The Salvation Army Vail

Calendar of Events

Red Kettle Golf Tournament June 5, 2008

Vail Valley chapter committed to the community

The Vail Valley Service Unit of the Salvation Army provides emergency assistance and strives to meet human needs, in an effort to promote self-sufficiency. In fact, that’s so important it’s our mission statement. The Vail Salvation Army’s overall goal is to stabilize living conditions by providing food, shelter and housing, utility assistance and basic needs for families and individuals who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves.

“We’re here to help people who’ve hit a rough patch,” explained Dan Smith, Chairman of the Board. “We try to play an end game. Are they in housing that’s too expensive for them, is there some solution we can find that can keep this problem from recurring? We work toward some resolution of the issue, even though it might not be immediate. We also partner with other agencies.”

The Vail Valley Salvation Army was established in Eagle County in 1984 to address the needs of stranded motorists traveling the I- 70 corridor. In that year, the Salvation Army helped six families who were struggling to make ends meet with food baskets and clothing at Christmas.

As the population of the Valley grew, the role of the Salvation Army expanded to include our current programs, which address the needs of a growing community. Twenty one years later, the Salvation Army not only offers help to stranded motorists, but assistance to hundreds of families and individuals every year who are in financial need or are involved in emergency situations.

The Vail Salvation Army was organized as – and remains – a selfsufficient service extension unit providing funding for its programs and activities without the financial assistance of National or Regional chapters of the Salvation Army.

The Vail Valley Salvation Army strives to provide emergency aid while at the same time promoting collaboration with other help agencies in an effort to promote self-sufficiency. We have several service programs to help us achieve our goals:

PROGRAMS

Food Pantry

Our year-round food pantry provides food and nutrition to low-income families.

Emergency Assistance Program

This program offers emergency financial assistance to individuals at risk of losing housing or utility providers. In addition, Salvation Army helps with medical, dental and prescription needs, school supplies, clothing and household necessities. Our crisis line operates 24/7 year round.

Emergency Transportation

We provide assistance in the form of gasoline vouchers, hotel accommodations, auto repair, food and bus tickets to stranded motorists. This program works closely with local law enforcement agencies.

Emergency Shelters

Shelters are provided for road closures and emergency situations.

Adopt A Family and Food Basket Programs

These two programs operate during the holiday season, utilizing referrals from collaborative help agencies including churches in Eagle County. Salvation Army links community host members to low-income families who might not be able to afford the luxury of Christmas. Children and family members receive gifts, warm clothing and household necessities through the generosity of their matched host family. Salvation Army operates a Holiday Cabin during this season to offset community costs for this project. Food baskets are delivered to low-income families at both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Durable Medical Equipment lending

Vail Valley Salvation Army has a Durable Medical Equipment lending program. Individuals, regardless of income, can borrow wheelchairs, toilet risers, walkers, etc. at no charge. This program is in partnership with Vail Valley Medical Center's Volunteer Corps.

Eagle County Smiles Dental Van

Eagle County Smiles is another Community Partnership initiative that Vail Valley Salvation Army helped to initiate. Tooth decay is the most chronic disease affecting children, and although it is nearly 100 percent preventable, one in four Eagle COunty third graders has untreated decay. The Eagle County Smiles task force, along with University of Colorado School of Dentistry provided free screens for 192 un-insured and underinsured children. They also provided treatment through a dental van for children at greatest risk. Early Screens and treatment are essential to maintaining a healthy smile.

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Vail Valley Salvation Army - P.O. Box 2183 Edwards, CO 81632 - info@salvationarmyvail.org