Los Angeles Volunteers Help Haiti in Big Way

Saturday (March 12) marked the 2 month anniversary of Haiti’s destructive earthquake, and compassionate hearts continue to overwhelmingly volunteer their time and effort to help survivors.

More than 1,500 volunteers in the Los Angeles area turned out last Saturday and Sunday to package 1 million meals for Haiti, the latest of these community events coordinated by The Salvation Army and Numana, Inc. Meals contain rice, soy protein, seasoning and vitamin powder in specially-prepared plastic bags, ensuring Haitians receive the sustenance and nutrition they need as their country rebuilds.

The Salvation Army Western Territory has more information about the event and some great photos, so be sure to check out their blog! And THANK YOU to all the volunteers who worked so hard to package 1 million meals for Haiti. We couldn’t do it without you!

Photo Credit: John Docter, Salvation Army Western Territory

Wichita – We Need Your Help!

You may have read about or heard of the many Million Meals packing events The Salvation Army has been hosting in partnership with Numana, Inc. Thousands of volunteers from Indiana, California, Kansas, Missouri, and other states have already turned out to these community events to help us package several million meals for earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Get excited because we have another opportunity coming up this weekend! Our next Million Meals event will be held in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21. We appreciate all the support we’ve received thus far and we need your continued efforts to reach our goal of providing this food for Haiti! Below is what you need to know about how to get involved. More detailed information can be found at The Salvation Army Wichita website at www.millionmeals.net.

Salvation Army Offers Proposal for Shelters in Haiti

The Salvation Army currently serves as the UN-designated “lead agency” for some 20,000 individuals who are living in tents within a soccer stadium near the Army’s Port-au-Prince headquarters. As Haiti’s rainy season approaches, The Salvation Army is making it a priority to transition refugees from the camp into temporary shelters, and we have submitted a proposal to USAID for funding to provide 10,000 transitional shelters for these people.

Mr. Lyle Laverty, volunteer and former Assistant Secretary of Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, recently arrived back in the United States after serving a three-week deployment to Haiti on behalf of The Salvation Army. He and a technical working group have already created frame specifications and a proposal for what the shelter should look like and the construction materials needed. A model was built in only one day and used to demonstrate to USAID the construction process.

The Salvation Army proposal would use salvaged timber killed by mountain pine beetles in Colorado. This would create jobs in Colorado while providing a green and environmentally conscious solution for the use of the wood. The Salvation Army would train crews and hire local workers in Haiti to construct the shelters which would not only provide jobs, but also provide technical skills for Haitians to use in future construction projects. These transitional housing units will provide a safer and more structurally sound environment than has been available to many Haitians.

Additionally, a wonderful relationship is established with Senator Joseph Lambert in Haiti. Senator Lambert, President of the Parliament, arranged a meeting with the Minister of Interior to discuss The Salvation Army’s response to the disaster and strategy to assist the people of Haiti with transitional shelter.

The Salvation Army awaits word from USAID on whether its proposal will be accepted. As soon as an answer is provided, TSA will act promptly so as to ease the human suffering caused by the earthquake of January 12.

Don’t Forget – Meal Packing Event March 12, 13

The Salvation Army’s next meal packing event for Haiti disaster relief will take place in the Los Angeles, CA area on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, 2010. If you live in or near this area, come show your support for those in need by rolling up your sleeves and helping! Our goal is 1 million meals, so bring your friends!

Again, here are the details:

WHAT: Million Meals for Haiti Packaging Event with The Salvation Army and Numana

WHO: You and Anyone Else You Can Recruit (ages 12 yrs.or older, please!)

WHEN: Teams are being recruited for the following shifts:
Friday, March 12
8:00AM to 12:00PM
12:00PM to 4:00PM
4:00PM to 8:00PM

Saturday, March 13
8:00AM to 12:00PM
12:00PM to 4:00PM
4:00PM to 8:00PM

WHERE: The Salvation Army’s warehouse at 5600 Rickenbacker Road, Building 1C and 1D, Bell, California. Click here for a map to the Bell warehouse.

And don’t forget to register online!

For more information, visit The Salvation Army’s Southern California website. You can also find helpful details on their blog and Facebook page.

Two Armies – One Mission

The following was submitted by The Salvation Army’s Stacy Howard, who is serving as the Public Information Officer for Haiti Incident Command in Port-au-Prince:

“Both armies wear a uniform; both are respected as two of the most organized groups in the world; both have a common mission in Haiti.

The Salvation Army’s goal is to help survivors of the massive quake with a hand up – to provide support through basic need, medical and spiritual assistance. The U.S. Army’s Haiti Relief Mission: Provide humanitarian support to the country’s surviving population, most of which have been injured or affected by the earthquake in some way. Together the two armies have formed a unique and powerful partnership since the quake. Together they assist, aid, protect and serve.

“The Salvation Army was receptive and there was mutual respect,” said Lt. Cody Tinsley, 1 Platoon, A Company, 2 Battalion, 325 Air Infantry Regiment regarding the first of what became many joint missions of food distribution. As the platoon leader, Tinsley led operations that included safely escorting The Salvation Army staff and distribution items via military convoy and security for the nearly 8,000 displaced families. While the U.S. military took charge of security measures, The Salvation Army ran the distribution. At the twice-a-week event, nearly 16,000 people received boxed meals provided by Numana, buckets and bottles of cooking oil.

(L to R) The Salvation Army Haiti Command Distribution Coordinator Jonathan Fitzgerald, 1 Platoon, A Company, 2 Battalion, 325 Air infantry Regiment Lt. Cody Tinsley and The Salvation Army Haiti Comman d Public Information Officer Stacy Howard prepare to distribute food to nearly 8,000 families.
(L to R) The Salvation Army Haiti Command Distribution Coordinator Jonathan Fitzgerald, 1 Platoon, A Company, 2 Battalion, 325 Air infantry Regiment Lt. Cody Tinsley and The Salvation Army Haiti Command Public Information Officer Stacy Howard prepare to distribute food to nearly 8,000 families.

As expected immediately after the quake, disorder and chaos ensued from thousands who rushed for the items. Tinsley said together, both Armies quickly controlled the situation after assessing the needs and safety issues of all involved.

Once distributions became a regular mission of the Armies, the ebb and flow made it simple for families to be served. At post-mission debriefings the two Armies discussed ways to improve distribution, shared ideas and came up with a plan that worked for everyone, Tinsley said. Because of mutual respect and trust, each Army let the other take the lead in the area they knew best.

In the end, the Haitian disaster relief is a humanitarian mission for both Armies. Despite the sometimes intimidating appearance the U.S. military might portray, as Tinsley said, they adapt to the mission. They realize this is not a war zone. They aren’t here to occupy, they’re here to protect and serve – and at times, even entertain.

Several members of the platoon played music and danced to entertain the families in line. The children’s faces lit up. Tinsley said it’s important to remind the survivors we’re all here to help – whether it’s with food, security or a little comedic relief.

The Salvation Army has been in Haiti since 1950, and will remain. The U.S. Army will also stay as long as they’re needed to provide support. Whether in Haiti, or elsewhere in the world, The Salvation Army and U.S. Army have and will continue to partner during disaster relief operations with a joint goal: Restore humanity and hope.

Two armies – one mission.”

To stay updated on The Salvation Army’s work, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or follow us on Facebook and

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