News : Chaplain Reeves assists with Disaster in Nebraska

When you think of our local Salvation Army service unit, you may think about financial assistance, providing meals for the homeless, providing snacks and hydration for first responders at a scene, or the Bell Ringing Campaign around the holidays. Those things are what most people think of about the Salvation Army. But the local Salvation Army does more than those things.

Each credentialed volunteer with their specific abilities and training, has the opportunity to be deployed to a disaster. It could be local, within the state, nationwide or overseas. The needs of the disaster dictate who is called on to serve.

Recently one of the members of the local Salvation Army was called on and deployed to Blair, Nebraska following the 3 tornadoes that hit the area. Chaplain Brian Reeves was requested to go to Blair Nebraska the Monday following the tornadoes.

Chaplain Reeves was the Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer for the week. Upon arriving he was the only Chaplain or Emotional and Spiritual care person there. While serving there Chaplain Reeves made a detailed report as to how the ESC teams or chaplains coming in the weeks ahead could best serve the community. He made contacts with the area's churches, mental health entities as well as the community groups to build a team of support for the community.

Chaplain Reeves used his training as a crisis intervention and law enforcement Chaplain to provide direction for the week he was there and also for the weeks and months that the Salvation Army will be in the area. He also assisted in distributing meals to the survivors and workers in the disaster areas.

Chaplain Reeves said' I felt very humbled and privileged to go serve. The team I was with was awesome. It's amazing how people help people when disaster strikes. I'm thankful I had a very small part in it all."

Our local Salvation Army is active, come volunteer with us. Get trained so you can serve the community and possibly serve in other places following a disaster. It will cost only your time.