FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 28, 2007

WEST CHESTER - Senator Andy Dinniman on Thursday presented a $20,000 check to the Salvation Army of West Chester for its Code Blue program.

Senator Dinniman secured the state funding after learning that the Salvation Army did not have money for the program this winter.

The Salvation Army’s Code Blue program provides shelter, food and clothing to homeless residents on cold winter nights. West Chester police take homeless residents off the street when nighttime temperatures fall below 32 degrees F. For at least 15 years, local police have taken these residents to the West Chester Salvation Army headquarters on East Market Street.

The grant funding from Sen. Dinniman “has really answered a prayer,” said Salvation Army Captain Gerald Morgan. “I am glad I don’t have to face the decision of turning people away, because the Salvation Army has never done that.”

Morgan said that last winter, the West Chester Salvation Army’s Code Blue program provided emergency shelter to an average of 60 residents for a total of 331 nights.

“The West Chester Salvation Army literally saves lives through its Code Blue program,” Dinniman said on Wednesday. “I’m glad I was able to help in providing this vital service.”

Senator Dinniman will formally present the check to Salvation Army captions Gerald and Debby Morgan on Thursday at noon at the Salvation Army’s headquarters at 101 E. Market Street. West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder will be among those attending the check presentation event.

Morgan said he hopes the announcement of the $20,000 check, which will cover 50 percent of what is needed for the four-month program, will spur additional donations.

“We will go as far as we can with this money. We will stretch every last dollar,” Morgan said. “But our hope is that we will be able to raise the awareness of our Code Blue program and raise the remaining amount of funds needed for this winter.”

For more information, call Captain Gerald Morgan at 610-696-8747.

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