Texas Wildfires: Inspiritus Teams Deployed

Dear Friends,
 
On February 26, the largest wildfire in Texas state history broke out causing extensive damage to over 1.1 million acres across the Texas Panhandle. Fueled by dry and windy conditions, this wildfire – known as the Smokehouse Creek fire – is now one of the largest fires in U.S. history, though the initial cause is still unclear. Unfortunately, authorities have confirmed that two people have died in connection to the wildfires, so far. The blaze has also killed thousands of livestock, charred crops, and has burned numerous homes, many uninsured, leaving countless families displaced. On February 27, Randall County, Potter County, and City of Amarillo, Texas declared a local state of disaster.

Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by the Texas Panhandle Wildfires lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams arrived in Amarillo, Texas on Saturday, March 9 and will be assisting survivors on their road to recovery. We have established a base of operations at The Trinity Nazarene Church of Borger. At the request of the Texas Panhandle VOAD, our teams are managing the Volunteer Reception Center located at The Dome Civic and Convention Center. Authorities are allowing homeowners to return this week and our teams will be conducting rapid home assessments, where it is safe to enter. Inspiritus staff have started communications with homeowners and will begin assessments and field work on Tuesday, March 12.
 
This critical work would not be possible without the support of Inspiritus donors, our incredible volunteers, and partners like The Home Depot Foundation, ToolBank USA, Airlink, and International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) - who are generously providing needed tools, volunteer flights, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) for this response.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We hope you will consider joining us in prayer and thoughts for those tragically impacted by the Texas Panhandle Wildfires and the responders who are helping. To learn more about Inspiritus' Disaster Relief efforts and the ways you can help survivors, click the button below.

Thank you for being a vital part of our community and supporting Inspiritus as we accompany these individuals & families on their path from surviving to thriving.

 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus 

Mississippi Tornado Response Update

Dear Friend,

It's been nearly two weeks since powerful storms swept through Mississippi and Alabama on the evening of March 24th, producing 20 tornadoes and tragically taking the lives of over two dozen people. The storm caused catastrophic damages to hundreds of homes and buildings, leaving thousands of residents without power and in need of extensive home repairs. Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by the tornados lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

Since deployment, Inspiritus has been working in coordination with emergency teams, local officials, and our partners to help impacted communities on their road to recovery. Inspiritus-trained volunteers are currently helping survivors in Wren, Mississippi (15-minutes west of Amory), by providing free Debris Removal, Roof Tarping, and Chainsaw services for the most vulnerable homeowners.

Last Saturday, Inspiritus helped to coordinate and provide disaster response safety training to 160 community volunteers, to ensure volunteers can safely support the needs of Survivors in the area. In total, our teams provided in-depth safety briefings and has coordinated the clean-up and debris removal efforts of 376 volunteers, serving over 1240 hours in Wren, MS.

It's critical for our teams to take extra care of not just a Survivor's home, but the person impacted. Many of them are faced with horrific memories and the surmounting feeling of loss and grief after such a traumatic event. Several Inspiritus volunteers are trained to provide spiritual, emotional and social support to help Survivors navigate the difficult road ahead of them. Barbara Yates, a seasoned Inspiritus Disaster Relief Volunteer, recalls the terrifying experience of one of the families we are assisting:

"One of the families we are helping was gathered together in their home when thestorm struck. It was a father and mother, and two children (a teenage boy and his younger sister). The teenager, wrapped himself around his sister, while the entire home was picked up and thrown 100 yards and eventually smashed into a line of trees. Miraculously, everyone lived...but, their home is a total loss. Despite the fact that they could walk away, they are forever changed."

- Barbara Yates, Inspiritus Volunteer

WHAT WE ARE DOING:

• Providing free Chainsaw, Roof Tarping, and Debris Removal services to communities, as needed.

• Providing safety briefings to Spontaneous Volunteers, as needed.

• Providing free Home Needs Assessments.

• Supporting individuals and families impacted by the disaster.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors, including:

• Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

• Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing home needs assessments and debris removal services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. We are directly providing home assessments and debris removal (including chainsawing) to homes and public spaces.

• Spiritual & Emotional Care: Disasters can affect a Survivor's physical and emotional well-being. They disrupt everyday life by displacing individuals and families, destroying homes, and splintering communities. Inspiritus' volunteer teams and partner organizations are providing emotional care, spiritual guidance and critical resources to help impacted individuals recover stronger.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Thank you for helping impacted communities find strength and resiliency during this difficult time. We will continue to keep you updated as the work progresses. In the meantime, you can learn more about Inspiritus' Disaster Relief efforts and the ways you can get involved by clicking the button below.

Please join us in prayer for those impacted by this tragic disaster.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Disaster Team Deploys to Mississippi

Dear Friend,

On the evening of March 24, a powerful tornado cut a devastating path of at least 170 miles across Mississippi and Alabama. Tragically, these communities lost over two dozen lives as the tornado obliterated homes and buildings in its wake. It traveled through Amory, Mississippi, a small town of 7,316 residents situated in the northeastern corner of Mississippi, near the Alabama border. Few buildings remained unscathed, with many requiring extensive repairs.

