Infographic: The History of The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services

 
When disaster strikes, The Salvation Army is never far.
 
Minutes after a two-mile-wide EF5 tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013, The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma had crews on the ground, serving meals and drinks to first responders and counseling tornado victims.
 
As you read this, relief operations continue in Moore, as well as in other places around the country that have been struck by recent disasters. To follow the news and find out how you can support the efforts in Oklahoma and nationwide, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or simply text “STORM” to 80888 to give $10 instantly to the victims in Moore.
 
Of course, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services did not begin this year – nor even this century. The EDS has a 100-plus-year history of aiding the victims of disaster all over the world!
 
We at Summit Marketing created the following infographic to showcase – and salute – the great and essential work The Salvation Army’s units have done in mobilizing quickly time and again to provide material and spiritual comfort to those in need.
 

 
Share this with your friends, and find out how to give – in times both bad and good – at donate.salvationarmyusa.org.

Authored by Jason Harper, Manager of Interactive Strategy at Summit Marketing. Connect with us @SummitSocial.

New Partnership With Mile High United Way of Denver, CO

Summit Marketing is pleased to announce a new integrated marketing partnership with the Mile High United Way of Denver, Colorado.

“We look forward to utilizing our expertise to inspire philanthropy across a broad fund development spectrum on behalf of the people served by the Mile High United Way.  Summit Marketing is excited about the unique opportunity it will have to help the organization enhance the value of its existing donors, re-engage previous donors and acquire new donors,” says Michael Tritt, president of Summit Marketing.

As the Mile High United Way celebrates its 125th anniversary, Summit Marketing will provide fiscal year end integrated marketing support through both e-mail and direct mail communications.  The fiscal year end marketing effort will focus on raising funds for Mile High United Way’s three major initiatives: School Readiness, Youth Success (which includes the highly-acclaimed Bridging the Gap program), and Adult Self Sufficiency.

Mile High United Way is the original and oldest United Way in the United States.  The organization works with hundreds of local nonprofit partners, government agencies, policy-makers and businesses to better the lives of Coloradans. “This collaboration will go a long way in raising awareness about pressing needs in the five-county metro Denver area.  Together, Summit Marketing and the Mile High United Way hope to further our mission of advancing the common good for all,” says Jennifer Stokes, Vice President of Donor Relations for the Mile High United Way.

About Summit Marketing

The recipient of 45 national and regional awards for outstanding results in Direct Marketing, Summit Marketing has offices in Lenexa, KS, St. Louis, MO and Washington D.C.  The company is a fully integrated marketing communications agency that serves three distinct markets – commercial, government and nonprofit.  Summit Marketing is a total solutions partner that creates indelible connections that move people to action. Their client list includes major brands such as Applebee’s, The Salvation Army, Mile High United Way and Tide Dry Cleaning.  To learn more about Summit Marketing, visit us at http://www.summitmarketing.com.

Why Online Donors are Worth More than Offline Donors

The research in these reports from Blackbaud is extensive and well worth the read if you’re into all things fundraising, but I’d like to focus your attention on one piece of the findings for now:

The majority of donations still comes from traditional offline channels, but online fundraising continues to be a significant source for acquiring new donors.

In fact, the dominate giving channel for new donors 64 years old and younger is online. Plus, revenue and household income for online acquired donors is significantly higher than for offline acquired donors.

The trend towards online fundraising is an important one to pay attention to. Here’s why …

http://www.netwitsthinktank.com/online-fundraising/why-online-donors-are-worth-more-than-offline-donors-infographic.htm/trackback

Augmented Reality

Hey Non-Profit…  Here is an idea for you. 

