Mission: Huntsville - Area Relief Efforts
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The following information is compiled from a variety of commmunity, state, and federal resources in an effort to provide a clearing house location for information as it becomes available. Please let us know of other resources, sites, or information that would be helpful to include (Email relief@MissionHuntsville.org). Thank you!


Church Hurricane Relief Mobilization - Churches of the Valley Uniting in Disaster Relief!

Content Summary

Content Link Brief Description
Update from Area-Wide Church Task Force Chairman  
Tennessee Valley Hurricane Relief Central Resource Database for Churches of the Valley!
    Instructions for Use     Instructions for Use of this Central Resource
    Central Resource Site     Central Resource Web Site and Links
    Critical Information for Evacuees     General Information Needed by EVERY Evacuee
Hurricane Relief Resource Fair Hosted by Church Disaster Relief Task Force at VBC
Manna House Disaster Relief Cooperative Church Effort to Feed and House Evacuees
Additional Information for Churches of the Valley Highlights of Some Area Information Circulated
Area Focus - Pearlington, MS Local Help and Information in Relief Efforts
Tennessee Valley Community Resources Some City and Community Agency Relief Resources
Expanded List of Resources from Senator Sessions Office Variety of Local, State, and National Resources

Update from Area-Wide Church Task Force Chairman

An update from Bob Sloan - Chairman, Tennessee Valley Hurricane Relief Task Force:

Tennessee Valley Hurricane Relief
Local Church Mobilization

Christian churches in the Tennessee Valley have responded in an unprecedented cooperative outreach to victims of recent hurricanes, both locally and along the Gulf coast. A task force of area churches has developed a website (www.TNValleyHurricaneRelief.com) where local churches can register their commitment to support relief efforts, and where they can learn of needs posted by others. Information helpful to evacuees in finding sources of short-term assistance is also provided on the website. Additionally, in order to help local churches identify the needs of local evacuees, the task force is planning an area-wide “Resource Fair” to help local evacuees and local churches and non-profit relief agencies make contact.

The website (www.TNValleyHurricaneRelief.com) is intended to be a long-term resource for coordinating work between area churches. Local churches are asked to register on the website using the authorization “jointhecause”. In addition to the many distributed tasks that each local congregation performs independently, seven cooperative tasks are identified on the website, and churches are asked to identify points of contact for all tasks in which they desire to participate. These interchurch contacts will become a task-oriented network capable of responding to needs in a coordinated fashion on an area-wide basis. Furthermore, with the website as a clearinghouse for needs and resources, duplicated efforts will be minimized, with less chance of overlooking other needs. An added benefit of using the website will be the opportunity for any local church to find an entry point for each of the shared tasks. Finally, the website provides a centralized place for anyone to post disaster-related relief needs. As they meet these needs, any registered church can remove the specific needs from the list. In this way, both those providing relief and those needing it can be satisfied the needs list is current.

It is a primary goal of the local churches to extend the love of Christ to newcomers to the area. The Resource Fair will provide local evacuees with the opportunity to meet with area non-profit relief agencies and churches to help them find jobs, housing, food, clothing, furniture, and health care services. Additionally, local evacuees will be asked to register so that area churches can extend hospitality and a helping hand in meeting their intermediate and long-term needs.


Task Definitions

Common (Distributed) Tasks Performed By All Local Churches:
1. Prayer – As is your tradition, pray for healing, guidance, provision, intercession, unity.
2. Family – Meeting the special needs of all ages (diapers & formula, child care, tutoring, elderly/disabled) for evacuees under your congregational care
3. Feeding – Prepared meals, served locally, as necessary
4. Finance – Each one giving as he is able through the local church to support basic intermediate and long term needs of specific evacuees under your congregational care
5. Transportation – Helping evacuees under your care get where they need to go

Complementary (Centralized) Tasks Performed in Cooperative Fashion
1. Clothing – Basic clothing needs, plus linens, towels, pillows, and blankets.
2. Communications – Telephone, email, internet, mail, and mass media
3. Food – non perishable food supplies, distributed both locally and in affected costal areas
4. Housing – short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term
5. Jobs – helping everyone find suitable local employment
6. Medical Care – both professional care and medications
7. Trips – short-term trips to clean-up, rebuild, or provide special services

Local Red Cross Role:
1. Receive evacuees into local area.
2. Provide essential transitional services.
3. Refer evacuees to available localized and distributed services.
4. Identify names, location, and contact information of evacuees to the Church.


Central Resource Database for Churches of the Valley

Tennessee Valley Hurricane Relief
Instructions for Use
Critical Information for Evacuees


Central Resource Database for Churches of the Valley!

