Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — As disaster relief operations are coming to a close in Goshen Township, Ohio, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has been called to set up operations to assist flood victims in eastern Kentucky. View the Baptist Press story on the flooding at www.tnbaptist.org.
In addition, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is sending $50,000 in disaster relief funds to Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the TBMB, sent a call out to volunteers on July 29. Eastern Kentucky was hit with yet another massive flooding event in Kentucky’s Appalachian region on July 28. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a state of emergency on the same day, calling the disaster “one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentucky’s history,” according to the Lexington Herald Leader.
Tennessee volunteers will be based at Montgomery Baptist Church in Carrie, Ky., Jones said. The team originally was to go to Emmalena, Ky., but was relocated because of continued rain with chance of additional flooding. The move also puts the teams closer to one of the hardest hit areas, said Jones, who traveled to Kentucky over the weekend.
“The destruction is more than pictures on the TV can really show,” Jones related “Please pray for those affected and those who will go and serve. It will be a long recovery for the people of that area,” he noted.
An incident command team, led by John and Kaye Thomas (who came from leading cleanup operations in Ohio) is on site along with a feeding team from Robertson County Baptist Association, Jones said. Shower and laundry trailer units are expected to arrive early this week along with flood recovery volunteers. Jones expects flood recovery to begin no later than Aug. 3.
Flood recovery teams will be needed as soon as possible. Volunteers who can put together a team are asked to notify Jones as soon as possible at wjones@tnbaptist.org as well as Elizabeth Holmes at eholmes@tnbaptist.org. Volunteers not associated with a team can send their name, email, phone number and availability to Jones and he will try to add them to a team that is going. For more information, call Jones at 712-253-4408.
Items for flood victims will be collected at the Missions Mobilization in Mount Juliet and God’s Warehouse in Morristown. Complete donation information can be found below.
Individuals interested in donating to disaster relief can visit the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief website and click on Kentucky flood relief. B&R
EMERGENCY DONATIONS FOR DISASTER RESPONSE
Many individuals and churches have called and asked what they can do to assist with the needs in times of need like we are now experiencing. Below are my suggestions for those who would like to help.
Cash and gift cards are the best way to help. Donate at http://tndisasterrelief.org/contributions/ or mailed to Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, PO Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068 earmarked for the specific disaster. Donations policy can be found on the www.tndisasterrelief.org page. Gift cards can be sent to the Missions Mobilization Center, 6434 John Hagar Rd., Mount Juliet, TN 37122. These are much easier to use to meet specific needs of a family.
However, we know that some want to help in a tangible way therefore, the following is a list of goods that will be accepted at the location below for transport to the affected areas. There are two lists attached. Many times in the immediate aftermath of an event, towns are flooded with immediate response items. I encourage you to look not just in the short term, but also the long term and the needs that arise when people are trying to set themselves up in new housing accommodations. Please consider long term needs and not just immediate needs. Please note we are NOT accepting any used clothing. We will however accept new clothing with labels attached and in original packaging.
Missions Mobilization Center
6434 John Hagar Road
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Call first.)
(615) 371-7926 or (615) 371-7927 to call before making a delivery.
Donations can also be dropped off at God’s Warehouse:
God’s Warehouse
3441 West Andrew Johnson Highway
Morristown, TN 37814
If you need to drop off at a time different to the operational hours, please reply to this email and we will make every effort to have someone available to accommodate your schedule.
Any questions should be directed to the MMC at 615-371-7926. Or email us at drelief@tnbaptist.org, wjones@tnbaptist.org , or eholmes@tnbaptist.org
You must call in advance to make sure someone will be present to receive the goods.
DISASTER LONGTERM RECOVERY DONATIONS
At the beginning of a disaster many people, churches, and organizations flock to meet the immediate need of those who have experienced a disaster. Often towns are overrun with donations and have to spend time and manpower finding places to put everything and them find people to manage the flow of goods. I would like for us to think a little longer term. Think about what people would need to go back in and set up a house. Think about when you moved into your first home or got married, what were the things that you needed to fill out your home? That said, I want to suggest the following types of new items for you to consider:
Kitchen Set-up kits
- Pots and Pan set
- Skillet
- Silverware set 4 or 8 place settings
- Dishes set 4 or 8 place settings
- Drinking Cups
- Coffee cups
- Knives
- Potato peeler
- Pizza cutter
- Spatulas
- Serving spoons/utensils
- Dish Towels
- Dish Cloths
- Potholders/glove
- Small hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Serving bowls
- Pyrex dishes
- Storage dishes for Refrigerator
- Coffee maker???
- Cookie sheets
- Pizza sheet
- Can opener
Bath Essentials
- Bath Towel, Hand Towel and Washcloth sets.
- Bathmat sets
Bedroom Essentials
- Sheet sets
- King
- Queen
- Double
- Single
- Blankets
- Comforter Sets
- Wall clocks
Clothing – No Used Clothing
- New Underwear and bras- All sizes in original package.
- New Socks in all sizes
- New shoes, sneakers, slippers and sandals
- New Adult clothing
- New Baby clothing
- New Children’s Clothing
Misc.
- Gift cards
We will not accept used clothing.
EMERGENCY IMMERDIATE AFTERMATH DONATIONS OF GOODS
“Immediate Aftermath” items are usually needed in the weeks to a Month after a storm, after that please focus on the “Long Term” needs as people try and set up their homes again.
Immediate Aftermath
Clean up Supplies
- Box knives
- Hammers
- Flat pry bars
- Flat shovels
- Tyvek suits
- Wheelbarrows
- Rubber gloves
- Floor squeegees
- Wheelbarrows
- Large heavy-duty garbage bags
- Hoses
- Mosquito repellent
- Cleaning supplies
- Mops, brooms, buckets, squeegees
- Scoop shovels, rakes
- Safety glasses
- Leather gloves
- Long rubber gloves
- Mechanic type gloves
- Box knives
- Small scrub brushes
- Box fans
- Scoop shovels
- Push brooms
Paper Products
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
Personal Care Items
- Laundry detergent, fabric softener
- Dryer sheets
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap
- Deodorant, anti-perspirant
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby wipes
- Diapers
- Adult diapers
- Suntan Lotion SPF 30 or higher
- New hairbrushes
Perishable Items
- Baby formula/baby – Must be within date
- Gatorade/Powerade
- Individually wrapped snack foods with long-shelf life (no expired food)
- Food with long shelf life (no expired food)
Clothing
- Clothing – No Used Clothing
- New Underwear and bras- All sizes in original package.
- New Socks in all sizes
- New shoes, sneakers, and sandals
- New Adult clothing
- New Baby clothing
- New Children’s Clothing
Misc.
- Gift cards
All perishable items must be within the date and not expired.
We will not accept used clothing.