MIDDLEBURG – The Salvation Army of Clay County received its new specialized disaster response vehicle in a ceremony Monday, July 22, at the Corps office on County Road 220.

The Salvation Army's Southern Territory is proud to receive this specialized equipment from a 2022 IMPACT Grant from the Lilly Endowment, parent company Eli Lilly and Company from Indianapolis.

Clay County will be the first unit to receive one of 16 vehicles this grant provides. The balance of the vehicle fleet will be placed in eight divisions in Southern Territory. The other 15 units are scheduled to roll out after completion throughout 2025.

These vehicles not only expand and update The Salvation Army’s existing fleet but also contain innovative technologies, including a battery power system, GPS tracking, and onboard Starlink connectivity to enable teams to navigate and provide internet conductivity to survivors who might otherwise be unable to navigate online assistance systems.

Steven Hartsook, Florida Divisional EDS Director, is pleased to have the unit in hand before the peak of the 2024 hurricane season.

“This unit will add response capacity to Northeast Florida and be available to respond throughout Florida and the Southeast United States. We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Lilly Foundation to assist us in increasing our ability to serve disaster survivors.”

The Salvation Army annually helps more than 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through various social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operations around the country.

For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow the Salvation Army on Facebook, Instagram, X @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.