Summary

Following a meeting of over 100 local valley churches with the Red Cross at Asbury United Methodist Church to consider how we could centralize information about resources and needs in the disaster relief efforts, a Church Hurricane Relief Task Force was formed to help fill the vacuum of information and structure for the hurricane relief efforts.

An online database has been created to offer a free central clearinghouse of information to churches of the valley in tracking resources donated or available.

PLEASE note this FREE central resource has incredible possibility, but its usefulness is dependant on your church or organization registering and logging any RESOURCES you have available, EFFORTS you are involved in, or NEEDS you are aware of regarding relief efforts.

In addition please freely use this central resource when you come across needs during relief efforts to match with available resources!

Relief Information posted can include any of the following and more:

  • Relief Resources available and/or items/inventory donated for Disaster Relief
    (i.e. food, clothing, employment opportunities, housing, etc.)
  • Relief Efforts - both local or distant/on-site
    (i.e. ministry or compassion efforts, mission trips, construction or clean-up trips, etc.)
  • Relief Events - Training, meetings, or opportunities
    (i.e. whether for people displaced, or for volunteers or those willing to help in relief efforts, etc.)
  • Relief Needs that do not have a matching resource currently available
    (i.e. wheelchair bound transportation, etc.)
  • Instructions for Use

    The central resource web site (http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com) is intuitive for those familiar with online forms and menus, but the following details are included to optionally provide specific instructions, and to clarify intended purpose and use.

    1.) PLEASE UPDATE THIS DATABASE WITH YOUR CHURCH OR ORGANIZATION RESOURCES, EFFORTS, OR NEEDS REGARDING RELIEF EFFORTS!

    2.) OPTIONALLY, SIGN-UP AS A CHURCH OR ORGANIZATION POINT-OF-CONTACT FOR NETWORKING TOGETHER AREA-WIDE IN SPECIFIC COMMON RELIEF TASKS.


    ADDITIONAL DETAILS, IF HELPFUL

    TO REGISTER - REQUIRED TO ADD OR MODIFY INFORMATION, OR TO ACCESS COMMON TASK LIST CONTACTS

    Registration and use is free. Ownership of information is tracked by email address (provided at registration). It is requested currently that only churches and organizations register and update information (with the exception of needs). If you are an individual, please reference How Individuals Can Help.

    You may register to make updates for a church or organization as follows:

    1.) Go to the web site - http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com
    2.) Click the Register menu item
    3.) Fill in the Register Form fields with:
        a.) your Email Address,
        b.) create your Password, and
        c.) enter the Authorization Code jointhecause
    4.) Click the Register button to submit

    TO ADD OR MODIFY INFORMATION - registration required

    Please note that if you add information, ownership is tracked by email address, so only you can change or delete it (and anyone responding to the item will be pointed to you). For this reason it is encouraged the church or organizations adding information have a primary contact person responsible to update/change/delete information as appropriate.

    You may modify information posted by a church or organization (if you posted it) as follows:

    1.) Go to the web site - http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com
    2.) Click the Log In menu item
    3.) Log In using the Email Address and Password you provided at registration
    4.) Add or Modify information through menu items (i.e. Enter an Item, Edit an Item, or Delete an Item)

    TO SIGN-UP OR ACCESS COMMON RELIEF TASK LISTS AND CONTACTS - registration required

    The intent is to enable congregation or organization points-of-contact to network together area-wide in these specific common relief tasks in the areas of current involvement or interest. These points-of-contact create a mini-task force or network among those focusing on this task to help communicate together and coordinate the common effort area-wide.

    CURRENT COMMON RELIEF TASK LISTS INCLUDE:


    Clothing basic clothing needs, plus linens, towels, pillows, and blankets
    Communications telephone, email, internet, mail, and mass media
    Food non perishable food supplies, distributed both locally and in affected costal areas
    Housing short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term
    Jobs helping everyone find suitable local employment
    Medical Care both professional care and medications
    Trips short-term trips to clean-up, rebuild, or provide special services

    You may sign-up or access the common task list contacts as follows:

    1.) Go to the web site - http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com
    2.) Click the Log In menu item
    3.) Log In using the Email Address and Password you provided at registration
    4.) Click the Intraorganizational Contacts menu item
    5.) To Sign-Up click the Add Contact menu item and provide your contact information (and team of interest)
    6.) To View Contacts for a Task List Team click the appropriate task menu item

    TO ADD A NEED - no registration required

    You may add a need to be listed as follows:

    1.) Go to the web site - http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com
    2.) Click the Post a Need menu item
    3.) Enter the information regarding the need and submit it

    TO VIEW AVAILABLE INFORMATION (RESOURCES AVAILABLE, OR NEEDS LISTED) - no registration required

    You may view available resources, efforts, events, or needs as follows:

    1.) Go to the web site - http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com
    2.) Click the View Donations menu item to see resources available, efforts occurring, or events scheduled
    3.) Click the View Posted Needs menu item to view needs listed

    ADDITIONAL HELP

    If there are additional questions they may be addressed to help@tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com, or you may email the database web master here

    This continues to be refined to meet the needs of the church relief efforts. Please provide feedback of ideas that could help make this tool more useful.

