Local Salvation Army director explains ways to help with Haitian relief

[February 04, 2010]  The most effective way to help is through a cash donation. Cash can be sent efficiently to Haiti and used to help those in need while giving a much-needed boost to the local Haitian economy. The Salvation Army pledges that 100 percent of donations received for disaster relief will be used for that purpose.  

By phone:

Those wishing to donate money by phone can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

By Internet
Those wishing to donate online can go to www.salvationarmyusa.org and click on the "Haiti Earthquake Relief" graphic.

By mail:
Those wishing to send donations by check (please make sure to write "Haiti Earthquake" in the memo field) can send that check to:

The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

In person:

All monetary donations designated for "Haiti Earthquake" received at the Keest Center, 307 N. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln, will be forwarded for disaster relief in Haiti.

New -- by cell phone!
Donors can now send the word "Haiti" to 52000 via text message on their cell phone. A $10 donation will appear on their next cell phone bill. The donor’s cell phone carrier may charge them the standard text messaging rates.

The Salvation Army cannot accept the following for Haiti at this time:

Donations of goods:

The Salvation Army has received no requests for donations of goods, furniture, clothing or other material gifts from its Emergency Disaster Services team in Haiti.

Gifts of in-kind materials are welcome at the Lincoln Salvation Army Thrift Store and support the work of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Springfield. Donations to the Lincoln store do not support assistance programs and Emergency Disaster Services operations in Logan County.

Acceptance of material goods for "disaster survivors only" is not possible, as the logistics and added expense for transportation of these items is not practical.  

Requests to volunteer:

The Salvation Army has no way to send volunteers to Haiti from the Midwest at this time. The organization truly appreciate your willingness to help, but the situation in Haiti is very dangerous and fluid, and there are no facilities to house Haitian survivors or injured. It would be impossible -- at this point -- to host volunteers.

Community members with questions about the relief work of The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services in Haiti may call Rebecca Van Nydeggen at 217-732-7890 for more information.  

[Text from file received from Rebecca Van Nydeggen, director, Logan County Salvation Army]