RESPONDING TO WEDNESDAY’S TRAGIC CHAOS
Check here to see how you can help with relief efforts around the state of Alabama following the tragic destruction of the storms of April 27th.
*********New Hours Update**********
Restore will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8am to 4:30pm. If scheduled trucks come in, we will be flexible and open long enough to receive those donations. We cannot thank our tireless volunteers enough for all their work, it has been incredible. We still have a long way to go, and it would be wonderful if new folks began to plug in to give some relief to the “regulars!” Please prayerfully consider being a part of our warehouse efforts.
*********Friday May 20th Update**********
Over the next week, we will begin limiting the hours of the Restore warehouse as well as the days we send out volunteers. An easy way to check if someone is working at the warehouse is to call Restore directly: 620-2266. You can give an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day! Make sure and sign in at the front door so that we can keep an accurate count of volunteer hours.
*********Wednesday May 11th Update**********
**THINGS NEEDED MOST**
CANNED GOODS
TOILETRIES (unopened)
Restore will be open from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Saturday for donations and volunteers. Friday, there will be free childcare from 1-5pm at Restore for parents who would like to help out in the back sorting clothes and supplies. We are trying to make it as easy as possible for folks to volunteer. A group of mothers is also assembling some volunteer childcare workers for the summer so that there would be future opportunities for parents to help out with relief efforts.
We will continue to meet at 8am every morning Monday-Saturday to assemble work crews to go out into the field. You should wear pants, sturdy shoes, bring a lunch, work gloves, and any tools you feel confident using. The volunteer response has been simply overwhelming. Thanks for all that you are doing to help show compassion and mercy to the survivors of the April 27 storms!
Teams are being sent to St. Andrews UMC in Cullman every day of this week, and there are also opportunities for folks to work at Pleasant Grove UMC. A trained volunteer needs to be on each team, but untrained folks are now welcome to take part in relief efforts. Team members must be very adaptable, as the needs on the ground are constantly changing. You may show up and have work to do, you may show up and sit around for an hour.
*********Sunday May 1st Evening Update**********
Everyone is welcomed to come to Restore during any of the times listed below. You do not need permission. If we expand the times, we will let you know. There may be times where it is non-stop action. And there may be times where you all get a chance to find out a lot about each other as you wait. Thank God for both. If you’d like to bring refreshments or snacks, prepare to be very popular with your co-workers.
The current scheduled times are:
Sunday – 5pm to 7pm
Monday – 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 6pm
Wednesday – 1pm to 6pm
Saturday – 9am to 5pm.
Just a heads up. Wear comfortable clothing. While it doens’t get stifling hot, there is no A/C in the back. You’ll probably want to avoid flip-flops. Also, there are five or six coolers sitting in the warehouse area, just to the left of the double doors. Perfect for ice and cold drinks. (Ice can be purchased from our neighbors at Rite Aid.)
ST. ANDREWS – CULLMAN, AL
I met with Rev. Jonathan Todd from St. Andrews today. Their church building received minor damage and they are serving as a staging area for relief work in the Cullman County area. They are currenlty feeding 400+ people a day as well as receiving and organizing donations. He asked if I knew where he could get some volunteers. I assured him that I did.
He is looking for teams of 5 people from 9a-5p for at least this week through Saturday, and possibly in the weeks to come. He was very particular about keeping it to 5 person teams. These 5 people do not have to have any formal emergency response training. They will be assisiting with donations, and possibly with serving food. Our youth group is gathering supplies for cooking (charcoal, lighter fluid) that we will deliver later this week. Also, our volunteers will need to make contact with Rev. Todd or someone from St. Andrews to find out what donations they need. Communication is still spotty in the Cullman area. Find out what they need, and let me know so that I can pass the info along. Most likely, we will be using our 5 person teams to take donations up to Cullman once we know what they need.
If you would like to make the trip to Cullman, let me know ASAP what day you are available. You can email me at srbenefield@hotmail.com or call 908-8918. I’ll let you know whether there is a spot open. Your guess is as good as mine how long it will take to get there in light of the damage, morning rush-hour, and road construction. I would suggest the first group meet at the church at 7:30am, and we’ll gauge future departure times off of their experience. I realize this may be too late to get a group together for Monday. They will still be there Tuesday.
St. Andrews is located at 615 Main Ave SW, Cullman AL, 35055.
LAKEVIEW UMC – PELHAM, AL
Lakeview UMC in Pelham is planning on feeding 500+ people in the Pratt City area this Monday. They need donations of hot dogs, buns, & canned drinks. Volunteers are needed around lunchtime to organize/prepare the donations and to go into Pratt City to serve food. They plan to leave at 4PM. Lakeview is located at 5154 Highway 11 in Pelham. If you are interested, let me know or contact Lori Theodoras: ltheodoras@lakeviewpumc.org / 663-3309 / 807-4945
***********Saturday April 30th UPDATE*************
We have received word that the following items are urgent needs right now:
Condiments
Gallons of Uncooked Vegetables (corn, beans, tec…)
Paper Products
Bottled Water
Tarps
Diapers
Baby Wipes
First Aid Kits
You can bring these items with you to church on Sunday, or call the church office (205+663-0509) to schedule a drop-off. In coming days, we will need volunteers to transport these items into the disaster area, and we will also be coordinating “untrained” volunteer teams to go into the lesser affected areas to help with tree and limb removal, etc. Pastor Stephen will be coordinating these efforts, so if you would like to help, email him at srbenefield@hotmail.com.
****************************************************
I know that we are all concerned for our neighbors across the state and Southeast who have been directly affected by yesterday’s horrific weather. I know that many within our congregation have dear friends and family throughout the affected areas, and we join the many who are already lifting up the victims in prayer. This is truly a dark and desperate time in the life of our state.
As Christians, we are called on to respond to these moments of desperation with hope and compassion. I have been in contact with pastors in Tuscaloosa and Cullman, and we will be assembling response teams as soon as they are ready to receive us. Our Associate Pastor of Outreach, Stephen Benefield, will be coordinating these efforts for us, and we will be in touch soon with ways you can help alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters around Alabama. Updated information regarding our Methodist congregations can be found online at: http://www.northalabamaumc.org/news/detail/876
If you would like to donate to the relief efforts, I encourage you to give to Red Cross or UMCOR the Methodist Committee on Relief. Every dime given to UMCOR goes in full to those affected. Through our regular offerings, all administrative costs are already covered, which means you can be assured that your special gifts have the greatest impact on the victims of this tragedy. You can give online at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/, or simply put a check in the offering plate on Sunday with “UMCOR” in the subject line.
If you would rather donate supplies, bring bottled water, diapers, non-perishable food items, or any of the items mentioned in the “Flood Bucket” description here: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/flood-bucket/
Drop off times for relief supplies at Restore
Monday 9-11 am
Wednesday 2-4 pm
Friday 9-11 am
Sunday 5-6 pm
Our communion offering for Sunday, May 1st will go towards tornado victims. Come worship this Sunday at one of our three services: 8:30 (Contemporary at Restore), 11:00am (Traditional in the Sanctuary), or 5:00pm (Rock n’ Roll at Restore).
Be in prayer for those who have lost homes, businesses, loved ones, and their hope. And may God transform our prayer into action, so that even in these dark times, people would see the light of Christ.
With peace that passes understanding,
Brian