    Also, a very special THANK YOU to Bob Sloan (Director of Missions, Asbury UMC) for providing leadership in helping to define the structure and definition of the following web site, and to Erin Spiceland for her prompt and flexible implementation, tremendous help, and web design of the actual site!




    Central Resource Site

    Critical Information for Evacuees



    Evacuees - Meeting Your Top 10 Needs - A Fact Sheet
    Provided by The Volunteer Center of Madison County

    1. Register with The American Red Cross - Have a Picture ID and Proof of Residence from affected area
    1101 Washington Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 - 256-536-0084

    2. Sign up with FEMA
    1-800-621-3362 (very busy lines) or www.fema.org

    3. Contact The Volunteer Center of Madison County regarding housing
    912 B Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801 - 256-539-7797 or www.volunteerhsv.org 

    4. Get Food
    Salvation Army - 2114 Oakwood Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810, 256-536-5769
    Christmas Charities Year Round - 2840 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL 35816, 256-837-2373

    For Hot Meals:
    Downtown Rescue Mission - 2411 9th Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805, 256-536-2441
    TN Valley Hurricane Relief - Central Resource Database for Churches of the Valley - www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com

    5. Get your Driver’s License
    For LA residents – apply to Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at www.express-lane or 877-368-5463
    For MS residents – apply to Mississippi Department of Public Safety at www.dps.state.ms.us or 601-987-1279
    For AL residents – call 866-283-2838
    Evacuees from LA and MS who are in AL - 866-283-2838 or www.dps.state.al.us

    6. Get your Social Security Card
    Visit the Social Security office at 5021 Bradford Drive NW in Cummings Research Park.
    256-837-7010 or www.ssa.gov or 800-772-1213

    7. Register your children for school
    Huntsville City Schools - 428-6800, 428-6890, 428-6893
    Madison City Schools - 464-8370
    Madison County Schools - 852-2557

    8. Contact Family & Children Services regarding Food Stamps
    Food Stamp Office/Family & Children Services - 2206 Oakwood Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810, 256-535-4500

    9. Locate Clothes & Furniture
    Christmas Charities Year Round - 2840 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL 35816, 256-837-2373
    Catholic Center for Concern - 1010 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-536-0041
    Salvation Army - 2114 Oakwood Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-536-5576
    St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store - 2140 Jonathan Drive, Huntsville, AL 35810, 256-851-8881
    Asbury United Methodist Church - Thrift Store and Food Pantry - 980 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758, 256-837-0365
    Whitesburg Baptist Church - 6806 Whitesburg Drive S, Huntsville, AL 35802, 256-881-0952 ext. 705
    TN Valley Hurricane Relief - Central Resource Database for Churches of the Valley - www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com

    10. Find employment -www.al.com , www.huntsvillejobs.com , www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com

    Optionally, Download this Fact Sheet




    Information for Arriving Evacuees
    Provided by First Baptist Church

    • Register with the Red Cross, Monday through Friday, 8am – 4:30pm at the following location: Red Cross, 1101 Washington Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-536-0084
      • You will need a picture ID and proof of residence within effected areas.
    • Register online with FEMA at www.FEMA.gov or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
    • Housing information is being coordinated through the Volunteer Center of Madison County. You can reach them online at www.volunteerhsv.org or by phone at 539-7797
      • If you need financial help for your utility deposits contact Community Action partnership at 851-9800 or 3516 Stringfield Rd. In addition, they will be located at First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, 600 Governors Drive, Sept. 26-30, 8am – 4:30pm.
    • If you need WIC call 533-0826 (Max Luther ) or 720-0045(Huntsville Hospital) Monday through Friday.
      • To be eligible, you must be one of the following:
        • A pregnant woman
        • A breastfeeding woman
        • A woman who just had a baby
        • An infant or child under 5 years of age
    • If you are receiving Child support, contact:
      • Louisiana: 1-800-256-4650 or 1-225922-8100
      • Mississippi: 1-866-388-2836
    • You can apply for food stamps at 2206 Oakwood Ave
    • You can apply for unemployment compensation at:
      • Louisiana: Call 1-800-818-7811, 3pm – 7pm
      • Mississippi: Call 1-888-524-3578, 7am – 7pm
      • Alabama: Call 1-866-234-5382, 7am – 4:30pm
    • If you need to replace your drivers license or ID :
    • If you need to replace your social security card you can apply at 5021 Bradford Drive, Monday through Friday 8:30am – 3:30 pm. Office number is 837-7010. You can also apply online at www.ssa.gov
    • If you need to enroll your child/children in school call Huntsville City schools at 428-6800, 428-6890 or 428-6893. For Madison City call Madison School System at 464-8370. For Madison County School system call 852-2557.
    • To locate missing family members: http://news.yahoo.com/katrinahelp
    • To change your mailing address apply online www.usps.com or call 1-800-275-8777 or any post office will have forms for you to complete.
    For other needs, contact the community HELPLINE at 256-716-1000




    Hurricane Relief Resource Fair

    Hurricane Relief Resource Fair

    The Church Disaster Relief Task Force
    Local churches working cooperatively as the Body of Christ bringing relief to disaster victims

    HURRICANE RELIEF RESOURCE FAIR!