The 70 mph tornado left downed power lines, uprooted trees, and pieces of roofing and siding throughout the streets of Amory. The town has been operating without clean drinking water as the city’s water treatment plant was directly hit. The people who have lived in the small community their whole lives say they've never seen anything quite like the destruction they're facing now.

Thankfully, there were no fatalities within the Amory town limits, however many residents are displaced, managing numerous injuries, and working to salvage their homes and personal items. According to Police Chief Nicholaus Weaver, “All of the residential buildings in the town have been searched and found clear. Now, it’s about the cleanup. It’s going to be a long process.”

WHAT WE ARE DOING:

Project Tasks & Activities:

Inspiritus volunteer teams will help with debris removal & chainsawing wherever needed most in Amory, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households. 

We are also deploying our WOW Cart (from Waterstep) to provide purified water to residents & responders, as needed. 

Teams will conduct rapid home needs assessments, before providing free clean-up, debris removal, and chainsaw services. Our teams will also be prepared to help deploy spontaneous volunteers to assist with home debris removal jobs, as needed.

W

Projected Outcomes:

• Providing chainsaw & debris removal services to communities as needed/available

• Ensuring Access to Inspiritus’ WOW Cart/Water Purification system

• Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

• Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

• Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

• Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing home needs assessments and debris removal services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. We are directly providing home assessments and debris removal (including chainsawing) to homes and public spaces. We anticipate our services will be able to help 100+ individuals within 2 weeks from the time we responded.

• Spiritual & Emotional Care: Volunteers will be accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As things develop, we will keep you updated on the needs for this Response operation. In the meantime, you can learn more about Inspiritus' Disaster Relief efforts and the ways you can get involved by clicking the button below.

Please join us in prayer for those impacted by this tragic disaster.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Your Favorite Inspiritus Programs: 2022 Highlights

As we look back on 2022, this year tells a story of resilience, strength, and determination despite the storms of life that affect each of us and those we have the honor of serving. From the family arriving from a war-torn country with nothing but the clothes on their back who is given a warm home and welcome from Inspiritus staff and volunteers in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee, to the disabled senior veteran whose home has been restored after the tornado (or flood, or hurricane) hit both his home and his hope. On behalf of the 8,504 survivors we accompanied this year through life’s storms, thank you for your compassion and commitment to empowering each one on their path from Surviving to Thriving.

Moeen Amini, Interpreter for the U.S. Military in Afghanistan, was interviewed by Allied News. He reflected, “We really lost hope to live. We faced a lot of Taliban checkpoints. I cannot explain how hard it was facing those people. You know, seeing hundreds of people with guns and stopping us and asking us, ‘Who you are, where are you going? And why are you leaving the country? Are you people the U.S. military supporters, is that why you’re leaving the country?'"

Moeen and his family were resettled in Clarkston, Georgia. Upon arrival, however, no one was willing to hire him. Thanks to supporters like you who help us respond to the urgent needs of refugees, like the newly arriving families from Afghanistan, Moeen and hundreds of others have found housing, work, and schooling this year.

Inspiritus’ mission is to empower families to do more than survive…but to also thrive. In 2022, the Inspiritus Refugee and Immigrant Services team pivoted from resettlement of Afghan Allies to the ‘Long Welcome’— the extended period after a family is housed, when our teams help them pursue upskilling and securing career recertifications so they can earn enough income to fully support their families. We are also helping them to apply for permanent immigration status. Your donations make it possible for families like Moeen’s to thrive again.

Elizabeth Moore and her husband rushed to get their children to safety as 6 feet of water filled their home, making it uninhabitable. They applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and were rejected three times. On July 26, Inspiritus deployed a team to East Kentucky to provide the critical help needed after these flash floods. Inspiritus leaders helped homeowners, like Elizabeth, navigate FEMA, and volunteers worked endlessly to clean up the debris from flood ravaged homes.

Elizabeth Moore and her husband rushed to get their children to safety as 6 feet of water filled their home, making it uninhabitable. They applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and were rejected three times.

On July 26, Inspiritus deployed a team to East Kentucky to provide the critical help needed after these flash floods. Inspiritus leaders helped homeowners, like Elizabeth, navigate FEMA, and volunteers worked endlessly to clean up the debris from flood ravaged homes.This year, Inspiritus deployed Response teams to help give hope to thousands of survivors impacted by the Mayfield Tornado, East Kentucky Floods, and Hurricane Ian.

In addition, Inspiritus Recovery teams repaired 70+ homes in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. When partners like you support our work on the ground, we can deploy teams faster to help the most vulnerable recover. Prayerfully consider donating or volunteering today with our disaster relief efforts.