Has anyone thought of using AR and the kettle?  What if mobile phone users could view a kettle with their phone and “see” the people they are helping?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6c1STmvNJc

 (If the link is not live you might have to copy and paste into your web browser)

Crazy Cool QR Codes

These are some of the coolest QR Codes I’ve seen, both visually and functionally. Had to share it. Follow the link below to check ‘em out for yourself.

http://blog.kissmetrics.com/genius-qr-codes/

*For Blog Subscribers who read these posts via email…my last post contained a link that didn’t show up in the email delivery. So just in case that happened again, here’s the URL to cut & paste into your browser: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/genius-qr-codes/ )
Thanks!

diamond ring in the kettle – UPDATE

Sold!
A European-cut diamond that someone dropped into a Salvation Army red kettle outside a Shawnee store sold for $6,325 today on eBay.
The diamond, set in a ring donated by Meierotto’s Jewelers in Kansas City, North, was bought by an unknown buyer in Indiana.
Potential buyers placed 86 bids on the diamond ring during the weeklong auction, which ended at 10:15 a.m.
The diamond had an unusual cut that is no longer used. It is thought to be have been cut more than 100 years ago.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/07/3414995/donated-diamond-ring-nets-thousands.html#storylink=cpy

***oooh, someone in Indiana bought it, I wonder if our client can find out more!***

what ever happened to that diamond in the red kettle?

It looks like The Salvation Army was able to spin another story from the publicity rush they got over Xmas when some diamonds were anonymously dropped in some KC-area kettles.

Now, suddenly, it’s a Valentines Day story!

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/27/3395363/salvation-army-to-auction-diamond.html

Are we heeding our client’s advice?

As I was clearing out my basement last night, while under a tornado watch once again until midnight, it got me to thinking — “what does the Red Cross say I should do?”

I work on their account daily, have seen hundreds of letters about preparing for a storm, but did I really pay attention? Surely this couldn’t happen to me.

It’s kind of like when you are on a plane and the flight attendant tells you take the emergency information card out of the seat back pocket in front of you. Does anyone besides Michelle Noyes really do this?

Well, the recent events in Joplin, Tuscaloosa, North Minneapolis, Oklahoma and Memphis indicate we should. The people living there probably had the same felling I did, “this couldn’t happen to me.” As I was cowering in the stairwell here in the office this morning, I realized it can!

So let’s take advice from our friends at the Red Cross, and be prepared.

STEPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE:

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan

• Pick a safe place where family members can gather, like a basement.  If you don’t have one, choose a center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor.
• If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have time to reach the lowest floor.  Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

• First Aid kit and essential medications
• Canned food and can opener
• At least 3 gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so — remember, you will need a professional to turn them back on

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated
  storm information.
• Know the difference between a tornado watch and warning:

• A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area.
• A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to your safe place immediately.

If a Tornado WATCH is Issued . . .

• Listen to the local radio and TV stations for updates.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions.  Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you.  Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

If a Tornado WARNING is Issued . . .

• If you are inside, go to your basement or interior room to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects.
• If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
• If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety, as above.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike before you plan how to deal with it.  Be prepared!

My compassionate co-workers!

I heard about a drive to collect water and money for the victims of the Joplin tornado…and one of the collection sites was right by my daycare. I figured I could run some stuff by there this week, no prob.

Then I found out the organizers were in a hurry. They needed water to give to The Salvation Army for distribution…and money for Heart to Heart, International.  So I asked everyone at the KC office if they could bring cases of water and/or some money for the cause.

With only ONE DAY’s notice…they responded with EIGHTEEN cases of water and more than $150.

Here is what we collected yesterday:

and we added our donation to this one:

thanks everyone!
and now there is talk about wanting to participate in a clothing drive.
Summiteers are awesome.

Joplin on my mind

It’s the deadliest tornado in Missouri history.  I wish torandos, like hurricanes, had names.  Like, Katrina or JerkFace.

This thing was bad, but what is so amazing to see in Kansas City (and in St. Louis, I suspect) is the heartwarming spirit of giving that goes on when our communities rally together after a thing like this.

While it’s on your mind, please consider donating to one of our two clients who are doing AMAZING work in Joplin right now.