News Release

PERTH AMBOY – On Tuesday, July 30th, the new branch of PNC Bank recognized and honored the Officers, Staff and Advisory Board of the Perth Amboy Salvation Army. Maria Villegas, the PNC Branch Manager, hosted a lunch to express the appreciation of PNC Bank for all the services and special programs provided by The Salvation Army to Perth Amboy and the surrounding communities.

The Perth Amboy Salvation Army, located at the corner of Washington Avenue and State Street, offers these numerous programs and services:

• Sunday Church Services are conducted by LT Jose Andres Santiago in The Salvation Army Chapel.
• A permanent housing unit, “The Care House”, which serves as a transitional shelter for homeless men, many of whom are “Veterans”. The men are rehabilitated, counseled by degreed professionals, assisted in finding jobs and then transitioned back into society.
• An “Emergency Shelter”, which operates on a nightly basis from mid-October to mid-March, provides a place for homeless men to get a shower, hot meal and a cot for the night.
• A “Veterans’ Coffee House” provides a forum for veterans to meet once a month, to discuss their military experiences and to bond with other veterans.
• An “After-School” program to instruct children how to use a computer for educational purposes, to complete their homework properly and to develop good “study habits”.
• A “Food Pantry” to assist those in need with food to feed their families.
• A “Soup Kitchen”, which operates during the last 10 days of every month, serves men, women and children with a warm lunch.
• A” Summer Camp Program” that provides the opportunity for low-income families to send their children to The Salvation Army’s Camp Tecumseh located on almost 400 acres of rolling hills in rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey (http://camptecumseh.com).
• A “Thanksgiving Meal” program in which over 100 turkeys and all the associated food items are provided each year to low-income families.
• The “Angel Tree Program” enlists large companies and corporations to give requested gifts to the children of low-income families and children whose parent(s) are incarcerated during the Christmas season.
• The “Christmas Kettle Program” that collects money at specific business locations in Middlesex County. These kettles are manned by volunteers and are the primary source of funds for The Salvation Army. The goal is to raise $35,000 to $50,000 to support all the services provided.
• “Emergency Disaster Services” (EDS) responds to all types of fires, explosions and natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy. The Federal Office of Homeland Security paid for the 18 foot Canteen which is capable of serving 1,000 meals a day. The Middlesex County Coordinator, Jesse Rivera, recruits volunteers, makes provisions for their training and supervises the Canteen operations as well as obtaining food supplies. Mr. Rivera, who also serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board, was among 20 individuals out of more than 1,000 recommended, conferred with Gov. Christie’s prestigious Jefferson Award for outstanding volunteer service.

All these programs and services and are provided by the Corps Officers (LT Jose Andres Santiago and SGT MAJ Susan Olmeda), Staff, Advisory Board (10 professional volunteers who assist the officers and staff in all phases of operations, administration and supervision) as well as many other individual volunteers.

Donations of food, services and money are needed to sustain all these programs. Major local companies/corporations and service organizations are encouraged to assist and support The Perth Amboy Salvation Army in any way possible. LT Jose Andres Santiago can be reached at The Salvation Army’s main number @ 732-826-7040.

Should you have any questions, please contact Ed Marion @ 732-305-6486