EOC Assists in Alabama
Seven members of East Ohio’s Early Response Team recently returned from Hackleburg, Alabama. The team used its specialized training to bring a Christian presence to one of the areas hardest hit by the recent tornadoes. The team reports that the situation in Alabama remains dire but crews are making some progress. Using the skills learned in Early Response training, the team put down their tools and listened to those whose lives were forever changed by the storms. The Early Response Team had an impact on everyone in Hackleburg. When they checked in at the command post the first day the woman working the table saw their badges, she said "UMCOR is here." She stated that we are well trained, she could send us out with confidence and we wouldn't even need the safety talk. That says a lot about UMCOR's reputation. We are thankful to the East Ohio Disaster Response Committee and ERT trainers that allow persons to serve in times of disasters. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Early Response Team, the next training session will be June 17th. Details can be found under the Resources category later in this issue of E-news.
Cleaning Buckets Needed
Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) shipped 1,500 UMCOR cleaning buckets to St. Louis, Missouri to be distributed to individuals who were affected by tornadoes and/or flooding. You can help restock the shelves by preparing and bringing cleaning buckets and health kits to conference. The truck from the Midwest Distribution Center will be located at the southwest corner of Hoover Auditorium on Sunday, from 12:00 noon until 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 14 for collection. The need is urgent!
Three Rivers District 2011 VIM to Nashville
Three Rivers District Volunteer In Mission (VIM) team of 25 persons from 6 churches went to Nashville, TN during the President's Day Weekend (February 17-22,2011). The team went to help rebuild homes that were damaged from the May 2010 flooding. Working with UMCOR and the TN UMC Conference Disaster recovery, the team was assigned to work on a home which we helped empty contents and demolition of floors and walls that were damaged from the flooding. Part of our team also worked on projects at the Camp Sycamore Creek where we stayed, one being a revitalization of a restroom facility. The camp is a site for housing many of the disaster teams and for inner city children during the summer. The team had a transforming experience along with the client home owner. We came away with sore muscles along with warmed hearts and souls.
