The Salvation Army in Southern Indiana is preparing for its annual Back To School Clothing Giveaway.

This year, there will be two options available depending on your county of residence.

If you live in Harrison or Crawford counties, the Clothing Giveaway will take place at The Salvation Army’s Thrift Store and Social Services office in Corydon Indiana – 101 Highway 62 West in Corydon.  The date will be Saturday, July 31, 2010 and the hours are from 8 AM – 5 PM.  Any child or adult residing in Crawford or Harrison County who is enrolled in school this fall is eligible.   Participants only need to bring verification of school enrollment or birth certificate and proof of address.   For more information call us at 812-738-8118.

If you live in Clark, Floyd, Washington or Scott Counties the Clothing Giveaway will take place on Wednesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 5 from 10 AM – 7 PM.  And adult or child residing in these four counties who is enrolled in school for this fall is eligible.  Participants only need to bring verification of school enrollment or birth certificate and proof of address.

For more information call us at 812-280-0417.

Majors Richard Amick and Stephen Kiger recieve award recognition from Lt. Governor Becky Skillman at the Indiana Statehouse on July 1, 2010.

The Salvation Army’s New Albany Corps was recognized today at the Indiana Statehouse as the recipient of a grant from the Office of Energy Development’s (OED) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).  The monies from this grant will enable them to make much needed repairs on the facilities in Clark County and put the Army at the forefront for being environmentally responsible.

Preparations for obtaining the grant have been many months in the making, but those efforts finally paid off.  The grant will go towards a project with the purpose of substantially reducing energy consumption, lower maintenance and capital costs. Also, in an effort to lower the environmental impact of the Army’s facility in Clarksville, the project will include upgrading the heating system, lighting, roofing and skylights. All of the mentioned repairs are being done with the overall intent of increasing the energy efficiency of the buildings.

The benefits from this award go further than just the actual repairs.  As of March 2010, Clark County’s unemployment rate was 9.3%, which is the highest rate of unemployment recorded in March for the last 10 years.  Several new jobs within Clarksville’s job market are anticipated to be added during the scope of this project. In such a depressed job market, any job added to the economy is of major benefit to the entire community. A $100,000 matching grant from the Ogle Foundation will also be added to complete the project.

As one of 58 organizations and non-profits participating in the ceremony, the Army’s award was acknowledged by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman in the North Atrium of the Statehouse, in downtown Indianapolis. Grantees were mostly from central Indiana and all were implementing similar projects as to The Salvation Army’s.  However, the Army’s $100,000 grant award was one of a few at that notable amount, making it a testimony of the confidence that is placed in The Salvation Army’s motto: Doing the Most Good!

For more information visit the OED website at http://www.in.gov/oed/2585.htm

Salvation Army workers construct a temporary shelter for those still displaced by the January earthquake.

The Salvation Army will complete the construction of 600 housing shelters through the Transitional Shelter Program in Jacmel, Haiti this week, to assist in relocating earthquake-displaced Haitians back to their home communities. Over the past six months The Salvation Army has transitioned from providing for immediate needs, including temporary shelter, food, water and medical attention to providing long-term recovery services to help return survivors to a level of normalcy in their lives. The long-term rebuilding process has employed more than 400 Haitians as carpenters and construction crew-members to assist in reconstruction efforts.

“The level of care and steps taken to rebuild Haiti has been astonishing, with this transitional housing project highlighting the significant strides everyone has made over the past six months,” said Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Service Office. “Housing shelters have been built in some of the most heavily impacted areas in Haiti, including Jacmel, Bainet, Lilette and Bellami. The Salvation Army has had a major presence in Haiti since the 1950s and we’ll continue to provide earthquake relief services for as long as the need is there.”

Haitian officials and residents worked closely with The Salvation Army to plan and manage the transitional housing shelters project which allowed for a quick design and building process. Through both volunteerism and temporary employment by The Salvation Army, residents of Haiti have been directly involved in the reconstruction of their communities. The Salvation Army provided technical specialists as needed for the project and Haitian teams were trained by The Salvation Army’s transitional housing team. Others were hired to clear land for the construction of the homes. In all, more than 400 Haitians, comprising at least 45 construction teams, were trained to supervise and build 600 homes.

“For the safety and well-being of the thousands of Haitians who have been displaced, it was critical that we constructed these homes as quickly and strongly as possible with the hurricane season here,” said Lt. Colonel Starrett. “The ultimate goal of our emergency service in Haiti is to provide the resources for the community to return to self sufficiency at a level that exceeds conditions before the earthquake. These homes are the first steps of many in that direction.”

Following the construction of the 600 shelters in Jacmel, which began on June 5, The Salvation Army will work with government officials in Haiti to plan the second phase of development for an additional 500 homes in Jacmel and another 1,000-1,500 homes in Petit-Goâve, which felt a strong 5.9 magnitude aftershock on January 20. The quake’s epicenter was almost directly under Petit-Goâve, severely damaging the city. Each home will take one day to complete, with each costing approximately $1,800. Like in Jacmel, the homes will be built on existing home sites. Individuals and families who have lost their homes due to the earthquake must own the property on which their new home will be built in order to obtain a shelter. Families are helped first, followed by single women with children and other vulnerable populations.

