Salvation Army personnel throughout the USA Gulf Coast are mobilizing to respond to tropical storm Gustav, which is expected to develop into a serious category three hurricane at the beginning of September.

Salvation Army units in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas have 100 mobile feeding units and three fully-equipped 54-foot field kitchens ready for immediate response. In addition, The Salvation Army is prepared to supplement these units with 70 canteens from inland states, as was necessary in response to hurricane Katrina. In total, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide a minimum of 560,000 meals a day, as necessary.

Thousands of trained emergency disaster services (EDS) personnel are on-call over what is a holiday weekend in the United States, as The Salvation Army coordinates response plans with state and federal emergency operations centres and other social service organizations. EDS personnel are prepared to help evacuate the homeless and provide for those who have no other means of support.

The Salvation Army will also provide clean-up kits, drinking water, hygiene kits, shower units and first-aid supplies, as well as emotional and spiritual care. The Salvation Army’s extensive network of volunteer ham-radio operators, SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network), will help maintain communications in case mobile phones and land lines are knocked out, and will provide missing persons support.

The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in Gustav’s path to prepare an emergency supply kit, an evacuation plan and remain alert to all warnings and evacuation orders. Disaster response professionals recommend having a three to five day supply of food and water for each individual family member, as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio.

‘It is imperative that residents of New Orleans and the central Gulf Coast region heed all warnings and orders associated with tropical storm Gustav, regardless of its path,’ said Captain Ethan Frizzell, Area Commander for The Salvation Army in New Orleans. ‘It is important that each of us prepares now for Gustav.’

People who want to help those in the USA affected by tropical storm Gustav can learn more at The Salvation Army’s US National web site (www.salvationarmyusa.org). The Salvation Army in the United States is currently not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims, but is asking for financial support for its operations. Contributions may be made on-line using a major credit card at our secure web site (https://secure.salvationarmy.org). Donations should be marked ‘USA Gustav Disaster Relief‘.

Summer Day Camp 2008 runs from June 9th-August 1st. We have daily activities for the kids ranging from educational games to music and sports. We will also be taking numerous field trips to places such as Great America and Big Sur. Contact Daniel Hammond at 831-899-1335 ext. 1718 if you are interested in volunteering with us this summer.

To sign up for Day Camp or more information, contact Franny Huck at 899-1335 ext 1710.

• We need 15 children to be sponsored at $40/week for 8 weeks.

• To sponsor 1 child for 8 weeks at $40/week, it would cost $320. This would mean the family would still pay $10/week
• To completely sponsor 1 child for 1 week, it costs $50
• To partially sponsor 1 child for 1 week of the Leadership Training (a new program this summer for older youth), it costs $15/week. 8 weeks would cost $120

If you would like to send a child to day camp this summer, please call Franny Huck at 899-1335 ext 1710 or mail a check to:

The Salvation Army
Att: Youth Center Day Camp
1491 Contra Costa
Seaside, CA 93955
(please indicate what the donation is for)

Thank you for your support!

Last week I toured the museum of modern art and a tower with a great view of the city. I’ve also been enjoying lots of quality time with my family here. In three more days I begin the trip home.

See you next week!

Franny

Get FREE help from our very own computer geek!

• Basic PC Cleanup of Spyware and Viruses
• Installation of Software and Hardware
• Diagnose and Troubleshoot computer problems
• Tutorials and Recommendations
• Any other computer questions we’ll try to answer!

Just bring your computer. We have monitors, keyboards and mice to fit most PCs.

For more information contact Melissa at 899-4911

PC Workshop Flyer

530 Elm Ave (Youth Center Bld 2)
Seaside, CA 93955
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Last Thursday, we arrived in Astana. The weather still quite pleasant, although the past few days have cooled considerably. We even saw hail today.

I got to go to the student center and talked with some students about what it means for them to be Kazakh. I also got to practice some Spanish with one of the students. I’m enjoying meeting some locals and tasting their cuisine.

Paka (Bye) for now,

Franny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CV5Dk9i6nc