FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SUPPORTING SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES
Q—Why are you still collecting personal care items? I heard that you were swamped and didn’t need any more.
A--Contrary to what you may be hearing in the media, The
Salvation Army has channels open for distribution of items being donated to
personnel being deployed to the Middle East. The current demand for Deployment
Kits far exceeds those
presently in the pipeline.
Q—Are there any guidelines regarding the items being donated?
A—For security reasons, one of the preliminary steps we have been taking in assembling Deployment Kits is inspecting donated items to insure that the integrity of manufacturers packaging has not been compromised. After evaluating a randomly selected number of items that have been donated, we want to emphasize items should be "individually wrapped" and "Travel Size" is the size of choice.
Q—Are there any items which you are not receiving in the quantities you need?
A—One of the items that is in particular demand is “Wipes.” They are very useful in cleaning up when water is not available. Here again we want to emphasize “Wipes” in the individual size. The large “Nursery Size” won’t fit into Deployment Kits. Other items in short supply include: Eye Drops, Travel Size Shaving Cream,
Hand Sanitizer (2 Oz Size), Nail Clippers, and Sun Block (Small Size).
Q—What are you going to do with items being donated that cannot be used in the Deployment Kits.
A—We have a program in place which will provide support to the families of Service Men and Women, many of whom are facing a significant reduction in their family income. Donated items will be made available to such families as their needs become known. Be assured that all donations will be handled in the spirit in which they were given.
Q—What about cash donations?
A—Cash
donations can be made on-line at
http://www.salvationarmy.org or by check made out to "The Salvation Army"
and sent to The Salvation Army, New Jersey Division, 4 Gary Road, PO Box 3170,
Union, New Jersey, 07803. Either way, the donation should be designated for
"Operation Red Shield." Such donations may be used to purchase items which are
not being donated in sufficient quantity to meet
the demand for Deployment Kits or to provided financial assistance to families
of Service Men and Women who are in need.
Q—What else are you doing to support the Service Men and Women and their Families?
A—Offer the questioner a copy of the Operation Red Shield brochure.
NOTE—If the
supply of brochures runs out, you might say a word or two about Operation
CARES. Operation CARES (Computer Access to Reach Every Serviceperson) is being
tested in Bridgeton. It’s a program made possible by the new electronic age in
which we live. Under the program families will be encouraged to keep in touch
with their loved ones using e-mail. As the program unfolds, it is anticipated
that The Salvation Army will put out a call for used computers that can be put
back to work. A few already have been donated and a volunteer has been
enlisted to remove all personal information concerning the donors from the
hard drives in order not to compromise such things as the donor’s credit card
information.
Q—Does The Salvation Army have any plans when it comes to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq?
A—The
Salvation Army is mobilizing resources in response to the humanitarian crisis in
Iraq. Personnel have been placed on standby and a forward operations base is to
be set up in the region, enabling preparations to be made for a significant
humanitarian response. General John Larsson, the international leader of the
Salvation Army, is on record, “The Salvation Army stands poised to do its part
to help alleviate the human suffering of the Iraqi people.” An appeal has been
launched for funds, and donations can be made to this Middle East Emergency Fund
on-line at
http://www.salvationarmy.org .