    Hurricane Relief Resource Fair - Von Braun Center (Thursday, Oct 20th, 1pm-4pm)
    The Church Disaster Relief Task Force is hosting a Hurricane Relief Resource Fair with the support of The Red Cross and The Volunteer Center of Madison County to help connect continually changing needs of evacuees with resources available through community agencies and the Churches of the Valley!
     Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
     Date: Thursday, October 20th, 2005
     Location: VBC East Hall (directly across from the Ticket Office, Monroe Street entrance - Map)

    If you would be willing to help or would like to represent a ministry, church, community organization, or area business to communicate free resources available to evacuees, please RSVP though the online form at the following link (or phone below) by Monday October 17th. Note: The purpose is to connect available resources with needs, and not to distribute resources at the VBC. Space to exhibit at the Resource Fair is FREE!

    Hurricane Relief Resource Fair (HRRF) - www.MissionHuntsville.org/HRRF

    Contact Information:
    Hurricane Relief Resource Fair (HRRF) - Printable Flyer (PDF)
    Web: www.MissionHuntsville.org/HRRF (Churches/Organizations please RSVP for Resource Fair here!)
    Email: HurricaneRelief@AsburyUMC.ws - Asbury United Methodist Church
    Phone: 256.837.2665 - Mt. Zion Baptist Church
    FAX: 256.837.2802 (if prefer to fax RSVP form, please use this number)


    Manna House Disaster Relief

    Manna House Disaster Relief


    MANNA HOUSE DISASTER RELIEF
    OPERATION RESTORATION


    Valley Churches, Businesses, City Leaders Coordinate to Turn Abandoned Hotel into Survivor's Sanctuary

    Operation Restoration is made of a coalition of Manna House, area churches and businesses. This coalition is working together to offer housing, meals, job placement, medical, long-term housing and governmental assistance to those that have been forced to evacuate the Gulf Coast because of Hurricane Katrina.

    Operation Restoration will begin offering housing September 13th to evacuees. Initially, we will have 40 rooms that will house up to 120 people. Within 2 weeks we hope to have all 140 rooms renovated to house between 300 - 400 evacuees for six months to a year. With the seal of approval of Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer, as of September 8, 2005 we will begin to clean up and restore all services to the old Ramada Inn located at 3502 South Memorial Parkway. We desire to see Job Placement, Medical Care, Huntsville City Schools, Social Security Administration and Daycare assistance provided for evacuees.

    If you desire to support this effort please call 256-533-9292 for more information. If you want to volunteer your time, please add your name to our e-mail list at the Manna House Disaster Relief web site - www.MannaHouseDisasterRelief.org. You must be over 18 years old or accompanied by a guardian to participate in this effort.

    If you want to make a donation of services (Carpet, plumbing, electric, glass, etc) please contact Scott Jones at 256-533-9292. If you desire to make a monetary donation please make the check payable to Manna House. All donations are tax deductible and would be greatly appreciated.

    Channel 48 News story


    Manna House Food Distribution Center
    2110 Memorial Pkwy SW
    Huntsville, AL 35801
    Phone: 256.533-9292
    Fax: 256-533-5494
    Web: www.MannaHouseDisasterRelief.org
    Email: smerritt@therockfwc.org

      Help Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

    Hurricane Katrina has blazed a trail of devastation throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Across the Gulf Coast, Katrina engulfed thousands of homes and decimated the landscape in what could become the most destructive storm in U.S. history. Victims are stranded and in need of immediate medical care, food and water, and tens of thousands of people will need temporary housing for months. Manna House Disaster Relief is bringing aid to these survivors through your help. We hope that you will partner with us to impact these people in need.

      Clarification of recent news reports

    In the Huntsville Times Newspaper on Thursday, September 8th, it was reported that evacuees would be placed in rooms with mold concerns.  This is an incorrect statement.  Some of the rooms did have mold issues and we have hired a professional company assess the situation and are taking the necessary steps to resolve these issues.

