ROSBURG, Ore. (KMTR) -- Here in Oregon, we may feel very far away from those still suffering on the East Coast from Superstorm Sandy, but your donations truly do help.
It's understandable people want to send physical gifts, like clothes and blankets, but it's not very cost efficient. Sending gifts means there are pricey shipping costs that take away from donations. Once they get to the East Coast, people need to sort the gifts which also uses up valuable volunteer time. Plus, sending funds to be spent on the East Coast helps stimulate their local economy, where it's needed most.
"Obviously, trying to get donations from Oregon all the way to the East Coast would be very spendy," says Chris Freysinger, Captain of the Roseburg Salvation Army. "Plus, the people who are there are working with the survivors and don't have the time to be sorting donations," she added.
If you want to donate through The Salvation Army, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. You can find volunteer information online as well. You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text the word 'STORM' to 80888 to make a one-time $10 donation.
Your dollars will go a long way. According to the Salvation Army, just $10 feeds one disaster survivor for one day.
The Roseburg Salvation Army does have their own 8-person Emergency Disaster Service Team. They haven't sent anyone from Roseburg yet, but say if they're called to the East Coast, they'll be there as soon as they can.