We have come a long way as Inspiritus celebrates almost four years since we merged the organizations of Lutheran Services in Tennessee and Lutheran Services of Georgia. From the beginning, we have dreamed of ways to better meet the local community’s increasing needs from our site at the old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We are excited to tell you that we are on the verge of that dream being realized.

In the coming months, you will hear more about Inspiritus’ Campus Redevelopment that will expand our reach with 8,000 square feet of program space including a flagship “client choice grocery market” food pantry, affordable housing for seniors, community enrichment spaces for Inspiritus empowerment programs, and other services. We will not be able to accomplish this redevelopment without your support. We hope you will consider making a pledge or monthly gift to support this campaign, and will let us know if you have any friends, family, organizations, or foundations who might want to learn more about how to partner with us in this effort.

Your gift will empower our neighbors with the supports they need to thrive, right where they are.

Inspiritus’ Foster Care and Disability & Health Services programs provide person- centered housing with compassionate and well-trained Foster Care Parents or Support Companions for adults and children with critical needs. The need is great! If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent or Support Companion in your home, please contact us or visit our website: weinspirit.org.

Our Foster Care program specializes in serving infants, children, and teens with significant medical, developmental, mental, physical, and/or behavioral challenges. These children often face harsh odds, and need highly qualified, well-trained foster parents to meet their needs so they can begin to thrive. This year, the program has made it possible for 38 medically vulnerable youth in Georgia to receive the care and support they need.

Inspiritus’ Disability & Health Services accompanies adult individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, Disability & Health Services empowered 82 adults in Georgia by ensuring they have the compassionate Support Companions and homes they need.

Your end-of-year gift will help empower more individuals and families on their journey from surviving to thriving.

We continue to need your support to keep our programs and services well-equipped to make a difference. Please consider making your end-of-year donation to Inspiritus. We are so grateful for supporters like you. We wish you safe and healthy holiday season!

Your Favorite Inspiritus Programs: 2022 Highlights

As we look back on 2022, this year tells a story of resilience, strength, and determination despite the storms of life that affect each of us and those we have the honor of serving. From the family arriving from a war-torn country with nothing but the clothes on their back who is given a warm home and welcome from Inspiritus staff and volunteers in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee, to the disabled senior veteran whose home has been restored after the tornado (or flood, or hurricane) hit both his home and his hope. On behalf of the 8,504 survivors we accompanied this year through life’s storms, thank you for your compassion and commitment to empowering each one on their path from Surviving to Thriving.

Watch Our New Series!

Moeen Amini, Interpreter for the U.S. Military in Afghanistan, was interviewed by Allied News. He reflected, “We really lost hope to live. We faced a lot of Taliban checkpoints. I cannot explain how hard it was facing those people. You know, seeing hundreds of people with guns and stopping us and asking us, ‘Who you are, where are you going? And why are you leaving the country? Are you people the U.S. military supporters, is that why you’re leaving the country?'"

Moeen and his family were resettled in Clarkston, Georgia. Upon arrival, however, no one was willing to hire him. Thanks to supporters like you who help us respond to the urgent needs of refugees, like the newly arriving families from Afghanistan, Moeen and hundreds of others have found housing, work, and schooling this year.

Inspiritus’ mission is to empower families to do more than survive…but to also thrive. In 2022, the Inspiritus Refugee and Immigrant Services team pivoted from resettlement of Afghan Allies to the ‘Long Welcome’— the extended period after a family is housed, when our teams help them pursue upskilling and securing career recertifications so they can earn enough income to fully support their families. We are also helping them to apply for permanent immigration status. Your donations make it possible for families like Moeen’s to thrive again.

Elizabeth Moore and her husband rushed to get their children to safety as 6 feet of water filled their home, making it uninhabitable. They applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and were rejected three times. On July 26, Inspiritus deployed a team to East Kentucky to provide the critical help needed after these flash floods. Inspiritus leaders helped homeowners, like Elizabeth, navigate FEMA, and volunteers worked endlessly to clean up the debris from flood ravaged homes.

This year, Inspiritus deployed Response teams to help give hope to thousands of survivors impacted by the Mayfield Tornado, East Kentucky Floods, and Hurricane Ian.

In addition, Inspiritus Recovery teams repaired 70+ homes this year in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. When partners like you support our work on the ground, we can deploy teams faster to help the most vulnerable recover. Prayerfully consider donating or volunteering today with our disaster relief efforts.

We have come a long way as Inspiritus celebrates almost four years since we merged the organizations of Lutheran Services in Tennessee and Lutheran Services of Georgia. From the beginning, we have dreamed of ways to better meet the local community’s increasing needs from our site at the old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We are excited to tell you that we are on the verge of that dream being realized.

