Day 18: Updates from the Gulf Coast
/
INSPIRITUS DISASTER RELIEF: ON THE GROUND IN ALABAMA
HURRICANE SALLY
It’s a "mini reunion" for our Hurricane Sally response team in Orange Beach, Alabama. Volunteers from other disaster response missions have come together again to help homeowners recover from this latest storm.
The Rothrock Foundation is still here, generously providing delicious meals to all our staff members and volunteers on the ground. A shower trailer has been loaned to us by the Alabama St. Clair Baptist Association. Three dedicated ladies from this association will be providing laundry services for each of our volunteers. Special thanks to these ladies for serving as representatives of the St. Clair Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief (SBC Disaster Relief).
Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The Island Church in Orange Beach for housing our response team, as well as providing a large garage for staging and storing all our tools and equipment.
The damages are extensive from this latest hurricane:
• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture
• Extensive chainsawing and roof tarping services are needed to remove downed trees and protect damaged homes from further water damages.
HURRICANE LAURA
Last week, our Inspiritus disaster response team evacuated from Southwest Louisiana due to the threat from Tropical Storm Beta.
There is more work to be done. It's not too late to donate to efforts there. Thrivent is still matching your donations.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the 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. Whether in the immediate days following a disaster or years after its initial impact, the vital work of disaster ministry has been a priority for the Southeastern Synod for many years.
The 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.
Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.
To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.
Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.
Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.
Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus
Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.
