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Herkimer, N.Y. —
During the shooting and standoff with police in Herkimer, the nearby Salvation Army Community Center opened its doors to the community for their normal Wednesday evening soup kitchen and sheltered evacuees, said Captain Jon-Erik and Lieutenant Jessica Berkhoudt of the Herkimer Salvation Army.
“At first, our center was on lockdown since we are located one block away from the standoff on Main Street. The police had evacuated all businesses and homes on Main Street, and those people had nowhere to go, they were walking the streets or gathering at Wal-Mart or Dunkin’ Donuts. A shelter was set up at Herkimer County Community College, but many of the neighborhood residents don’t have cars to get to the shelter. We received permission to open in the afternoon to provide a place for them to be warm and safe. We were in contact with the mayor and first responders came in for coffee and water during the afternoon and evening,” said Lt. Berkhoudt.
“We served 68 meals to displaced residents. As we visited each table during dinner, we invited them to stay at our center if they could not return home. We had 23 adults and seven children in our center for the evening. We were happy to provide a hot meal, a safe location and comfort our neighbors,” said Capt. Berkhoudt.
“Herkimer is a small community and something like this has such a ripple effect in the community; everyone is affected by this, we all know the businesses, and the car wash is the only one in town. Many are feeling afraid and unsafe. In the evening, the kids couldn’t settle down, so we involved them with activities and games. We mourn the victims and families, but we were comforted by God’s presence, grace and mercy,” said Lt. Berkhoudt.
“At about 11:30 pm, police arrived and told everyone they had to move to the shelter at the community college. According to the police, they were being moved to the college for safety reasons,” she added.
Captain Evelyn Hopping from the Oneonta Salvation Army assisted the Berkhoudts with feeding and sheltering area residents.
Lt. Berkhoudt thanked community volunteers who cooked all evening, Wal-Mart for donating pillows and blankets for the children and Dunkin’ Donuts for donating coffee and doughnuts.
“While the initial incident has passed, The Salvation Army will continue to assist those affected by this tragedy,” he said.
The Salvation Army Community Center is at 431 Prospect St. and The Salvation Army officers can be reached at 866-1240.
As part of its emergency disaster services, The Salvation Army helps to meet the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of disaster victims.
During the shooting and standoff with police in Herkimer, the nearby Salvation Army Community Center opened its doors to the community for their normal Wednesday evening soup kitchen and sheltered evacuees, said Captain Jon-Erik and Lieutenant Jessica Berkhoudt of the Herkimer Salvation Army.
“At first, our center was on lockdown since we are located one block away from the standoff on Main Street. The police had evacuated all businesses and homes on Main Street, and those people had nowhere to go, they were walking the streets or gathering at Wal-Mart or Dunkin’ Donuts. A shelter was set up at Herkimer County Community College, but many of the neighborhood residents don’t have cars to get to the shelter. We received permission to open in the afternoon to provide a place for them to be warm and safe. We were in contact with the mayor and first responders came in for coffee and water during the afternoon and evening,” said Lt. Berkhoudt.
“We served 68 meals to displaced residents. As we visited each table during dinner, we invited them to stay at our center if they could not return home. We had 23 adults and seven children in our center for the evening. We were happy to provide a hot meal, a safe location and comfort our neighbors,” said Capt. Berkhoudt.
“Herkimer is a small community and something like this has such a ripple effect in the community; everyone is affected by this, we all know the businesses, and the car wash is the only one in town. Many are feeling afraid and unsafe. In the evening, the kids couldn’t settle down, so we involved them with activities and games. We mourn the victims and families, but we were comforted by God’s presence, grace and mercy,” said Lt. Berkhoudt.
“At about 11:30 pm, police arrived and told everyone they had to move to the shelter at the community college. According to the police, they were being moved to the college for safety reasons,” she added.
Captain Evelyn Hopping from the Oneonta Salvation Army assisted the Berkhoudts with feeding and sheltering area residents.
Lt. Berkhoudt thanked community volunteers who cooked all evening, Wal-Mart for donating pillows and blankets for the children and Dunkin’ Donuts for donating coffee and doughnuts.
“While the initial incident has passed, The Salvation Army will continue to assist those affected by this tragedy,” he said.
The Salvation Army Community Center is at 431 Prospect St. and The Salvation Army officers can be reached at 866-1240.
As part of its emergency disaster services, The Salvation Army helps to meet the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of disaster victims.
