08 July 2014
Last Updated: 13 January 2016

Tornado Response Update- July 16, 2014

As recovery continues for the southern Grand Rapids area that was hit by a tornado on July 6, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services has stayed on the scene providing hydration, food and emotional and spiritual care. As of July 12, 1979 meals, 3756 hydration, and 2319 snacks have been handed out to 1025 people. Emotional and spiritual care has been offered to 151 individuals along with 125 comfort kits handed out to children to cope with this natural disaster. There have been 48 volunteers, 15 staff members, and 11 officers on the scene serving and all together contributing to 425 hours of service.

The Salvation Army is also providing shelter and meals to Team Rubicon volunteers who have come to Grand Rapids to perform the heavy clean-up work following the disaster.  Team Rubicon is an “international non-profit disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy disaster response teams, free of charge to communities affected by disasters across the country.”  We appreciate the support of our community joining us in serving those who were affected by the tornado.

Those who wish may support Emergency Disaster Services and other Salvation Army programs and services by sending financial gifts directly to The Salvation Army, 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3849 or by calling 616.459.3433. For more information, please visit our website at http://sawmni.org/wmni/emergency-disaster-services.

 


Emergency Disaster Services on the Scene- July 7, 2014

A severe thunderstorm hit the southern Grand Rapids area Sunday, July 6, causing severe damage and injuring a half dozen people from the strong downburst. Power lines have been knocked down and fallen trees have landed on homes and have blocked roadways.

Beginning in the early hours of Monday, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) was already on the scene. The EDS canteen was set up on the corner of 54th Street and Division Avenue from 1:30 – 6:00 a.m. and served 100 meals to first responders. The EDS canteen will be set up for several additional days at the Ideal Park Christian Reformed Church, located on the corner of 56th Street SW and Averill Avenue SW and will be serving first responders and area residents meals, snacks and hydration as well as providing emotional and spiritual care as needed. 

A severe thunderstorm hit the southern Grand Rapids area Sunday night causing severe damage and injuring a half dozen people from the strong downburst. Power lines have been knocked down and fallen trees have landed on homes and have blocked roadways.

Beginning in the early hours of Monday, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) was already on the scene. The EDS canteen was set up on the corner of 54th Street and Division Avenue from 1:30 – 6:00 a.m. and served 100 meals to first responders. The EDS canteen will be set up for several additional days at the Ideal Park Christian Reformed Church, located on the corner of 56th Street SW and Averill Avenue SW and will be serving first responders and area residents meals, snacks and hydration as well as providing emotional and spiritual care as needed. 

Those who wish may support Emergency Disaster Services and other Salvation Army programs and services by sending financial gifts directly to The Salvation Army, 1215 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3849 or by calling 616.459.3433. For more information, please visit our website at http://sawmni.org/wmni/emergency-disaster-services.

Tags: WMNI