    Channel 19 news reported on Thursday evening, September 8th, that $200,000.00 had been received to cover expenses for the Operation Restoration. The actual statement is that we are in need of $200,000.00 to $300,000.00 to cover these expenses.  These funds have not as of yet been donated. 


      New Media Gallery

      Latest news

      ADOPT-A-ROOM

      Information Updates

      OPERATION RESTORATION

      Join teams traveling to Gulfport

      Volunteer Opportunities

      New Donation Needs

      Baby Item Collection

     

      Links

      PRC Compassion

      Expectation Ministries

     


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    Additional Information for Churches of the Valley

    Local Katrina Relief Collection & Distribution Center Announced:

    Southwood Bulletin Board
    Prayer Requests and Important Notices
    September 9, 2005

    Southwood Presbyterian Church has moved out to open a major collection and distribution center in the Publix Shopping Center at 4851 Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville, at Airport Road, between Publix and Movie Gallery. The center is to open Sep 10th and will receive donations (see donations requested here - MS Word Doc) Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 5 p.m. Trucks will be going continuously to the large, efficient and well-run center at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, where smaller trucks stand by to get the goods out to the areas in need. The need for volunteer workers and donations will be great. We want to invite all churches, businesses and groups to join us in this effort. All donations received will be for the Gulf Coast area; not for local distribution. Please help spread the word. This is an opportunity and challenge for all our area.

    Bob Bradshaw (652-3778) is the director of the center. Anyone interested in working today and tomorrow just go to the location. To volunteer and schedule a time to work later, please call him.

    Please note that no used clothing is to be donated here. (That should go to the Whitesburg Baptist Church Clothes Closet or Asbury Thrift Store on Old Madison Pike in Madison.)

    For general questions please e-mail relief@southwood.org or call Laura Patterson at 882-3085.

    If you know of evacuees looking for jobs, I am told The Volunteer Center is handling that. Also, have them check the city’s web page, which is supposed to have all info needed for Huntsville (www.ci.huntsville.al.us).

    NEED:
    A member has a car to donate but it needs transmission work first. If you would like to help with this expense please call Susan DuPre at 880-1243

    Laura Patterson
    Disaster Relief Coordinator
    Southwood Presbyterian Church


    Some Local Contact Information Circulated:
    September 10, 2005

    Information included in the following document includes local Disaster Relief Items Needed (Manna House, Expectation Ministries), some contact information for some efforts in the local community, a Lincoln County (MS) Red Cross Wish List, and contact information for some Major Relief Agencies.

    Katrina Relief Contacts (PDF)


    Angel Flight Pilots - Free Missions of Mercy from Huntsville International Airport:
    September 15, 2005

    Angel Flight pilots are flying free missions of mercy to transport medicine, food, clothing, general supplies, refugees, and medical personnel. Please deliver donated items to Signature Flight Support at Huntsville International Airport. See detail at following link:

    Angel Flight Southeast (PDF)


    Opportunities for Teams in Louisiana:
    September 18, 2005

    Please help us get the word out about the need for manpower in the relief efforts in the storm damaged region from the hurricane. Our daughter Kayla and her new husband are in Lafayette, LA and are a part of a Christian organization who are working intensely with relief efforts. For anyone who has a desire to GO, Don Norman is the contact man to coordinate with. He can be reached at: 337-255-6996. I had a long, intense conversation with Don yesterday afternoon (Saturday). Here are things that he shared with me.

    Don and Kayla’s church is involved with an organization called Pastor’s Resource Council (PRC) Their pastor, Jacob Aranza is one of the co-founders of the organization. The website for information is: www.prccompassion.org. PRC Compassion is a charitable organization that is in a strategic alliance with the Pastor’s Resource Council (PRC). The PRC is a coalition of churches and pastors to address community needs and distribute relief. The coalition was formed several years ago. In an effort to provide relief to the devastation of our state through 5 means:

  • Providing temporary shelter.
  • Supplying food and water.
  • Providing various heavy equipment.
  • Sending laborers to work in the shelters and cut down trees.
  • Providing counselors for the emotional needs of those effected by the Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath.

    Mission
    To coordinate national, state, and local faith and community-based organizations to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

    Leadership
    Pastoral Oversight Committee:

  • Gene Mills - Louisiana Family Forum - Baton Rouge, LA - www.lafamilyforum.org
  • Dino Rizzo - Healing Place Church - Baton Rouge, LA - www.healingplacechurch.org
  • Jacob Aranza - Our Savior’s Church - Lafayette, LA - www.oursaviorschurch.com
  • Steve Robinson - Church of the King - Mandeville, LA - www.churchofthekinginfo.com

    Our son, Don Norman is the key contact person for volunteer relief personnel wanting to donate time. TIME is the most needed resource at this point. He shared with me that they have more resources of ‘stuff’ at this time than they know what to do with, but there is a lack of manpower to handle the stuff. If individuals or teams would like to go, there are places to stay and food to eat. Just go! You can have truckloads of material donated, but there is still a need to unload and distribute those items. Don can be reached at 337-255-6996

    Please continue to pray for the efforts and the people behind them. Don and Kayla are in the trenches and are there for the long haul. Kayla is cooking for the Master’s Commission group, some 40 or more per day as well as many other groups coming in to volunteer. She has had upwards of over 100 at a time to prepare meals for.