Locally, The Indiana Salvation Army sent down some of the first response teams following the January earthquake (http://salvationarmyindiana.org/2010/local-response-team-heads-to-haiti/).  The support of Hoosiers for The Salvation Army’s relief efforts was overwhelming.  “We are proud of Central Indiana’s response to the crisis in Haiti.  Hoosiers donated nearly $400,000 to Haitian disaster relief and today’s news shows that their investment has produced tangible results. The effort continues both in Haiti and in Indianapolis to rebuild communities and restore lives. We want to express our thanks to all Hoosiers who have contributed and continue to support our mission,” said Jeff Stanger, Development Director for the Indiana Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.”  Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $20.5 million has been donated to The Salvation Army to assist in the development of the housing units, provide 5.4 million meals, as well as other immediate and long-term recovery services in Haiti. Through the shelter campaign, The Salvation Army will continue will provide over 4400 shelters in the next 6-12 months in Jacmel, Petit-Goâve and Port -au-Prince.

Prior to the earthquake, The Salvation Army in Haiti operated schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.  One Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people.

Since January 12, The Salvation Army, along with the United Nations, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations has cared for the 20,000 individuals who have been displaced from their homes, living at a soccer field adjacent to a Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince. To establish a safe environment, a Camp Security force has been formed made up of 45 Haitian members from the camp itself. The team has been trained in security techniques by The Salvation Army and the United Nations. Medical care and nutritional services are also being provided to meet the needs of all individuals at the camp; including water purification units that supply 20,000 – 30,000 gallons of purified water or 4.2 million gallons of water daily.

Down by the Blue River, among the lively old oaks and rolling hills of southern Indiana was born a man whose influence would someday travel the world. Samuel Logan Brengle, born  June 1, 1860 in Fredericksburg went on to become the first Salvation Army Commissioner born in the United States. The Indiana Division gathered in Fredericksburg on Sunday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Brengle’s birth, with songs and stories.

New Albany representatives at the Fredericksburg dedication are from left to right – Jimmy McCormick, Roxanne and Dick Haley, Rita and Steve McCormick, and Majors Pam and Stephen Kiger.

After graduating from DePauw University in Indiana, Brengle spent much of his young adulthood making his way around the country evangelizing. “Many of our generation have stories to tell of relatives having shown hospitality to those such as Brengle. They get around, these itinerant traveling preachers.” said Commissioner Kenneth Baillie, who came to participate in the celebration. And the stories were lively on this day, as several locals wandered into the freshly cut field to share their memories of Brengle’s legacy in Fredericksburg. Local Ben Weathers described his experience at the 100th year remembrance of Brengle’s birth. He was only 16 at the time but remembers The Salvation Army personnel camping overnight by the river to carry out a more lengthy celebration. Weathers mingled for the afternoon, on this day 50 years later, and Commissioner Baillie presented him with a book by Brengle.

Fredericksburg United Methodist Episcopal Church, Brengle’s first church home, welcomed the Indiana Divisional Band and other guests, including Commissioners Kenneth and Joy Baillie and Majors Richard and Vicki Amick. Following the sermon, delivered by Commissioner Baillie, the festivities continued at the location of Samuel Brengle’s birth site just down the road from the church. Nearby was also a cemetery where several of Brengle’s relatives were laid to rest; small red flags marking the stones for visitors to recognize.

With the cooperation of mild temperatures and no rain, Roxanne Haley brought the EDS canteen from the New Albany Corps to serve lunch to the locals and guests. The afternoon was concluded by a short dedication and congratulatory words shared from various state and national leaders who could not attend.

The monuments and street signs at Jefferson and Fredericksburg/Depauw Rd.  will remain to mark the birth site of Samuel Brengle for all who wish to visit and pay tribute to the man who said with passion for his savior and people, “All that God asks is that the heart should be cleansed from sin, and full of love, whether it be the tender heart of the little child, with feeble powers of loving, or of the full-grown man, or of the flaming archangel before the throne. This is holiness and this only. It is nothing less than this, and it can be nothing more.”

Alexandria, VA:– Over the weekend of April 24th, The Salvation Army World Service Organization (SAWSO) and Numana, Inc. reached a milestone in their partnership. Ten million meals have been packed to help the people of Haiti receive life sustaining nourishment.

Meals are being packaged by volunteers at mass events throughout United States. The events of April 24-25 in San Francisco saw 1.019 million meals packaged in one day. The packing in Champaign-Urbana saw another 1.012 million meals prepared, while the packing in New London, CT, saw 269,016 meals packaged, ready to be shipped.

Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett, Executive Director for SAWSO, said, “We are amazed at the amount of volunteers that have come along side Numana, Inc. and The Salvation Army in this partnership. There are many who have volunteered to help the people of Haiti who never would have thought to volunteer before.”

Since the January 12, 2010, earthquake that devastated the country of Haiti, more than 72,000 volunteers have come together as caring communities to feed those devastated

Numana, Inc. meals have four components: Rice, soy, freeze-dried vegetables with chicken flavoring, and 21 vitamins targeted to help the immune system. Rice and beans are also being shipped, as they are a staple food to Haitians.

Numana, Inc. packing events for SAWSO have been planned through May. To check on a Numana, Inc. packing event, please look to www.numanainc.com.