Disaster project close in Louisiana, open in Mississippi.

The Brethren Disaster Response program of the General Board has completed a Hurricane Rita clean-up project based in Roanoke, La., as of Dec. 17, 2005, and has moved a project repairing damage from Hurricane Katrina in southern Alabama across the state line to Mississippi.

During the two months that the project in the Lake Charles area of Louisiana was operating, more than 100 households received assistance with debris, tree removal, and roof tarping, reported Jane Yount, coordinator of Brethren Disaster Response. Volunteers Ed and Bonnie Bryan and Brethren Volunteer Service volunteers Jodi Eller and Joan and Phil Taylor headed up the effort with leadership from Roanoke Church of the Brethren and pastor James Balmer, and Lake Charles Community Church of the Brethren.

Brethren work teams accomplished much in the way of debris removal, roofing, and repairs in the area of Citronelle, Ala., since mid-September 2005. Over the weekend, the project moved to Mississippi, where the Brethren have been invited to assist with rebuilding and repair projects in George County. Volunteer housing is in the Crossroads Pentecostal Church parsonage outside of Lucedale, Yount reported. "The church is graciously providing this facility to us at no charge. We feel blessed by God's provision so that we can continue his work on behalf of those who have suffered loss," she said.

Another project continues in Pensacola, Fla., following Hurricane Ivan. "The Florida Panhandle was clobbered first by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, then by Hurricane Dennis in July 2005, affecting thousands of households in the poorest area of the state," Yount said. "We said we were in for the long haul, and that has proven to be true." The work in Florida consists mainly of repairs to water-damaged sections of homes, including drywall, floors, insulation, and siding.

At another continuing project in Belmont County, Ohio, since June 2005 volunteers have been doing repair work and completing rebuilding of homes damaged by flooding. Three additional rebuilds will be started after foundations are completed.

A training for new district disaster coordinators will be held at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., on April 24-26. "There has been quite a turnover in district disaster coordinators in the last year," said Yount, who reported that there are new coordinators in about ten districts. Any district disaster coordinator who has never been to a training will be invited. A conference for all district disaster coordinators and disaster project directors is planned for 2007.

Source: 1/18/2006 Newsline
top