Disaster response in Virginia and beyond.

Down in the Gulf, there are roofs on houses that didn't have one and siding on exteriors that had been pierced by flying two-by-fours. There's new flooring in kitchens and caulking around windows. There are homes with new cabinets and people who have been given new hope--all because Wayne Garst sent out some letters and the 92 Church of the Brethren congregations that comprise Virlina District in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina responded.

Disaster relief doesn't just happen. It's a finely tuned orchestra of organizers like Garst and the Virlina District Office where Emma Jean Woodard provides staff leadership for disaster response. They are joined by project managers who serve for one month and volunteers who work for a week on a "recovery project" to help disaster victims who have no access to insurance. "I've given dozens of presentations over the 10 years I've been doing this," Garst says, "but it's not been difficult to recruit volunteers lately. Every time I go out, there's more interest."

After getting a call from Woodard, Garst has little problem filling up those weekly time slots she forwards from Roanoke. "All it takes is one member from a recovery group who comes back to the congregation on fire," he says. "That's enough."

Garst knows that his counterparts at other denominations in Virginia have made similar preparations. The Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief Services, for example, is ready to deliver meals, clean water, and emergency power. The Lutheran Disaster Response has scores of volunteers trained to help with clean up and rebuilding. The Methodists have a national and international hotline that can rally volunteers in an e-mail instant.

These and a host of others share membership in the Virginia Council of Churches (VCC). Although the VCC's member denominations have separate organizations, they are working together through a group called Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD. It's a national group that also has chapters at the state and regional levels, and helps a wide range of groups organize their efforts. Members include church and non-church organizations, such as the American Red Cross and various state and local emergency relief groups. Besides creating a network among volunteer groups, VOAD also establishes the link to state and federal emergency offices. The Virginia VOAD has about 60 member groups.

VOAD is "the organization that really facilitates our collaboration," says Jan Tobias, disaster response coordinator for Lutheran Family Services of Virginia. Through regular meetings the dozens of volunteer groups talk about what resources they can provide and make connections with each other. "It's an important linking organization," Tobias says. "You've got to have relationships established before a disaster comes."

(Excerpted from an article provided by the Virginia Council of Churches. David W. Miller of West Richmond Church of the Brethren is chair of the council's communications committee.)

Source: 10/11/2006 Newsline