In the coming months, you will hear more about Inspiritus’ Campus Redevelopment that will expand our reach with 8,000 square feet of program space including a flagship “client choice grocery market” food pantry, affordable housing for seniors, community enrichment spaces for Inspiritus empowerment programs, and other services. We will not be able to accomplish this redevelopment without your support. We hope you will consider making a pledge or monthly gift to support this campaign, and will let us know if you have any friends, family, organizations, or foundations who might want to learn more about how to partner with us in this effort.

Your gift will empower our neighbors with the supports they need to thrive, right where they are.

Our disaster relief teams have been on the ground in Middle Tennessee for nearly a year and a half, supporting the needs of families impacted by the 2020 Nashville Tornado, as well as those more recently affected by the floods in March of 2021. Inspiritus has been working closely with our inspiring local partners to respond to the floods: Hands On Nashville, Nashville VOAD, Tennessee VOAD, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA.

READ HOW INSPIRITUS DISASTER RELIEF RESPONDED TO THE 2021 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FLOODS

Our Children and Family Services teams have been immersed in grant and funding application season while continuing to serve more families through our PSSF (Promoting Safe and Stable Families) contract, plus we're opening new foster care homes!

We've been busy with our various programs: including the A+ Parents Program which involves comprehensive education for families at risk of intervention.

READ HOW INSPIRITUS PROMOTES SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES

Our Middle Tennessee programs continue to thrive: Inspiritus was selected as a 2021 Thrivent Choice Program Recipient! We are also celebrating 10 years of gardening at Cheatham Place, and to date 200+ gardens have been planted by residents in low-income communities. Our Thrive Studios Youth Arts 'spring breakers' completed a mural with artist Omari Booker, which can be seen on the “Local Distro” building-read more here.

READ HOW INSPIRITUS HAS HELPED EMPOWER CHARLIE TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT

We continue to need your support to keep our programs and services well-equipped to make a difference. Please consider making your end-of-year donation to Inspiritus. We are so grateful for supporters like you. We wish you safe and healthy holiday season!

Day 20: Southeastern Tornadoes & Flood Response Update

Dear Friends,

Our disaster relief efforts in Georgia and Tennessee are still going strong following the devastating tornadoes and floods that ravaged the Southeast at the end of March.

We're so fortunate and grateful to be working closely with our local community partners, especially the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA, however we continue to need your support to keep our teams on the ground and well-equipped to make a difference.

Inspiritus’ Kevin Burgess led a group of Home Depot volunteers as they removed debris from homes impacted by these catastrophic tornadoes.

Below is how we're helping survivors in Newnan, Georgia and South Nashville, Tennessee:

GEORGIA:

Where:

Our teams are currently on the ground in Newnan. Special thanks to the Go Church for hosting us at one of their properties, the former Palmetto Church of God. The Inspiritus volunteer and housing operation center is located at 84 Smith Circle, Newnan GA 30265. We have space and capacity for additional volunteers to be housed safely at this location, so please consider joining us.

Who:

As of today, our Inspiritus staff and volunteers have completed:

• Over 215 volunteer hours

• 60 assessments

• 10 saw jobs

• 12 debris removal projects

What:

Inspiritus is collaborating with local churches and partners, including ITDRC, and the Siren Project to prepare to stay a few more weeks. We're supporting local families with damage and needs assessment coordination, debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, emotional and spiritual care, and other assistance as needed.

Our special thanks goes out to Home Depot and the Home Depot Foundation for their continued generosity and support as we empower disaster survivors on their journey from surviving to thriving!

#NewnanStrong

TENNESSEE:

Tennessee's flood event left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damages to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus has been on the ground in South Nashville since Monday evening, completing damage assessments for flood survivors. Special thanks to Christ Lutheran Church in Nashville for hosting us for this effort.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with our partners: Hands On Nashville, TN VOAD, and the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA.

What:

Our crews are currently assessing and preparing to provide the following services:

• muck & gut

• mold sanitation

• mitigation

• chainsaw

• debris removal

• sort & salvage

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you'd like to volunteer in Newnan, Georgia, please contact Sabrina More: sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

To volunteer in Nashville, please sign up through Hands On Nashville HERE

DONATE TODAY: click here or checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. Thank you for your continued prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 11: Southeastern Tornadoes & Flood Response Update

Dear Friends,

Inspiritus Disaster Response teams are providing relief in Newnan, Georgia and Middle Tennessee following the devastating southeastern tornadoes and floods that ravaged five states at the end of March.

Thousands of individuals have been impacted by these tragic weather events, and our hearts go out to each and every one of them.

Click the image below to see how you can help empower the survivors of the Southeastern Tornadoes & Floods:

Below is how we're helping survivors in Newnan, Georgia and Middle Tennessee:

GEORGIA:

Where:

Our teams are currently on the ground in Newnan. Special thanks to the Go Church for hosting us at one of their properties, the former Palmetto Church of God. The Inspiritus volunteer and housing operation center is located at 84 Smith Circle, Newnan GA 30265. We have space and capacity for additional volunteers to be housed safely at this location, so please consider joining us.

