Boston Response

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston, and especially the victims and families at this time. Two explosions occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring many more.

This morning, Hope Force International (HFI) founders, Jack and Cherie Minton spoke with Mike Orfitelli, Salvation Army Disaster Services Coordinator for the Eastern Territory, regarding the response effort in Boston.

The Salvation Army has been a partner organization with HFI since 2005.

Orfitelli forwarded HFI the following message with the Salvation Army?s current response to the tragedy.

The Salvation Army continues to assist those impacted by the Boston Marathon explosions. Canteens were positioned at various site throughout the city, including the Unified Command Post, the Family Assistance Center, and Kenmore Square. An additional canteen roved throughout the impacted area supplying food, snacks, and beverages to those in need. As of this morning, 1,729 meals, drinks were supplied to the victims, the families, and first responders. The Salvation Army will remain on site at the Family Assistance Center, located at the Park Plaza Castle, as long as support is needed.

The runners, their families, and the first responders also received emotional and spiritual care from 12 Salvation Army officers and 23 Salvation Army staff/volunteers. Eight Salvation Army officers were deployed to various hospitals throughout the Boston area offering pastoral care as needed.

The Salvation Army continues to collaborate with the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Department, the Police Department, Sparks, the Red Cross, the Department of Child, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Riverside Trauma, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

Please continue to prayer for those so dramatically impacted by this tragedy.

Regards,

Trish Raines
Director of Strategic Communication/External Relations
The Salvation Army, Eastern Territory