THE SALVATION ARMY HELPS THOSE IN NEED

OF RELIEF FROM THE HEAT

Residents are welcome to stop by & cool off!

Springfield, MO (June 26, 2012) Local residents in need of relief from the heat are always welcome to stop by The Salvation Army's main lobby located at 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway for a safe place to cool off and get a cool drink of water.

"As part of our mission & dedication to the local community, The Salvation Army will always open its doors to those who are most in need," Major Norman Grainger, Ozark Area Coordinator, said. "Especially those who are in need of relief from the weather or exposure from the elements."

Residents who are 50 years old or older are also welcome to participate in The Salvation Army's senior citizen program, which operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. A nutritious meal is served every day from noon until 1 p.m.; $1donation is requested, but not required.

"We come here for the fellowship and the friendship," Andy Griffin, a 67-year-old Springfield resident said. "But right now this gives us a chance to get out of the house, and still have protection from the heat."

The Salvation Army is also accepting donations of fans at its main location to hand out to the community's elderly and low-income residents. Fans can be donated at anytime.

The Salvation Army activates its Emergency Cooling Center when the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning or when the need throughout the community appears to be significant.

For more information about The Salvation Army, the Emergency Cooling Center or donating fans to those in need please call (417) 862-5509.

To support the year-round outreach of The Salvation Army Ozark Area Coordination financial contributions can be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O Box 9685 in Springfield MO, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by visiting http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org - 82¢ of every single dollar goes directly toward programs & services that help local Ozarks residents in need.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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