DRT is deploying a 1st Response Coordinating Team to Joplin, MO. A relief effort will be set up working with the Mt. Hope Church in Joplin.
To volunteer in any of these areas, please register on the DRT website. http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/
Donations are greatly needed as well to help continue helping those in such need following disasters. Tax deductible donations can be made online at the above DRT website or can be sent by postal mail to:
CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM
810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA 32904
DRT will also be continuing the relief efforts currently established in the Tuscaloosa, AL area as well as continuing to help the Muscle Shoals area as needed to reach out to several surrounding communities.
Below is an excerpt of an update from one of our coordinators, Harry Mansfield. Harry's daughter and son-in-law live very near to the destruction in Joplin as well as Harry's son-in-law being part of the EMS that was called into Joplin.
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We just got off the phone with my daughter.
The hospital you see in the pictures from Weather Channel is in the southwest part of the city and is aprox 3-4 miles from Range Line the main commercial north-south street where the Wal-mart, Home Depot and Sports Authority stores were hit. The area bettween those locations is heavily residential.
The tornado continued on through more residential areas after crossing Range Line (If you look on a map Range Line may be listed as Bus 71.) I worked quite a bit in Joplin in the 80's and Denise lives 40 miles west of the city and we estimate that appox 25-30% of the city was destroyed. Also, Denise's husband is a Firefighter and Emergancy Management Specilist and has been deployed to Joplin. He says they are requesting a large number of body bags. The stores that were demolished are usually heavily occupied on a Sunday afternoon. There was very little or no warrning given on the appoach of this tornado, and the people in those stores were unable to get out. The original medical emergency center that was setup has been over run and two additional centers have been setup in schools. The Joplin metro area has an estimated population of 80,000 to 100,000. Jasper Co. MO has a total population of 117,000 with most of that in the Joplin vacinity. Also many of the cell phone towers are down and most of the land line commuincation in Joplin is out, so making phone contact is nearly impossible. Denise will keep me updated as she gets more info.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
DRT volunteers are out cutting trees, taking generators to those without electric and checking on members of local churches and community.
I know many of you would like to help in your own communities so I'm listing just a few suggestions to help get you started after this winter storm.
1. Get in touch family members, friends, neighbors, especially the elderly to check on any needs they have. Remember.... phone lines are down many times so you might need to physically check on them. Also especially when calling those that are elderly...do not just assume that they aren't home if they don't answer. Its a good idea to physically check on them.
2. Get a group of volunteers to help with cutting downed trees, shoveling sidewalks and drives, putting down salt, etc. of those in your church family, etc. from there help the surrounding neighbors. **It is VERY important to get the homeowners permission BEFORE cutting or moving any trees, limbs, etc.**
3. Fix finger foods, desserts, etc. to take to the local fire departments, etc. During times like these they are usually working so many hours without time to grab something to eat.
If you live near an airport that has had many cancelled flights, you can check with the airport to see about bringing the same types of foods in for the travellers that are stranded. Many of them hadn't planned for this and are there with no extra money to buy food.
Be creative... there are many ways to reach out into your community to share the Love of Jesus by your good works.
If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment...
I know many of you would like to help in your own communities so I'm listing just a few suggestions to help get you started after this winter storm.
1. Get in touch family members, friends, neighbors, especially the elderly to check on any needs they have. Remember.... phone lines are down many times so you might need to physically check on them. Also especially when calling those that are elderly...do not just assume that they aren't home if they don't answer. Its a good idea to physically check on them.
2. Get a group of volunteers to help with cutting downed trees, shoveling sidewalks and drives, putting down salt, etc. of those in your church family, etc. from there help the surrounding neighbors. **It is VERY important to get the homeowners permission BEFORE cutting or moving any trees, limbs, etc.**
3. Fix finger foods, desserts, etc. to take to the local fire departments, etc. During times like these they are usually working so many hours without time to grab something to eat.
If you live near an airport that has had many cancelled flights, you can check with the airport to see about bringing the same types of foods in for the travellers that are stranded. Many of them hadn't planned for this and are there with no extra money to buy food.
Be creative... there are many ways to reach out into your community to share the Love of Jesus by your good works.
If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment...
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
YES.... 1 person... (YOU) can make a difference....
As calls are being made by DRT to locate areas in need of assistance following this major winter storm we are hearing comments that concern me. One of the replies we're hearing when asking the question to churches, etc. if all their members are ok and if they all have electric is "I think so, I haven't heard from anyone needing help".
PLEASE..... don't wait on people to call you... I'm encouraging all of you... if you live in an area with power outages, PLEASE check on your family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. PLEASE don't count on someone else doing it or wait on them to call you. In these extreme cold temperatures... with no heat... YOU can literally be the difference between life and death for someone. As you do this, please encourage everyone else you know to do the same.
DRT is ready with generators, chain saws, volunteers, etc. for areas in need of assistance. If you live in an area or know of areas needing help please contact us.
We are so thankful to those of you who have stepped up to help with this storm by volunteering or donating funds we are so encouraged by you. If you haven't helped yet, it is not to late.....
As calls are being made by DRT to locate areas in need of assistance following this major winter storm we are hearing comments that concern me. One of the replies we're hearing when asking the question to churches, etc. if all their members are ok and if they all have electric is "I think so, I haven't heard from anyone needing help".
PLEASE..... don't wait on people to call you... I'm encouraging all of you... if you live in an area with power outages, PLEASE check on your family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. PLEASE don't count on someone else doing it or wait on them to call you. In these extreme cold temperatures... with no heat... YOU can literally be the difference between life and death for someone. As you do this, please encourage everyone else you know to do the same.
DRT is ready with generators, chain saws, volunteers, etc. for areas in need of assistance. If you live in an area or know of areas needing help please contact us.
We are so thankful to those of you who have stepped up to help with this storm by volunteering or donating funds we are so encouraged by you. If you haven't helped yet, it is not to late.....
Monday, January 31, 2011
MAJOR WINTER STORM
It's a busy week as DRT prepares for the major winter storm headed across the U.S.
Coordinators have been contacted and put on standby.... trailers have been loaded with the equipment, tools and supplies necessary to provide the assistance needed for winter storm assistance ....It is estimated that over 100,000,000 (YES.... ONE HUNDRED MILLION) people will be affected by this storm. Currently 30 states have winter storm watches and warnings associated with this storm.
There will be many power outages in areas with extremely cold temperatures. I've been in touch this morning with several elderly people who are so worried about losing power and not having heat, etc. With this much snow and ice predicted this will surely be the case. The DRT trailers are stocked with chain saws, generators, blankets, food, etc. However, with the economic times the way they are DRT funding is down considerably and DRT NEEDS YOUR HELP..... We are making an urgent plea for your help.
Donations can be made through PayPal on the DRT website or by postal mail to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
Coordinators have been contacted and put on standby.... trailers have been loaded with the equipment, tools and supplies necessary to provide the assistance needed for winter storm assistance ....It is estimated that over 100,000,000 (YES.... ONE HUNDRED MILLION) people will be affected by this storm. Currently 30 states have winter storm watches and warnings associated with this storm.
There will be many power outages in areas with extremely cold temperatures. I've been in touch this morning with several elderly people who are so worried about losing power and not having heat, etc. With this much snow and ice predicted this will surely be the case. The DRT trailers are stocked with chain saws, generators, blankets, food, etc. However, with the economic times the way they are DRT funding is down considerably and DRT NEEDS YOUR HELP..... We are making an urgent plea for your help.
Donations can be made through PayPal on the DRT website or by postal mail to:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
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