The life-threatening temperatures currently impacting approximately 35 million Americans signal the continuation of what experts predicted to be a “hotter-than-usual” summer.
Extreme heat is deadlier than hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods annually, with almost 1,600 people dying last year in the United States. In some areas, unsheltered individuals account for nearly half of these deaths. Communities in nearly every part of the country are under heat advisories following unseasonably intense spikes in temperature. Unsheltered individuals in these areas face dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and infections from sweat-soaked clothing that go unwashed.
Because of the generous support of our donors, The Salvation Army is able to offer heat relief at many of our 7,200 locations across the country, which can be lifesaving in many situations.
Examples of some of The Salvation Army’s services across the country include:
- Omaha, NE: As temperatures are expected to skyrocket, The Salvation Army of Omaha has activated cooling centers and a summer fan program to help people stay cool and avoid heat-related illness.
- Tucson, AZ: Salvation Army volunteers passed out ice cold water, umbrellas, sunscreen and other essentials to survive the summer heat.
- Denver, CO: The Crossroads and Lambuth Family Center are providing a number of resources in the Denver metro area including shelters to keep people hydrated and covered.
- Wichita, KS: In addition to opening a cooling center for unsheltered individuals, The Salvation Army has also donated fans to Sedgwick County.
- Lubbock, TX: For those who don’t have access to adequate air conditioning, The Salvation Army is opening a cooling station in Lubbock. It will serve water, popsicles, and ice cream and provide water-based games for the children in the shelter.
- New York City, NY: Eight cooling centers are being launched in several neighborhoods including Tremont in the Bronx and Times Square to provide relief from the heat.
Across the country, The Salvation Army is opening cooling centers for those who need water and shade, as well as providing utility support for the elderly or other vulnerable individuals in affected communities.
The best way to support these efforts is by making a financial contribution, which allows The Salvation Army to meet immediate and long-term needs. To learn more about The Salvation Army’s response, visit salvationarmyusa.org.
To learn more about staying safe in extreme heat, click here.
Those who are able to donate can do so through a variety of convenient and safe methods:
- Visit HelpSalvationArmy.org
- Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Make a contribution through Amazon Alexa by saying, “Alexa, make a donation to The Salvation Army”
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