The Salvation Army is seeking monetary donations so it can continue to help tornado victims.
06/08/11 Springfield- Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray - The Salvation Army Disaster van drives up Wendover Road past the damage at Cathedral High School.SPRINGFIELD - Salvation Army emergency canteen trucks were out working the tornado-devastated neighborhoods of Western Massachusetts within two hours of the disaster.
The five big-box ambulance-style trucks, drawn in from various corners of the state, served all the Western Massachusetts communities hardest hit by the three tornadoes, said Maj. Thomas D. Perks, commander of the Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel at 170 Pearl St.
“We had folks representing the whole width of the disaster,” Perks said.
Perks said one of his most moving experiences came the day after the tornadoes struck as he and other Salvation Army personnel delivered food door-to-door in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood.
After climbing through a tangle of fallen trees on Acrebrook Road, they came across two men hard at work clearing the devastation. Perks said one of the men began to cry as they approached to offer sustenance.
The man told Perks that he had been out working for 24 hours without anything to eat or drink.“Right then and there I knew this is exactly what we needed to be doing and where we needed to be,” Perks said.
06/14/11Springfield- Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray -Captain Scott McNeil, from the North Shore Region Salvation Army in Salem, packs water bottles. The water and other items have been donated for the tornado victims and are being handed out at the Pearl Street headquarters.Within the first nine days, Salvation Army volunteers served over 12,000 meals and touched some 25,000 lives with donations of food, clothes, bottled water, work gloves and other needed items.
Their work was part of a coordinated effort with city officials and other agencies, including the American Red Cross.
Perks said the canteen work is winding down now that streets are mostly open and power is restored. There is currently one canteen truck working through the city’s devastated areas and it will continue running through Wednesday night.
The Salvation Army continues, however, to aid those remaining in the shelter at MassMutual and provide supplies to those still in need who arrive at the citadel.
Since last Tuesday, nearly 800 people have stopped by the citadel to register for such supplies as water, fruit juice, baby formula, sanitary supplies and other needed items. Clothing vouchers, which can be redeemed at the Salvation Army store on Boston Road, are also available.
Along with Springfield and West Springfield, victims from Brimfield and Monson have been coming in to obtain needed items, Perk said.
Perks said that within the first 12 hours of the tornadoes he saw numerous victims rise above the shock of losing their homes and neighborhoods to band together to help one another. “That banding together in the neighborhoods, I think, was a tremendous force,” he said.
The Salvation Army remains in need of monetary donations as it continues to aid victims. Checks, earmarked for disaster relief, may be sent to the Salvation Army, PO Box 871 Springfield, Mass. 01101.
Those seeking information about how to help the Salvation Army’s ongoing assistance, or those who continue to seek help, may call (413) 733-1518.