FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are needed for response efforts in New England, Florida, Hawaii and a local project in Pikeville, Tenn., according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
In Florida, chain saw and tarping teams are needed through the end of October as volunteers continue to help those affected by the recent hurricane, Jones said.
“There are still many trees on houses and then when the tree is removed, the roof will need to be tarped,” Jones said. “If you have a team that can respond to this need, contact the DR office with the dates you would like to respond.”
Teams interested in going to Florida should contact Jones at wjones@tnbaptist.org; Garry Maddox at gmaddox@tnbaptist.org and Elizabeth Holmes at eholmes@tnbaptist.org.
Rebuild teams are also needed in New England which experienced heavy flooding several months ago, Jones added.
Wes Jones
“They are looking for rebuild teams to come and assist homeowners in repairing damaged homes, primarily in Vermont,” Jones said.
“Because North Carolina has a partnership with the New England states, North Carolina Disaster Relief is coordinating the projects,” he said.
Teams interested in helping in New England can get a project list by calling 1-800-395-5102, ext. 5607 or e-mailing mabernathy@ncbaptists.org.
DR teams trained in Ash Out have been requested to assist with Personal Property Recovery in Maui, HI. Teams of 5-6 are needed and need to plan on staying two weeks.
Teams need to have a Blue Hat and a Chaplain on the team. Teams will also have volunteers from Hawaii churches working with them.
Jones said teams need to contact the DR office in Mount Juliet with possible dates and team sizes. If the dates are flexible, he asked that team leaders provide the different date ranges.
He noted that housing is limited, and said for teams not to purchase any tickets until he has received official approval from the Hawaii state director.
In all three responses — New England, Hawaii and Florida — teams are encouraged to take a chaplain.
Jones said teams should not self-deploy to any of the out of state responses.
Jones requested prayer for the victims and the volunteers.
“We ask Tennessee Baptists to continue to pray for everyone affected by the recent natural disasters and for volunteers as they travel to share the love of Christ as they serve those whose homes have received major damage,” Jones said. “Pray also that our teams will have opportunities to share the gospel with those whom they come in contact with,” he added.
In addition, Lee Station Baptist Church in Pikeville is requesting volunteers to assist the church in remodeling a house to be used for the homeless. If interested in this project, contact Bill Wolfe, pastor of Lee Station, by e-mail at billwolfe64@gmail.com or 423-667-2287.
Jones also added that Tennessee Baptists can give financially for disaster relief by visiting tndisasterrelief.org/contributions/ and clicking on the Contributions button and selecting a specific designation or choosing general disaster relief. B&R
