and five others at triage centers in New Jersey. More than 100,000 meals are being served each day.

Temporary shelter is also being offered to weary workers, along with emotional and spiritual counseling for those who are struggling to cope emotionally with the chaos and carnage.

For information on how you can help, for counseling, support or to join a national prayer effort, please call 1-800 SAL-ARMY.

Recognizing he was not a firefighter, police officer, soldier, mayor or emergency relief worker, Thomas Kinkade had a burning desire to express his grief while using his talents in a way that would encourage and strengthen others. His latest and perhaps most memorable painting was unveiled last Saturday in a live satellite broadcast to over 190 Thomas Kinkade galleries across the country where collectors gathered to be the first to see the release of this magnificent and unforgettable work—"The Light of Freedom."

The painting is being issued as a limited charity edition. Ten thousand prints will be available through his publishing and printing house ‘Media Arts’ for $100 each, with all proceeds donated to The Salvation Army. The goal is to raise one million dollars for The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster relief efforts in New York and at the Pentagon.

The day after the tragedy, Thomas Kinkade awoke at 6:00 a.m., totally inspired. At 6:05 a.m. he was in his studio producing what is now his fastest completed work from blank canvass to finished product. Working round-the-clock, Thomas has portrayed his heartache and his hope for light and healing from this tragedy.

As the cover was removed from the painting, Thomas stated, "This painting is symbolic of our nation and inspired by God. The dramatic sky provides the backdrop to the center portrayal of the American flag representing unity, the cumulus clouds depict God’s blessing, the eagle perched atop the flag pole reflects both military and spiritual strength and the New York skyline with the Statue of Liberty represents a creative center of prosperity of this great nation and its people."

He continued, "This painting was inspired by God—The Salvation Army was raised by God—and in times like this The Salvation Army is used in such an incredible way that we have chosen them as the charity of choice to benefit from the proceeds of the sale of this work."

Christian recording artist Michelle Tumes added to the meaning of the unveiling event by singing patriotic songs.

To obtain a 12" X 16" unframed paper print, send your check for $100 (or more) payable to The Salvation Army; c/o Lightpost Publishing; P.O. Box 2530; Morgan Hill, CA 95038.

For more information on how you can help with The Salvation Army’s disaster relief effort, for support, to join a national prayer effort or make a monetary donation, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or your local Salvation Army.

They've sometimes heard their stadiums referred to as battlefields. And to football fans, they are Sunday's heroes.

But when the New York Jets football team partnered with The Salvation Army's "Operation Compassion Under Fire" on Tuesday, the players put their profession in a different perspective while observing rescue workers near the scene of the World Trade Center disaster.

"My hat's off to everyone working on ground zero," said safety Nick Ferguson. "I have a lot of respect for them. What I do for a living really doesn't match up to what they do. They're the real heroes. I mean, there's some tough situations in the game, but it doesn't add up to this."

The entire Jets football team, coaching staff, owner Woody Johnson, President Jay Cross and other staff members donned Salvation Army "emergency and disaster" T-shirts to assist with relief efforts.

Although heightened security made it impossible for them to serve on Salvation Army canteens in the hot zone, the Jets provided a boost for other volunteers and staff by helping to load supplies at Greater New York Divisional Headquarters, toting cases of water at the Jacob Javits Center and talking to families at the Family Service Center at Pier 94 at 57^th St.

"The team wanted to do something to help, even if it meant it was just encouraging people," said Jets Vice President of Operations Mike Kensil. "The guys just wanted to come down whether it was to load food or just pat people on the back. They just wanted to do something."

As hope for the recuse of missing friends and relatives was fading, the players and coaches were able to bring some much needed comfort and relief to families at Pier 94.

"These are our fans," said tight end Daniel Wilcox. "These are the people who come to see us play. So this is our way of giving something back. My heart goes out to every family member who's here."

Quarterback Chad Pennington felt it was important that the public view football players in a different light, other than the helmeted gladiators who entertain them on Sundays.

"I think it's important for us as football players to demonstrate our human side," he said, "and come out of our football uniforms and show that we're just like anyone else, and that we have the same feelings as anyone else...

"It's also great to be working with The Salvation Army. I always felt that it was a great organization that's made up of people of love and honor, who sacrifice for the good of humanity, no matter the circumstances."

While the Jets provided support and encouragement, The Salvation Army was planning a new phase in its operations. Because of an assortment of security issues, the area around the World Trade Center has become more intensely restricted, forcing the six canteens (mobile feeding units) operating in that area to find new locations. The Salvation Army has served well over 532,000 meals and continues to be a place of respite and support for those involved in the relief effort.

Despite the restrictions, The Salvation Army was able to continue operating effectively, sending 800 respirators into the hot zone, feeding at other key locations throughout the city and counseling those in need. Salvation Army personnel in New York have counseled and prayed with over 6,000 people affected by this horrific tragedy. They remain an invaluable part of the road to recovery.

On an individual level, Lt. Colonel Judy LaMarr and some volunteers were able to assist a handicapped woman who had been confined to her apartment in the hot zone since the terrorist attack a week ago. Colonel LaMarr brought the women groceries and toiletries, helped her fill a prescription and even brought a Metro Card so the woman could travel to a doctor's appointment the next day.

Thus far, The Salvation Army has provided hundreds of thousands of meals to emergency workers. Thousands of volunteers from across the country have assisted in "Operation Compassion Under Fire," including a team of 40 volunteers from a church in Canada.

For information on how you can help with The Salvation Army’s disaster relief effort, for support, to join a national prayer effort or make a monetary donation, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or your local Salvation Army.