Salvation Army partnering with Escape Outdoors to donate water and fans
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Summer is just weeks away, but it’s already feeling like it.
For many of us, escaping extreme temperatures is as easy as adjusting our thermostats.
However, that’s not the story for those experiencing homelessness.
That’s why local shelters like the Salvation Army of Augusta are stepping up to offer resources during a heated time.
This month, the Salvation Army is partnering with Escape Outdoors to host a donation drive for water and fans because for many, the heat isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous.
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The sun doesn’t just shine bright in Augusta, it presses down, at times being unforgiving.
”It is dangerously hot in Augusta during the summer, and so we really try to encourage anyone who is experiencing homelessness to at least try and come and check into our shelter,” said Janelys Villalta, Salvation Army of Augusta, marketing and public relations manager.
For those without a roof, every step in the heat is a fight to survive.
”A bottle of water is something that a lot of us take for granted, but a lot of people need it during the summer heat, so we try to be a lifeline for those people. They know they can come to the Salvation Army to get water,” said Villalta.
For many women and children, hope dwindles.
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”We are seeing more women and children than we have in the past. A lot of our clients are families who are just struggling to make ends meet and they just need a place to stay for the night,” said Villalta.
Many lives become dependent on the kindness of strangers.
”I mean it when I say $5 makes a difference, that helps us feed two people at our soup kitchen. So whatever help you can give, whether that’s money, goods or time. We really do appreciate it,” said Villalta.
Help comes in all sizes. They’re asking for two simple things: fans and water.
They are small items to some, but lifesaving tools to others.
“We don’t just out water to our clients who are staying here at the shelter. We give out water to anyone in the community. We do ask the community to donate fans for us as well. We those out, especially to the seniors in our community,” said Villalta.
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In the searing sun, hope doesn’t have to be a mirage, but a cold bottle of water, a cool breeze, and a shelter opening its doors.
To donate items in May, you can drop them off at the following locations:
- Escape Outdoors, located at 377 Fury’s Ferry Road
- Escape Outdoors, located at 387 Highland Avenue
- Any Salvation Army location, including the Center of Hope, the Kroc Center, and all local Family Stores
They are also continuing to do donation drives in June and partnering with Taco Cat.
We’ll have location drop-offs and other ways you can donate items or even volunteer by clicking these links:
- https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/augusta/volunteer/
- https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/augusta/ways-to-give
They also say that while they’re doing donation drives now, they accept items all year long.
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