FRANKLIN — Some Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams are already in action (see story HERE), but more are needed in the efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, sent out an email Saturday morning, asking that all TBDR teams and volunteers be on standby.
“East Tennessee has been hit hard,” Jones said in the email. “The worst damage is from Newport to Bristol with major flooding and wind damage. Local teams are already responding, but we will need teams to respond for some time to come.”
Jones said he is looking at two or three possible sites to work from in the Elizabethton, Unicoi County or Newport areas.
Once the locations are selected, Jones said he will need:
- Two or three IMT teams to run the operations
- Two or three feeding teams comprised of three to five people
- Assessors at each location
- Flood recovery teams
- Chain saw teams
- Chaplains
Jones noted that shower and laundry teams might also be needed, depending on other variables.
Jones said the locations of the work sites will be selected over the next couple of days.
He asked volunteers to “look at (their) schedules, contact team members or unit directors and begin to plan your availability.”
Jones added that this will be “a long-term event. I do not see it being over in a few weeks,” he said. “Please think long-term and possibly multiple trips with your teams.”
Those who are available to serve should contact Jones (wjones@tnbaptist.org), Garry Maddox (gmaddox@tnbaptist.org) or Elizabeth Holmes (eholmes@tnbaptist.org) and let them know your unit type and when you are available to come. Once a team has committed to serve, details will be sent, Jones said.
“Please bring a chaplain with your team,” Jones added. “If you need a chaplain, please let us know.”
Donations to Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief can be made online at tndisasterrelief.org/contributions. Click the “Hurricane Fund” option. B&R