Additional thanks to Community Incident Response Foundation for loaning us their Shower Trailer for this effort, and Blue Diamond for loaning their skid loader.

Who:

Since Tuesday, Inspiritus has been training county staff and volunteers to conduct Damage Assessments across the region. Inspiritus staff and volunteers are on the ground now leading volunteer response teams with debris removal efforts. To date, 1700+ homes have been reported as affected by the tornadoes, and the count rises daily.

What:

Inspiritus is collaborating with local churches and partners, including Home Depot, the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA, ITDRC, and the Siren Project to prepare to stay in the weeks ahead. We're supporting local families with damage and needs assessment coordination, debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, emotional and spiritual care, and other assistance as needed.

#NewnanStrong

Inspiritus Volunteers on the ground

TENNESSEE:

Tennessee's flood event left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damages to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus disaster relief services have been requested to assist in flood response and recovery efforts in the Middle Tennessee region.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with local Emergency Management officials, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), the Tennessee VOAD, the SE Synod of the ELCA, and our local partners to assess and identify ways to help. In the weeks ahead, Inspiritus will be leading efforts to serve outside of the Nashville area in communities that haven't received sufficient assistance.

What:

Five Inspiritus volunteers are currently helping with the crisis cleanup phone lines, helping to process requests for assistance from local homeowners.

We are continuing to work with our partners to identify local unmet needs and will provide updates soon.

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you'd like to volunteer in Newnan, Georgia or Middle Tennessee, please contact Sabrina More: sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

DONATE TODAY: click here or checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee are in our prayers during this unprecedented time of disaster. Thank you for your prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 7: Southeastern Tornadoes & Flood Response Update

Dear Friends,

Inspiritus Disaster Response teams are providing relief in Newnan, Georgia and Middle Tennessee following the devastating southeastern tornadoes and floods that ravaged five states last week.

Thousands of individuals have been impacted by these tragic weather events, and our hearts go out to each and every one of them. The upcoming Easter holiday is a sacred time usually spent with family and friends, however, many of the individuals and families in these regions have lost everything.

Click on image below to see WSB-TV news coverage of Inspiritus' efforts in Newnan:

*Also, read more about Inspiritus and work we're doing on the ground in the latest issue of the Newnan-Times Herald

Below is how we're helping survivors:

GEORGIA:

Where:

The Newnan, GA tornado was one mile wide, and had a 170 mph maximum wind speed.

Our teams are currently on the ground in Newnan, GA where we have set up an operations office at the Coweta County Emergency Operations Center. The University of West Georgia has kindly provided 34 dormitory rooms, as well as, dinner for our volunteers during this response.

Who:

Since Tuesday, Inspiritus disaster relief lead construction manager, Kevin Burgess, along with a group of experts, have been training volunteers to conduct Home Damage Assessments across the region:

"It's a needs assessment training–we're training individuals to go out, knock on doors and ask questions of what is needed, how we can help, and then we're taking that information, bringing it back here, and we're using that information to get the proper volunteers and the proper resources to the right place."

– Kevin Burgess

What:

In Newnan, GA, Inspiritus is collaborating with local churches and partners, including the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and Home Depot, to prepare to stay in the weeks ahead. We're supporting local families with damage and needs assessment coordination, management of the volunteer reception center, debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, emotional and spiritual care, and other assistance as needed.

Kevin Burgess with Pastor Terry Lemons, Pastor of Newnan Chapel UMC, the congregation that hosted our training for all damage assessors.

TENNESSEE:

Tennessee's flood event last Saturday has left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damages to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus disaster relief services have been requested to assist in flood response efforts in the Middle Tennessee region.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with local Emergency Management officials, the SE Synod of the ELCA, and our local partners to assess and identify ways to help.

What:

Inspiritus is providing remote volunteers to help with the crisis cleanup phone lines and intake requests for assistance from local homeowners.

We are working with partners to identify local unmet needs and will provide updates soon.

Inspiritus' Kevin Burgess coordinating volunteers on the ground

ALABAMA:

The Birmingham, Alabama tornado destroyed homes and lives, causing major damage to communities across Central Alabama.

Special thanks to John Boettner, the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, and the many generous individuals and groups who helped host our volunteers last week.

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you'd like to volunteer in the Southeastern Tornadoes and Flood response efforts, please contact Sabrina More: sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

Inspiritus is coordinating volunteers from local communities and afar. People are contacting us from all over the country, and we have volunteers flying in from as far away as Washington and Michigan to help out on the ground. Volunteers are even helping remotely from their homes, supporting Crisis Cleanup requests in Nashville, as well as other opportunities across all three states.

