We have a long way to go. The end is not in sight. Much work is to be done. That is the hard reality. But, the good news is we are getting started and our churches and from many other areas are responding beautifully.
Here is an update:
Our Baptists on Mission organization has now established their Disaster Relief Command Center at Crestview Baptist Church. You can direct people who have specific needs there. Also, that will be our base of operations for launching out into the community for work. I commend a number of our churches for already beginning to do mud out and clean up for their neighbors. It is going to be an ongoing need.
If you want to donate bottled water, dry goods--especially pre-packaged foods that do not require cooking, detergents, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, baby diapers, baby wipes, and new packaged undergarments and socks. PLEASE no other clothes items right now, as we have neither the storage space, nor time and people to sort them.
You can drop these off at the following locations:
Barberville is collecting donations Thursday-Saturday 9-5.
Pinnacle is collecting items today and tomorrow.
Woodland has a trailer where items can be dropped off most any time.
Haywood Baptist Associational Office is open this Friday, 9-2, and then Monday-Thursday 9-2 and will receive donations.
Crestview needs people to deliver meals on Saturday. Please call Sharon @648-1110.
Hearts with Hands is setting up at Bethel Baptist and needs volunteers to deliver food tomorrow after 4PM. Please contact Amy @648-4106.
The Orchard is forming mud clean up crews. Email jeller@theorchard.com.
David Francis, Haywood County Manager politely asked for faith based organizations to not work on houses today and tomorrow because insurance companies and FEMA need to assess the damage first. You are free as a church to do as you wish, of course, but we were asked to pass that info on.
If you want to give money, make the check out to Haywood Baptist Association and designate it as disaster relief. Gift cards are also a good option that can be distributed to people in need. If mailing these send to:
Haywood Baptist Association
228 Edwards Rd
Clyde, NC 28721
Thanks for all you are doing!
Dennis Thurman, Haywood AMS
