Tamaqua volunteers head to Florida
Eric Becker and Frankie Latham of the Tamaqua Salvation Army left Wednesday morning for the Florida Panhandle, where they will provide disaster assistance to victims of Hurricane Michael. KATHY KUNKEL/TIMES NEWS
“It’s going to be an adventure, different but similar to what we’ve done in the past.”
So says Frankie Latham, a volunteer with the Tamaqua Salvation Army Disaster Relief Corps. Latham, and fellow volunteer Eric Becker of Shenandoah, were on their way to the Philadelphia International Airport this morning to travel to the Florida Panhandle to provide help to victims of Hurricane Michael. The two men have been Salvation Army volunteers for many years and have provided help to victims of a variety of disasters.
The big difference this time, for Latham, is the plane ride.
“I’ve always driven to disaster areas before. This is my first time, ever, in an airplane,” he said.
Becker says they aren’t sure exactly where they will be stationed after they touch down in Pensacola, Florida.
“There are hurricane victims from Mexico Beach and Panama City in Florida, to Georgia and all the way to North Carolina. We’ll go wherever we are needed the most.”
The Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief teams have been working around the clock in all three state since Hurricane Michael made landfall on Oct. 10.
Staff and volunteers have been manning hundreds of mobile kitchens, providing food, water, emotional and spiritual support along with a variety of critical services including hygiene and cleanup kits to thousands of people.
While Latham and Becker will be physically providing help to those affected by Hurricane Michael, the best way to help survivors and relief workers is to make a financial contribution.
Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors.
To donate by phone, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or text STORM to 51555; online at www.HelpSalvationArmy.org; or donate at any Salvation Army Center.