DONATE TODAY: click here

Checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE
Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee are in our prayers during this unprecedented time of disaster. Thank you for your prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

This Good Friday: A Message From John Moeller

Dear friends and colleagues,

I hope each of you are looking forward to a long Easter weekend. As a faith-based organization, Inspiritus recognizes Good Friday as a holiday. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the holiday, on Good Friday Christians commemorate the passion, suffering and ultimately gruesome death of their Lord, Jesus Christ, on a cross at the hands of fellow human beings. It is the beginning of a 3 day vigil that chronicles Jesus’ death, burial and culminates with the celebration of His resurrection from the grave.

I find the weekend particularly meaningful because of the suffering and trauma that our staff and I see every day in our shared ministry at Inspiritus with people. At any given time we are either suffering ourselves or suffering with another human being. Our lives, our work and the lives of those whom we accompany are full of struggle. Sometimes the struggle is very dark and grim and death ensues. For sure, death is a very present danger in our work.

While Good Friday is about death, the Easter story culminates in a resurrection. And that’s what I want to draw your attention to this weekend. While our lives are intricately woven together with our clients and together are full of heartache and challenge, we at Inspiritus also get the benefit of seeing life triumph over death. We witness storm victims celebrating their very lives in the midst of losing every worldly possession. We witness children who are placed in our foster care, tenaciously clinging to life with little hope for a healthy future, awaken in the loving embrace of a foster family.

We witness adults who have intellectual or developmental disabilities move from a limited existence to a vibrant life in the care of host home support companions. We witness daily the return of life to the eyes of refugees and asylum seekers who, fleeing death upon their arrival in our presence, could offer nothing but blank stares and weary eyes. We witness ever present smiles and words of gratitude in food bank lines despite the fact that they have to come to make ends meet week after long week. Everyday individuals and families that the world has written off are painstakingly stitched back together, relationships are healed and life is reborn.

Our work is holy. Our work is resurrection work. You and I ultimately believe that life triumphs over death. Let us never forget this truth.

God bless you during this season and always!

Rev. John R. Moeller, Jr

President & CEO of Inspiritus

Day 5: Southeastern Tornadoes & Flood Response Update

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday, a wave of tornadoes rolled across five southern states, leaving at least six people dead and inflicting heavy damage in its wake. Saturday evening, Nashville, Tennessee experienced the fourth worst flood in the state’s history. This flood has taken the lives of six people, and left hundreds coping with flooded cars, apartments, and homes.

Inspiritus has been called in to help in Birmingham, Alabama; Newnan, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee. We've been assembling our three responses and want to give an update on the progress in each of these regions:

ALABAMA:

The Birmingham, Alabama tornado destroyed homes and lives, causing major damage to communities across Central Alabama.

Where:

Inspiritus has set up volunteer operations and a housing station at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL.

Who:

From this site, we will be providing volunteer response services to the communities impacted (such as Pelham and Columbiana).

What:

In Birmingham, we’re coordinating with Southeastern Synod of ELCA and several congregations who are generously providing meals and airport transportation for our disaster response volunteers.

Our disaster relief volunteers are providing free debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, and other assistance as needed.

GEORGIA:

Where:

The Newnan, GA tornado was one mile wide, and had a 170 mph maximum wind speed.

Our teams are currently on the ground in Newnan, GA where we have set up an operations office at the Coweta County Emergency Operations Center. The University of West Georgia has kindly provided 34 dormitory rooms, as well as, dinner for our volunteers during this response.

Who:

Inspiritus staff, Kevin Burgess, and volunteers are helping officials setup and open the local Volunteer Reception Center. Staff have begun to train local county staff and volunteers to conduct Home Damage Assessments across the region. We will assist with coordinating all spontaneous volunteer efforts and support for local families through this center.

What:

In Newnan, GA, Inspiritus is collaborating with local churches and partners, including the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to prepare to stay on the ground in the weeks ahead to support local families with debris removal and emotional and spiritual care.

Our disaster relief volunteers are providing free debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, and other assistance as needed.

Yesterday, volunteers brought in much needed tools, provided courtesy of the Atlanta Community Tool Bank.

TENNESSEE:

Torrential rains slammed into the Nashville region Saturday night, causing rivers and creeks throughout 4 counties to flood. This flood event has left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damages to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus disaster relief services have been requested to assist in flood response efforts in the Middle Tennessee region.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with local Emergency Management officials, the SE Synod of the ELCA, and our local partners to assess and identify ways to help.

What:

Inspiritus is providing remote volunteers to help with the crisis cleanup phone lines and intake requests for assistance from local homeowners.

We are working with partners to identify local unmet needs and will provide updates soon.

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you'd like to volunteer in the Southeastern Tornadoes and Flood response efforts, please contact Sabrina More: sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

Inspiritus is coordinating volunteers from local communities and afar. People are contacting us from all over the country, and we have volunteers flying in from as far away as Washington and Michigan to help out on the ground. Volunteers are even helping remotely from their homes, supporting Crisis Cleanup requests in Nashville, as well as other opportunities across all three states.