    Thank you for your time, love and compassion. May God bless you and keep you.

    In Jesus Love,
    Lisa Brown
    256-882-3950


    Somebody Cares (Houston) Relief Efforts:

    Report from Houston
    Bret A. Wade (of Global Impact Ministries - Huntsville, AL)
    September 10, 2005

    Matt Stevens is helping coordinate efforts in Houston, TX. He works closely with Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares.

    An infrastructure of collaborating city churches is the saving grace for Houston. The church is shining in this area. The secular agencies are helping some but nowhere near the effort that the church is putting out. The secular response to the church has been very interesting. There are approximately 200,000 evacuees in the city. The Astrodome only represents a portion. Those are mostly those rescued from the Superdome. Those coming to the churches are white collar executives, doctors, lawyers as well as blue collar workers. The reports we are receiving out of the these churches is that the attitude from the evacuees is overwhelmingly grateful.

    Somebody Cares has warehousing in several places for supplies. They are abreast of the needs along the coast. Databases are being constructed to match needs to available goods and supplies. This has gone beyond drop off and distribution. It's taken the church of Houston to a whole new level of ministry efforts. Teams of volunteers are arriving from all over the country. Matt can also arrange missions teams. The skills will be matched to the needs.

    Bret A. Wade of Global Impact Ministries - Huntsville, AL, www.globalimpactinc.org, bretwade@globalimpactinc.org, 256.828.3055 office


    Somebody Cares (Houston) Efforts in Gulf and in Houston - Huntsville Mission and Volunteer Team Opportunities:



    From: Matt Stevens
    September 14, 2005
    Subject: Efforts in the Gulf and in Houston

    Somebody Cares would like to invite leaders to lead a Volunteer Team to the region. Mission camps are being staged now so that volunteers can be accommodated. If you are interested in serving in the way the dates are October 6th – 10th. Locations, costs and requirements will follow.

    Right now we are looking for individuals to organize teams.

    Christ in Action is one of the Somebody Cares ministry partners who have established Camp Hope in Gulfport.
    They had a visit from the President at the staging area.

    Check out the pictures and reports at:
    http://www.christinaction.com/index.cfm/PageID/13/index.html

    Denny and his family are doing an incredible job and are a great demonstration of the Church rising up to serve the needs of people.

    Mobilizing the Church to show people that Somebody Cares

    UPDATE

    From: Matt Stevens
    Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005
    Subject: Organizers and administration is needed
    Importance: High

    We have an immediate need for leadership people who can temporarily go to the staging areas and relieve some of the leaders in the hardest hit areas in Mississippi, Louisiana and Houston.

    These people need to be organized, well adjusted and understand basic operation and mobilization principles. Please share this with those who you know may be able to handle the task. We can serve the servants of this efforts by relieving the relief workers.

    Matt Stevens

    If you know of people who are available, we have locations that they can sent to: you can feel free to contact me By phone: 443 520-4205 or By Email: MATT@CHAINREACTION2005.COM


    Christian Emergency Network - www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org



    Have you wondered how your church could share Hope with the Hopeless in this hour?

    Helpful Resources during Hurricane Katrina and Rita

    Be Prepared!

    To understand the times and know how to respond, Christians must be prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually for tough time


    Contact for Area Relief Efforts and Organizations

    Donate cash to:

    American Red Cross 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669);

    Operation Blessing 1-800-436-6348;

    America’s Second Harvest 1-800-344-8070; 

     

    Donate Cash to and Volunteer with:

    Adventist Community Services 1-800-381-7171;

    Catholic Charities, USA 1-800-919-9338;

    Christian Disaster Response  941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554;

    Christian Reformed World Relief Committee 1-800-848-5818;

    Church World Service 1-800-297-1516;

    Convoy of Hope 417-823-8998;

    Corporation for National and Community Service Disaster Relief Fund (202) 606-6718;

    Lutheran Disaster Response 800-638-3522;

    Mennonite Disaster Service 717-859-2210;

    Nazarene Disaster Response 888-256-5886;

    Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 800-872-3283;

    Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769);

    Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440;

    United Methodist Committee on Relief 1-800-554-8583;  For further information: visit the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at: http://www.nvoad.org/

     


  • This site is donated and maintained by Anna Sue Edwards of Webs 2 Impress and is dedicated to those who lost so much in this tiny coastal community.

