In September of 1900, Galveston, TX was devasted by a major hurricane; in response, The Salvation Army sent officers (pastors) to the disaster site to help survivors. This was the beginning of The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS).

For over 100 years, The Salvation Army has been responding to disasters of all kinds all around the world. From transportation accidents to natural disasters, EDS has a strong commitment to bring hope, care and practical assistance to those suffering in the midst of extremely difficult situations.  

EDS relies heavily on volunteers. Affectionately dubbed “the army behind the Army,” volunteers are a critical piece of response efforts during a disaster, with the power to positively impact the lives of those involved. 

What Volunteers Do 

There are a variety of ways for volunteers to participate. They may serve on a canteen team, delivering food and beverages to first responders and survivors during an ongoing disaster. Volunteers may support preparedness efforts by joining packing events, which would involve prepping clean up kits, hygiene kits and food boxes. Some may help deliver clothing and other supplies, set up temporary shelters or provide emotional and spiritual support to survivors. In addition to this, there are many other ways you can assist EDS—specific duties will vary by team, region and need.

How To Get Involved 

There are two types of EDS volunteers: day volunteers and credentialed volunteers.

Becoming a day volunteer is perfect for those who want to get involved quickly, or who have limited time to give but want to help out for a few hours or days. 

Becoming a credentialed volunteer is a greater time commitment as it involves extensive training. These volunteer disaster workers are assigned to their local Salvation Army unit; they may be contacted to serve locally or to mobilize across the country. They provide essential services to those affected by disasters and their presence at disaster sites will typically be longer than that of a day volunteer. 

Both day and credentialed volunteers will undergo training. The process to become a credentialed volunteer takes several weeks of training and courses and may fit for those looking for a long-term volunteer gig. For those interested in volunteering quickly, a day volunteer may be the best fit. 

The Salvation Army Responds to Brazil Floods

More than 873,000 people have been affected by severe rain and flooding in the southern region of Brazil, with an estimated 150,000 people displaced from their homes.

Portions of the state capital, Porto Alegre, and surrounding towns have been partially submerged, including the district in which The Salvation Army’s corps (church) is located.  

Salvation Army emergency volunteers are hard at work in the area. They are conducting ongoing assessments of devastation and need, distributing fresh water, food, clothes and more to struggling families. As roads clear up, Salvationists will continue their rapid response efforts and provide spiritual and emotional support to those affected.

To read more, visit bit.ly/salarmy-brazilfloods.  

How to Volunteer With The Salvation Army

Lots of people are aware of The Salvation Army, but may not know how to get involved. The Salvation Army offers volunteer opportunities to make a difference in their communities. 

• The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services relies on volunteers to provide crucial aid, hope and healing to disaster survivors and first responders. 
• Volunteers with the anti-trafficking program empower individuals to combat exploitation and support survivors holistically, by fostering resilience and advocating for justice in communities affected by human trafficking. 
• Volunteering at homeless shelters offers opportunities to provide support and resources to help individuals and families rebuild their lives. 
• Thrift store volunteers work together to make a meaningful difference by sorting donations, organizing merchandise, assisting customers and more. 
• The Salvation Army’s camps are a great place for volunteers and staff to create transformative experiences for youth by fostering a sense of belonging in a supportive and enriching outdoor environment. 

Echelon Member Spotlight: Madilyn Maruna

As the president of the Echelon Cleveland chapter, Madilyn Maruna is an enthusiastic leader with a hands-on approach. In addition to her role as president, Madilyn is also a member of the Echelon Leadership Council, working with other Echelon leaders on leadership and chapter building. 

When a staff liaison for Salvation Army Echelon visited her office, Madilyn knew she wanted to know more about Echelon. Soon after, she became a member of a steering committee to help start what is now the Echelon Cleveland chapter. “Although starting a chapter during the pandemic was challenging, our steering committee persevered by utilizing virtual and hybrid recruiting events,” Madilyn said. She became the first president and serves in that role today. “It is extraordinarily rewarding to build something from the ground up, and I made a lot of very close friends in the process.” 

One of her favorite events was the chapter’s Back to School Carnival last August, hosted for children staying in the Cleveland Harbor Light facility. The chapter provided school supplies and backpacks for the children, and hosted games and a pizza party. “The best part about the event is interacting with the children and seeing the joy on their faces as they decorate cookies, play Simon Says, and engage in a silly Oreo game.” After this successful event, they planned another Carnival that happened this past August.  

Want to get involved with Echelon? Visit salvationarmyechelon.org for more information. Follow Echelon Cleveland on LinkedIn and on Instagram @echeloncleveland. 

Hoops!

This past January, the Echelon Omaha chapter hosted an inaugural basketball skills camp at The Salvation Army Omaha North Corps.

The co-ed event was attended by 20 children, grades 3-6, from the Omaha metro area, who learned ball handling, passing and shooting skills. Each participant also received two tickets to that day’s University of Nebraska at Omaha men’s basketball game. Leading the camp were Echelon Omaha members who served as coaches: Ellie Brecht, a UNO women’s basketball alumna and current assistant director of Development at UNO Athletics, and Callie Kanthack, an attorney. Also coaching was Klay Rowe, a 3×3 FIBA player. 

Members of the Echelon Omaha chapter concluded the camp by presenting a donation of $948 to Omaha North Corps officers Lt. Marsha Williams-Miller and Lt. Johnny Miller.