The Peoria Salvation Army is honoring groups and individuals for their relief efforts following the November 17th tornado. The recognition was part of the Salvation Army’s annual Community Luncheon. Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington was honored for housing Salvation Army recovery efforts. Evie Diaz is the division commander for the Salvation Army Heartland Division. She says the luncheon honors different kinds of recovery:
“People who showed up on the first day and said ‘what can I do’ and they turned into cooks and cleaners and all kinds of practical help for us. There are people who also came alongside and prayed with people and just offered a hug. But long-term, especially Crossroads Church who has opened their place to us for us to able to do this long-term recovery,” Diaz says.
More than 300 people attended the luncheon, which also featured comments from former Caterpillar CEO Don Fites. The Salvation Army recognized Stan Cohen and Nikki Hudson for running food operations following the tornado. The group also honored the Peoria Area Association of Realtors for their support of disaster relief.