Plea for continued aid for Katrina victims

To the Editor The Salvation Army has again been a first responder in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As of this writing, hundreds of volunteers, employees and officers are today providing much needed services to local Gulf Coast victims in the form of housing, hot food, personal health items and communications. More than 70 mobile canteens are now operating in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson and Mobile areas. Additional units will be deployed to affected areas along the Gulf Coast when authorities determine those areas to be safe. The Salvation Army is prepared to serve up to a half million hot meals each day from these mobile canteens. The Army Centers in New OrleansA and Mobile provided immediate safe shelter and food for more than 500 storm refugees. The Salvation Army's Emergency Radio Network SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Network) is providing communication facilities for those seeking the health and welfare of loved ones affected by Katrina. Individuals seeking information about loved ones in the disaster area may inquire on line at http://qso.com/satern/emanfrm.htm Volunteers wishing to help those affected by Katrina can do so at salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations are encouraged. Checks or money orders should be made payable to The Salvation Army - Katrina Relief, and can be forwarded to Salvation Army, Franklin/Sussex Service Unit. PO Box 183, Franklin, NJ 07416. A donation of $100 will feed a family of four for two days, as well as provide 2 cases of drinking water and household cleaning kits containing brooms, mops buckets and cleaning supplies. One hundred percent of monies designated to Katrina Hurricane Relief will be used for disaster aid. Please continue your prayers for victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as for the rescue and response teams as they continue to support the disaster relief effort. Charles W. Postas Salvation Army Volunteer