DONATE TODAY: click here

Checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE
Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee are in our prayers during this unprecedented time of disaster. Thank you for your prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 1: Preparing to Help After Deadly Tornadoes

A wave of tornadoes rolled across five southern states on Thursday, leaving at least six people dead and inflicting heavy damage in its wake. Fourteen tornadoes alone were reported in Alabama, according to the National Weather Service. All in all, there were 22 tornado reports across Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. (CNN)

Inspiritus stands ready to help as part of our ongoing commitment to assisting impacted communities with basic needs, stability and safety, and we are currently in touch with on-the-ground authorities and partners in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Image c/o Patch/Alabama

Your prayers and donations are critical during this time. We could not do the work we do without your generosity. Financial donations to Inspiritus now, or in the earliest days of a response, support us in deploying a team of staff and skilled volunteers to assess need and establish a response program on the ground as soon as it is safe to do so.

Our disaster relief teams are preparing to help lead volunteers in debris removal, chain-sawing, roof tarping, and other supports to damaged homes and properties. Please consider volunteering to help. We will update you soon with details of where and when we could use your assistance.

To stay on top of our latest information, please follow us on our website weinspirit.org and on all our social channels found at the bottom of this email.

We will continue to keep you informed on any plans for an organized disaster response as they develop. Our hearts are heavy for those impacted by these terrible tornadoes. Please join us in prayer for their swift recovery.

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 18: Hear from Disaster Volunteers on the Ground Now

Volunteers on the Ground in Tennessee

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Three weeks ago, Winter Storm Uri created widespread destruction in Overton County, Tennessee. Inspiritus disaster response teams have been on the ground since the storm, providing residents with free chainsaw services to their homes and property.

So far we've completed:

• 104+ hours of heavy equipment operation

• Over 140 project site assessments

• Over 111 jobs

• Over 1,700 volunteer hours

This rapid response effort would not be possible without the support from our partners: Airbnb, Airlink, Home Depot, Overton County, and Christian Emergency Network.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you would like to help empower disaster survivors on their journey from surviving to thriving, come volunteer with us.

We have 2 long-term recovery programs in progress in Southwest Georgia and Cookeville, Tennessee.

We invite you to join us as we help our neighbors recover from the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Michael and the 2020 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes.

• Due to a lack of volunteers in Southwest Georgia, Inspiritus is having to outsource work to contractors…which allows us to help fewer people.

• A lack of volunteers also means that it is taking longer to bring these people home!

If you'd like to volunteer in these recovery efforts in Southwest Georgia and Middle Tennessee, please contact Sabrina More, our Lead Disaster Case Manager / Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Winter Storm Uri. In the meantime, please follow our social media channels @weareinspiritus for the latest news.

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking on the button below. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Inspiritus is also partnering with Overton-Pickett Emergency Communications to host a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, March 13th:

We will be checking in volunteers and handling the logistics to efficiently assign project site work orders. If you live in the Overton County surrounding area and would like to join us, please contact Sabrina More, our Lead Disaster Case Manager / Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

Day 8: TN Response Update

Day 8: TN Winter Response Going Strong

At least 12 people died after last week's winter storm in Middle Tennessee. Winter storm Uri plunged temperatures to below the freezing mark and left thousands of households without power.

Overton County was hit particularly hard. The Emergency Manager for Overton County and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency called Inspiritus in to help. We rapidly deployed several of our volunteer chainsaw teams to begin clearing roadways to ensure the electric company could restore power to households.

We've had over 425 requests for help in Overton County. Now our disaster response teams are assisting homeowners and offering free chainsaw services to their homes and property.

Today, the team is setting up a new base at the Livingston Police Academy. The Heritage Academy (out of Cookeville, TN) is bringing in trained sawyers and swampers to join us daily. They will also be graciously cooking and providing all our dinner meals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Inspiritus has received hundreds of requests asking for assistance and we are looking for volunteers! If you'd like to volunteer on this response, please sign up here.

AirLink is flying our teams in for this response, and as of now, our confirmed volunteers are from: Washington, Michigan, Oregon, and California. Some volunteers are driving in from Kentucky, Georgia, and Indiana. We are so grateful for these kind souls helping with our on the ground relief efforts!

Special thanks to these partners for making this effort possible: Airbnb, Airlink, Home Depot, Overton County, and Christian Emergency Network.

We are preparing for a multi-week response, so we can continue to empower Middle TN residents on their journey from surviving to thriving. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by this deadly storm. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking on the button below. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Middle Tennessee Ice Storm Response

Overton County, TN Rapid Response

Over the last week, Middle Tennessee has been impacted by snow from the winter storm that is currently sweeping the nation. This unprecedented change in temperatures has brought significant freezing rain to eastern Middle Tennessee.

Freezing rain and the weight of ice (and additional snow) have caused countless trees to snap and break–bringing down hundreds of power lines. Overton County was hit particularly hard.