    REBUILD PEARLINGTON…….
    one brick at a time.

    The little coastal community of Pearlington, MS (click here for map), was all but destroyed by hurrican Katrina which hit the Gulf Coast August 29, 2005.  Every home and business was affected in one way or another by the storm and many homes were left uninhabitable. Most are still that way.  A group of concerned Christians from the Huntsville, Alabama area have become burdened for this community, its residents and their ongoing needs.  Please take time to visit the links given below and email me if you have things to add to the site or if you wish to contribute to the relief efforts in some way.  Almost every month, a team is going back to Pearlington to help clear out houses, provide needed materials, paint, repair and in general, try to give hope where it has been dashed to pieces.  The brave families who are left here are trying very hard to rebuild their lives in a place where homes and cars have been lost and jobs are few and far between.

     

    Tennessee Valley Community Resources



    The Volunteer Center of Madison County has been requested to coordinate area efforts with the American Red Cross.




        Disaster Relief - Top 10 Needs
        Top 10 List of what evacuees need to know

        Disaster Relief - Meeting Local Needs
        List of Local Services available for those displaced by Katrina

        Disaster Relief Needs - Local/State/National
        Local Volunteer and Donation Needs/Drives, and National Information

        Disaster Relief Housing - Housing

        Disaster Relief Help - Help Is Online (PDF)


    The Volunteer Center of Madison County
    912-B Bob Wallace Avenue
    Huntsville, AL 35801
    Phone (256) 539-7797
    Fax (256) 539-7806
    Web: www.volunteerhsv.org
    Email: info@volunteerhsv.org




    American Red Cross - Madison / Marshall County Chapter
    1101 Washington Street NW
    Huntsville, AL 35801
    (256) 536-0084
    Web: www.redcrossrelief.org or www.helpcantwait.org
    Email: contactus@helpcantwait.org

    Serving Madison, Marshall and Jackson Counties


    North Alabama Responds
    The people of Huntsville and Madison County join the State and Nation in matching the needs of evacuees to sources where their needs can be met.

    Their needs include:



    Expanded List of Resources from Senator Sessions Office

    U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions provided to the Christian Coalition of Alabama the following list of contacts for relief agencies, government agencies and various organizations working with victims of Hurricane Katrina. (Please note we have taken the liberty to add other information to this master list as it becomes available).
     
    Please pass this information along to anyone you feel it could benefit.
     
    Resources for Those in Need
     
    A list of organizations active during disasters can be found at: www.usafreedomcorps.gov
     
    State of Alabama Donations and Volunteers Hotline
    1-877-273-5018
     
    Web Site for Donating Housing or Finding Housing
     
    Licensed health care professionals who want to volunteer should call
    1-800-272-2707.
     
    Vendors
    National Emergency Resource Registry
     
    Click on “Help the Victims of Hurricane Katrina-
    Register Your Business to Provide Relief For vendors wishing to do business with FEMA
     
    Web site for resources of any kind can be posted
    (donations, volunteers, contractors, etc.)
     
    Locate Missing and stranded Individuals (Red Cross Site):
     
    Family Link Registry Locate Missing and stranded Individuals (Coast Guard Site):
     
    FEMA National Donations Hotline
    1-800-440-6728
    202-646-4006 (for voice message)
     
    USPS
     (FOR INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE ADDRESS CHANGES
    800-ASK-USPS/800-275-8777)
     
    JOB RESOURCES
     
    Department of Labor:
    866-4-USA-DOL (866-487-2365
     
    Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
    866-234-5382
     
    Louisiana Department of Labor
    866-783-5567
     
    Mississippi Department of Employment Security
    888-844-3577 OR
     
    Alabama 
     
    List of County EMA Offices
     
    To List Rental Units
     
    Alabama Only
    Fax information to Mary Bendon
     334-409-4691
     
    Alabama Emergency Management Agency
    205-280-2200
     
    Click below for your county EMA contact information:
     
     Alabama Department of Transportation
    Emergency Road Closure Information and Evacuation Updates:
    1-888-588-2848 or 1-334-353-6650
     
    Attorney General
    1-800-392-5658
    To report price gouging contact the Consumer Affairs Office: http://www.ago.state.al.us/
     
    Alabama Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation
    1-800-367-0955
    Facilities and Health Care Information
     
    Louisiana
     
    To report missing persons,
    please call the American Red Cross at 1(866) 438-4636.
    Louisiana Governor Blanco's hotline:
    800-469-4828
     
    Louisiana Evacuation Office:
    225-925-7514
     
    Louisiana State Police:
     225-925-7708 or 7709
     
    Shelter Information:
     
    Red Cross- 1(866)(438-4636)
    Special Needs Shelter Information Triage Phone Numbers:
    Alexandria: 800-841-5778
    Baton Rouge: 800-349-1372
    Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724
    Lafayette: 800-901-3210
    Lake Charles: 866-280-2711
    Monroe: 866-280-7287
    Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409
     
    Mississippi
    Red Cross 1-866-Get Info (Missing Persons)
     
    To report missing persons, please email missingpersons@seoc.ms.gov
     
    Red Cross
    1-800-Help Now (Donations)
     
    MDOT traffic hotline:
     601-352-7017
     
     Volunteers Medical personnel:
     
    Doctors call: 601-987-3079;
    EMTs call: 601-576-8085;
    Nurses call: 601-497-8022
    Non-professional volunteers: contact Red Cross, Salvation Army other established volunteer organizations.
     
