Serving in 126 Countries Around the World- And Providing Disaster Relief in Illinois and Iowa
Peoria, Illinois. – The Salvation Army is celebrating the 149th anniversary of its founding today much as it began-by serving those in need. Heavy rains and tornadoes that affected Iowa and north central Illinois have brought out Salvation Army Emergency Disaster teams. Captain Quentin Boyle and EDS volunteers from Ottawa responded to a tornado in Earlville that caused damage, and are working with local Red Cross folks to assist those in need. “We provided about 40 area residents with food, water and clean-up kits,” said Miek Levine, Emergency Services Director for The Salvation Army.
Additional EDS response teams are also ready along the Illinois/Iowa border, where flooding is expected along the Mississippi River as well. “We are pre-staging folks now, and expect we will be assisting as sandbagging efforts get underway,” said Levine.
Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is busy across the Heartland Division to serve those in need every day across 72 counties in Illinois and Iowa.
Find out more about the 149th anniversary at www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/foundersday2014.