OCU Joins Disaster Relief Efforts in Dayton

On Memorial Day evening an EF4 tornado tore through the Dayton, Ohio region, leaving a path of destruction and debris behind. In the days following the disaster, many agencies rushed in to provide relief. The Salvation Army is one such group providing relief.

Dr. Thad Hicks, Director of Emergency and Disaster Management at Ohio Christian University (OCU), and Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director for the Salvation Army in SW Ohio and NE Kentucky, has led volunteers consisting of student, faculty, and administration members, serving those in need as they continue helping victims affected by the disaster. Among those from OCU who assisted with the Salvation Army efforts were Dr. Jon Kulaga (President of OCU), and his wife, Lena, Professor Sean Lovell, and students Cayla Allen (‘20), Logan Ashcraft (‘19), Cassandra Dencher (’19), Chelsi Mason (’19), Lauren Ray (’18), and D’Lani Rinehart (‘19).

Reflecting on his experience in Dayton, Kulaga said, “It was great to be on the ground and see the difficult and important work that the Salvation Army is doing in the Dayton area after the wave of tornadoes that came through Memorial Day evening.  I couldn’t be prouder to know that one of our faculty, Dr. Thad Hicks, and several of our students are collaborating with such a great organization like the Salvation Army to serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people of Dayton.”

To find out more about the work The Salvation Army is doing in Dayton and beyond, visit their website.