VAN NUYS : Salvation Army to Honor Quake Heroes

The Salvation Army will honor heroes of the Northridge earthquake and update Valley residents on services the organization provides during an upcoming open house at the San Fernando Valley Corps in Van Nuys.

“We really want everybody to come and see what we’ve been up to since the earthquake,” said Mildred Traeger, a spokeswoman for the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center.

Billed as a family event, the open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 and will feature food, music, games, door prizes and a photography exhibit of earthquake rescue efforts as well as a pictorial history of the Salvation Army.

A program honoring those who labored above the call of duty to help others during the earthquake will be held at 1 p.m.

Some of those the Salvation Army will recognize include: The Los Angeles Police Department and the California National Guard for providing security and distribution services; the Department of Water and Power and The Gas Co. for providing emergency repairs; McDonald’s, Lucky Food Centers and Ralphs Grocery stores for providing food and supplies to rescue workers; the American Red Cross for providing first aid, and Eddie Chu of Devonshire Mobile Car Care Center, who also provided food for those in need.

Traeger said she hopes the open house will spotlight services the Salvation Army provides to the public, including programs like the Adult Rehabilitation Center. The center is a comprehensive residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment center that can accommodate up to 86 adults free of charge. It serves the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

“It’s an incredible facility where people go who really want to help themselves get better,” Traeger said.