Tennessee Tornado Relief -- Feb. 2008

Hey!  Thanks again for the prayers!  Today has been long, but productive.  I was finally able to get out and see some of the damage.  It truly is devastating.  However, seeing all of the devastation and knowing that not one person in Jackson has died truly shows that God does exist!!  It is nothing short of a miracle.  My grandparent's house is unbelievable.  I just cannot believe that they are both alive!  Today we were productive enough to find them a rental home, and will begin moving them in this weekend.  We are hoping to find them some furniture tomorrow.  They are pretty emotional, but are making it.

I was not able to get onto Union University's campus, but I could see it from a distance.  I have heard numerous horror stories from friends and family members that were on campus and they must have all been surrounded by angels.  I think there are 1100 students displaced, and most of them lost all of their belongings.  This is tough for a college student, as they usually take all of their favorite things with them to their dorm room!  Also, almost every car on campus was demolished.  The community has stepped up and provided temporary housing for these students.  Their classes are cancelled for at least a couple of weeks.  Many of them went home, but some of them have chosen to stay here and live with friends or church members.  They are asking for volunteers to house students more permanently throughout the semester when classes start back.  This community comes together well, so hopefully there will not be a problem finding enough housing. 

Here is a message sent from the Memphis Conference Disaster Relief Team: MEMPHIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE-- DISASTER RELIEF HOTLINE For all inquiries... including requests for assistance and/or offers to provide assistance. Please call this number beginning Monday, Feb. 11. Call: 1-877-664-2204 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.) Sack lunches will be needed after Wednesday, Feb. 13. Please call Disaster Hotline to offer assistance through volunteers or teams and to request assistance if needed. Bishop Richard Wills has authorized a disaster relief appeal. You may send your donations through your local United Methodist congregation. DONATIONS: Memphis Conference Disaster Relief, 24 Corporate Blvd., Jackson, Tennessee 38305-2315. ** In Jackson/Madison County, 577 Homes damaged or destroyed... approximately 100 businesses.
Thanks again for all of the prayers!!
Katie

HIllcrest umc provides donation site for tornado victims this Saturday

Below find a list of SPECIFIC items Hillcrest UMC is collecting to send to Bethpage UMC for distribution in Sumner, Macon, and Trousdale Counties. PLEASE ONLY BRING ITEMS LISTED because those are the ones that have been requested and there may not be a way to store or distribute other items. Items needed can change day to day, so look to http://theresp onder.blogspot.com for the lastest information on needs and ways to volunteer.
HillCrest UMC (615-832-0157) Nashville, TN, February 7, 2008: Hillcrest United Methodist Church, located at 5112 Raywood Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, will provide a local donation collection site for the victims of the recent tornados. Items will be received on Saturday, February 9th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church. At one o'clock, the tractor trailers will depart for Bethpage United Methodist Church for drop-off.
The following are needed: bottled sports drinks, juices, peanut butter, snack crackers, bread, chips, snack cakes, powdered milk, paper products, canned goods, fruit, diapers, clothing, baby formula, blankets, flashlights, lanterns, generators, toiletries, first aid supplies, water, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and feminine hygiene products.

This article on the conference Responder blogsite CLICK HERE

By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Feb. 7, 2008 | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)

Justus Penka, a member of Dover (Ark.) United Methodist Church, helps clear away fallen trees in Atkins, Ark.
A UMNS photo by Bill Reeder.

United Methodists are helping communities in four states recover from a series of tornadoes that killed at least 57 people in one night.

A rare midwinter storm spawned the tornadoes that struck the U.S. South Feb. 5, flattening homes and businesses. Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky all suffered fatalities, with Tennessee experiencing the highest death toll at 32, according to news reports.

Bethpage (Tenn.) United Methodist Church is collecting donations to help pay for the funeral of a young mother, Karey Beth Stowell, whose infant was ripped from her arms during the deadly rampage. The infant was found and taken to the hospital and is doing well, according to the Rev. James R. Hewgley. Another family in his congregation lost grandparents in the storm.

Read more--

Tornado Cleanup This Weekend -- Volunteers & Donations Needed

Gallatin City Hall Parking Lot
Saturday & Sunday
Arrive between 8am & 10am
Email info@gallatintn.org to sign up
At the request of the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency, the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing tornado clean-up this weekend.
To participate, contact the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce via email at info@gallatintn.org or call (615) 452-4000.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Gallatin City Hall parking lot between 8am and 10am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. From there, teams will be dispatched to assigned clean-up areas.
Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. If available, they should bring gloves, rakes, shovels, etc. These items will also be available on- site, but any extras are appreciated. PLEASE BRING BOTTLED WATER. Lunch will be provided at Cragfont Baptist Church.
Please call the Chamber by 4pm on Friday to put your name on the list to participate. Groups are welcome and will be able to work together.
Volunteers should be prepared to work a minimum of four hours. Teenagers may work with supervising adults.

Request for volunteers included on the Responder blogsite CLICK HERE

Message from Lafayette UMC Pastor Michael Welch

I have been in contact with some of the persons responsible for the disaster response here in Lafayette. Today the community is in the process of discerning what is needed, and in what order. It is not possible to rush this process, even though there are so many persons who want to help. Please be patient and work through established channels or offers of help can become distractions for those who are trying to coordinate relief efforts.
To cite just one example of the need to be responsible: Lafayette Mayor Bill Wells, a member of Lafayette UMC, told me this morning that private parties using heavy equipment, and in a rush to help, are in danger of destroying infrastructure, such as gas and electrical connnections, that will have to be replaced at the eity's expense. This, at a time when the city is facing a fiscal challenge with things as they are.
We are grateful for any and all help. We just need persons to make sure that they are helping in the most effective and constructive ways possible, and at the best time.
Blessings,
Michael Welch

2/7/2008

Brief Update on Tennessee Conference response to the storm damage of February 5th

We are checking on churches, members, and communities in the following Tennessee counties: Hardin, Hickman, Williamson, Sumner, Macon, and Trousdale. UMCOR assistance of funds, equipment, supplies, and consultation has been offered if needed. Cumberland District has provided food, water, and persons trained for spiritual/emotional care in disasters. Bethpage UMC has been a point of collection for certain items needed for immediate care. Lafayette UMC has been set up for families to come who are missing family members. TN Conference has provided health (hygiene) kits to Red Cross, as well as, flood buckets (clean-up materials), health kits, and 2 generators for use by Lafayette UMC and Hartsville UMC.

Conference and District disaster response and recovery personnel will be doing more assessments in Pulaski, Columbia, and Cumberland Districts today (Thursday)
Grace and Peace
Rev. Jason Brock
Mercy, Mission, and Justice
TN Conference of the United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-329-1177
JBrock@tnumc.org

Thanks so much for checking in and especially for the prayers!  Things are stressful now in the beginnings of the clean up process.  It was overwhelming this morning when the sun came up and everyone could finally see how much damage had occurred.  My grandparent's house is completely destroyed and there had to have been angels surrounding them to keep them alive through the storm.  My aunt and uncle's house has significant damage, but they think they will be able to live in one wing of the house while they repair the damage.  It is hard and frustrating to have to deal with, but we will get it all taken care of.  We are all just so thankful that no one was hurt.  The whole Jackson community has been greatly affected.  I'm not sure yet of what the needs are, but I will let you know when I find anything out.  I am heading that way this afternoon to do what I can to help.  Thanks again.