We coordinated with the Emergency Manager for Overton County and TEMA to rapidly deploy several Inspiritus volunteer chainsaw teams (10 people each team) to begin clearing roadways to ensure the electric company could restore power to thousands of households.

We are deeply saddened that this storm has taken the lives of six Tennesseans so far, four of whom resided in Middle Tennessee. Outages have been reported in nine counties throughout the region – leaving thousands of residents in the dark.

Inspiritus received an additional request asking for 6-10 teams to assist with delivering welfare checks throughout the affected communities. We have organized and deployed additional teams to assist with these efforts – monitoring roadways and tending to clearing fallen trees if necessary to ensure delivery of these checks.

Please consider donating to support our disaster relief work. We couldn't do what we do without your help. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer

Chief Development Officer

Inspiritus

Hurricane Zeta: Day 11: Georgia Response Update

Day 11: Georgia Response Update

Our chainsaw crews are still working hard in Georgia to help residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from Hurricane Zeta.

The above & below photos illustrate the extensive damage one homeowner experienced after Zeta barrelled through their property. As pictured, their home needed serious repair and their car was totaled. This poor homeowner had just moved into their new home five days before Zeta hit.

Our whole volunteer team has been working daily to cut trees, remove debris and tarp roofs for homeowners who need a little extra help.

To date, 21 jobs have been completed since this rapid response began just two weeks ago.

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and a new volunteer base in Marietta, GA, thanks to the kind generosity of AirBnB and McEachern Memorial UMC. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

Curt got to work with his chainsaw and quickly removed the trees and debris from one homeowner's car and new house.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

2020 is the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, as there have been 29 named storms. Unfortunately, the season isn't over until November 30th and Hurricane Eta is currently circling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Disaster Response is made possible through partnerships with:

Our Hurricane Zeta Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Day 6: Georgia Response Update

Day 6: Georgia Response Update

Our chainsaw crews have been on the ground since Sunday helping residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from Hurricane Zeta. We've been working daily to cut trees, remove debris and tarp roofs for homeowners who need a little extra help.

Our volunteers are an inspiring group. They hail from places as far away as AZ, MA, MI, KY, and of course, GA. Our CEO, John Moeller, joined us this week to volunteer, too. John frequently joins our disaster relief responses, and we are so grateful for his help.

Homeowner, Starr Swims, pictured outside her home

John told us a wonderful story about two homeowners he met; Starr and Billy Swims. Starr and Billy were exhausted from having to deal with 14 downed trees on their property. One struck one side of the house, and another ripped the electrical box right off their house. They tried to remove some of the tree limbs themselves, but due to Billy's health problems, plus the amount of debris, it proved to be too much for them.

They were overjoyed when they learned from the Bartow EMA that help might be available through Inspiritus. Our dedicated volunteer crew showed up and immediately got down to work clearing all the trees and debris off their property. Starr and Billy were so touched by the hard work of our volunteers, Starr cooked up a delicious meal for our volunteers.

"Starr Swims made her signature dish for lunch - chicken and dumplings, corn bread and sweet tea. It was divine and a real treat for volunteers from Arizona and Massachusetts who were trying the meal for the first time. Mmmmm."

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and a new volunteer base in Marietta, GA, thanks to the kind generosity of AirBnB and McEachern Memorial UMC. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Disaster Response is made possible through partnerships with:

Our Hurricane Zeta Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Chainsawers On the Ground in Georgia

Chainsaw Volunteers on the Ground in Georgia

Hurricane Zeta swept quickly through Georgia last week with over 50 mph winds leaving downed trees, power lines, and damaged homes in its' wake.

Our chainsaw crews have been on the ground since Sunday helping residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from this latest deadly storm.

Chainsaw crews and other heavy equipment operators are just some of our home heroes during a disaster. Here's an inspiring story about one of our volunteers:

Preston Mintz donated his time volunteering as a heavy equipment operator in Orange Beach after Hurricane Sally. After Preston returned to his home in North Carolina, he invited his church to donate to our disaster relief efforts. And donate they did. We just received $5,000 from the Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church in North Carolina to support disaster relief. Thank you, Preston, for being a Home Hero.

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and are preparing to setup a volunteer base camp at McEachern UMC in Cobb County. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Rapid Response in Georgia

Hurricane Zeta: Rapid Response in Georgia

HURRICANE ZETA

Hurricane Zeta hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, leaving over 2.5 million customers without power and at least 3 people dead.

Early this morning, Zeta swept through metro Atlanta and parts of NW Georgia with over 50 mph winds creating a wake of downed trees and power lines. The last time metro Atlanta was under such a threat was October 2018 as Hurricane Michael passed over the region. More than 1 million homes and businesses are currently without power (CNN).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Inspiritus' disaster relief teams are currently assessing regions from metro Atlanta to parts of NW Georgia, and will be putting chainsaw teams to work (as early as tomorrow) to aid in this latest storm crisis clean-up.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.