Gathering for a conversation at Thursday’s event are, from left, ASP president and chief executive officer Melisa Winburn, DR volunteers John and Kaye Thomas, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief specialist Wes Jones and TBMB chief administrative officer William Maxwell. — Photos by David Dawson
HARTFORD — An ill-timed shower caused some last-minute rearranging to the festivities, but the rain did not wash away the spirit of celebration among those in attendance at Thursday’s outdoor gathering in Hartford.
The event, hosted by the Appalachia Service project, recognized — and rejoiced over — the tireless work efforts that have taken place in the Hartford area (and the surrounding communities) in the past 10 months since Hurricane Helene devastated much of the region. The ceremony also celebrated the breaking of ground for new homes to be built — and re-built — in the area.
The event brought together representatives from many of the groups that have played key roles in the recovery efforts, including ASP, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief, the Red Cross, and Tennessee’s branch of VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Other groups, including the East Tennessee Baptist Association, were also applauded for their contributions to the relief projects, which have been on-going for the past 10 months and will continue for many months to come.
“We knew this would be a multi-year project, but progress is being made every day,” said Chris Schroeder, ASP’s vice president of New Build and Disaster Recovery.
Chris Schroeder, vice president of ASP’s new build and disaster recovery, addresses the crowd.
Schroeder served as emcee of the gathering/celebration, which also included words of gratitude from Melisa Winburn, president and chief executive officer for ASP, and William Maxwell, chief administrative officer for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
The TBMB, which has placed special emphasis on recovery efforts in the region as part of the Arise and Build initiative, has worked together with ASP in building new homes since the hurricane.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the TBMB, attended the ceremony, along with DR volunteers John and Kaye Thomas, who have played a key role in the recovery efforts.
Wiburn said she is thankful for all the organizations that have joined forces to aid the recovery process.
“At ASP, we pick a new theme for every summer, and our theme for this summer has been ‘Be the Light,’ ” said Winburn. “Well, (in this situation) there have been some dark days for all of us, but I am so thankful for the light.”
Winburn said that light will continue to shine for the foreseeable future.
“We will be here as long as we are needed,” she said.
Schroeder noted that Thursday’s afternoon shower, which began just moments before the ceremony was scheduled to start, was befitting of the gathering.
“Mother Nature threw us a curveball today,” he said with a smile. “But this is really a microcosm of what we’ve dealt with for the past 10 months (in terms of) making adjustments as we go along.”
Winburn echoed that sentiment, saying that new projects and new needs are constantly popping up, much like mid-afternoon rain in Tennessee.
“It’s been a little bit like trying to build a train while it’s sailing down the tracks,” she said. “But together, we are making a difference.”
For more on the ceremony, see the July 30 print edition of the Baptist and Reflector. B&R — Donations to Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief can be made online at tndisasterrelief.org/contributions.
