Local Salvation Army Prepares to Aid in Lava Relief

The Salvation Army is preparing to respond to the June 27 lava flow that is likely to cross Highway 130 in the coming days.

Personnel with the Salvation Army on the Big Island are mobilizing resources to respond with a team of support agencies.

“The Salvation Army is part of a team of agencies providing assistance during this pending event and working closely with both the State and Hawaii Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster and the East Hawai’i Island VOAD,” according to Major Mark Gilden, Divisional Secretary for Business for The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Island Division.

“At this point, we anticipate The Salvation Army will be providing displaced residents, emergency management works and volunteers with food and water, overseeing a planned temporary storage area for personal property, and facilitating emergency donations,” Gilden continued. “In addition, our mobile canteen is on standby for use on the island.”

Members of the public can help support the emergency disaster services efforts through a monetary donation at the Hawaii Salvation Army website or by calling the Hawaiian & Pacific Divisional Headquarters at 988-2136.

One-hundred percent of donations received will support The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services in Hawai’i.

Residents in need who are in the flows immediate path may contact The Salvation Army’s Hilo Corps Office at 808-935-1277.