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June 21, 2006

New trailer helps Salvation Army on the road

By Mary Meaux

PORT ARTHUR — When a disaster strikes, The Salvation Army is on the road to help.

And now with a special donation from Division 10 of the Texas/Oklahoma District of the Kiwanis International, the trip will be a lot easier.

When The Army leaves, it takes volunteers and a canteen, or portable kitchen, along with them to help feed the needy. Supplies are loaded into the canteen and must be unloaded upon arrival at their destination before work can begin.

Conrad Cooper, Lt. Governor of Division 10 of Kiwanis International, presented The Army with an 8 foot by 10 foot cargo trailer for use in the area on Wednesday.

Sertoma Club member Jeff Jackson is one of the volunteers that helps.

“This is a blessing,” Jackson said of the brand new trailer. “It will help so much.”

Jackson has been with the canteen on trips to Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina as well as other trips in the past four years.

Salvation Army Major Dan Whittaker was excited about the donation.

“The Army requires we carry three days of supplies whenever we go to a disaster until a supply line is established,” Whittaker said. “With this, we can get the generator and refrigerator up and running without having to unload the canteen first.”

Whittaker, who was part of the aid in the area after Hurricane Rita, has been serving in Port Arthur since June 2004 and will be leaving the area this week for Beaufort, S. C.

Cooper said the Kiwanis work closely with The Salvation Army, sending trained volunteers to assist during disasters.

Division 10 is made up of members from Jasper, Silsbee, Beaumont, Mid-County, Port Arthur, Orange and Orange Golden K.

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