    DONATIONS
     
    To locate local Red Cross Chapter: http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html
     American Red Cross 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English,
     1-800-257-7575 Spanish;
     
    Family Links Registry
     1-877-LOVED-1S (1-877-568-3317)
     
    Operation Blessing
    1-800-436-6348

    Project: Church Welcome (CBN.com)
    Coordinating Housing with Churches
    http://www.cbn.com/special/churchwelcome/index.asp
     
    America’s Second Harvest
    1-800-344-8070
     
    Donate Cash to and Volunteer with:
     
    Adventist Community Services
    1-800-381-7171
     
    Catholic Charities, USA
    1-800-919-9338
     
    Christian Disaster Response
     941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554
     
    Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
    1-800-848-5818
     
    Church World Service
    1-800-297-1516
     
    Convoy of Hope
    417-823-8998
     
    Corporation for National and Community Service Disaster Relief Fund
    (202) 606-6718
     
    Lutheran Disaster Response
    800-638-3522
     
    Mennonite Disaster Service
    717-859-2210
     
    Nazarene Disaster Response
    888-256-5886
     
    Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
    800-872-3283
     
    Salvation Army
    1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
     
    Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief
    1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440
     
    United Methodist Committee on Relief
    1-800-554-8583
     
    B'nai B'rith International,
    2020 K Street, N.W., Seventh Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006;
    or online by going to www.bnaibrith.org and
    clicking on the link for disaster relief.
     
    United Jewish Communities,
    P.O. Box 30, Old Chelsea Station, N.Y., 10113,
    attention: Hurricane Katrina.
    Mark the memo section of checks with "Katrina."
    Phone: 1- 877-277-2477
     
    Union for Reform Judaism
     Information on the Disaster Relief Fund can be found at www.urj.org/relief
     
     International Aid Global Headquarters
    17011 W. Hickory Spring Lake,
    Michigan 49456-9712,
    USA Phone: (616) 846.7490
    Fax: (616) 846.3842
    Toll Free: (800) 968-7490
    24-hour Donation Line: (800) 251.2502
     
     For further information: visit the website for the
    National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)
     
     
    OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION
      
    Alabama Commission on Aging
     1-877-425-2243
     1-800-243-5463
    1800-458-7214
     
    Farm Service Agency
    Mobile, Baldwin:(251)937-3297;
    Washington: (251)246-0245
     
     Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA)
    1-800-843-0699
     
    Alabama Emergency Management
     
    American Red Cross
     1-800-GET-INFO
     
    Alabama Consumer Affairs Division
    1-800-392-5658
     
    Department of Mental Health
    State Wide Crises Counseling
    1-800-367-0955
    1800-832-0952
     POC: Acquanetta Knight (334) 242-3229
     
    Alabama Dept. of Revenue
     1-334-242-1170
     
    Disaster Unemployment
     
    Department of Industrial Relations
    1-866-234-5382
     
     Donations Hotline
     
    Emergency Assistance
    1-800-HELP-NOW (435-7669-English);
    (1-800-257-7575-Spanish)
     
    American Red Cross
    1-866-438-4636
      
    Food Stamps Automated Information Line
    1-800-382-0499
     
    Fraud
     
    FEMA Fraud-Office of Inspector General
    1-800-323-8603
     
    FEMA Help-Line & Teleregistration
    1-800-621-3362
    1-800-462-7585
      
    Governor's Office
    334-242-7100
      
    Insurance Commissioner
    1-800-433-3966
     1-334-269-3550
     
    Disaster Legal Services
     
    Young Lawers Division Alabama State Bar
    1-800-354-6154
     1-334-2691515
     
    Salvation Army
    1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
     
    Small Business Administration
    1-800-UASK.SBA
    1-800-827-5722
     
    Social Security Administration
    1-800-772-1213
    1-800-325-0778 TTY
     
     Tax Assistance
     
    I.R.S.
    1-800-829-1040
     1-800-829-4059  TTY
    Refund only Information 1-334-353-2540
     
    Veterans Services
     
    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    1-800-827-1000
    1-800- 829-4833 TTY