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CHERRY LOG CHURCH SEEKS
SUPPLIES FOR FLOOD-RAVAGED IOWA
In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita nearly
three years ago, relief agencies throughout the United States are
reviewing what was done successfully and revamping ideas for practical
response to future events. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
response comes through the Disciple Home Missions branch from Week of
Compassion funding. They have decided to train long-term volunteers for
work in mission stations to serve three- to four-week assignments
wherever needed. As part of this effort they are sending assistance
teams to locations around Cedar Rapids, Iowa to help with demolition,
cleaning, and repair in the flood-ravaged area.
 Cherry
Log Christian Church seeks to fill a 25-foot trailer that has been
donated for this purpose by Doyle and Caroline Carder of Sisson Log
Homes. The trailer will be stationed at the Cherry Log church to accept
donations of needed items from the community until July 25 and will
leave for Iowa on July 28.
Items needed at this time include demolition tools
(new or used in good condition) such as wheel barrows, crow/pry bars,
hammers, nail pullers, reciprocating saws, skil saws, cordless drills,
heavy duty extension cords, gfci plugs, square tip shovels, rakes,
non-allergenic latex gloves, work gloves (both cotton and leather),
safety glasses, work lights, coolers and water jugs, extra heavy trash
bags, rubber shoe covers, etc. They also need cleaning tools and
products such as bleach and garden sprayers, cleaning solutions, brooms
(both straw and push), sponges and rags, mops and buckets, pressure
washers (electric or gas), hoses, etc. Cash donations are always welcome
to buy miscellaneous supplies still needed.
Pattie Williams, member of
Cherry Log Christian
Church, has trained with
Disciples Home Missions as a Mission Station
Manager. Station Managers serve on-site to coordinate work for victims
of disasters, to liaison between agencies including civic, government
and religious-based groups, to host work teams sent from individual
churches, to keep inventory of tools and equipment, and to serve in
administrative capacities, etc. The goal of Disciples Home Missions is
not to be the first group into a disaster, but to be the last out;
therefore, their commitment for Katrina and Rita was ten years and now
for flood-ravaged Iowa is for at least five years.
Williams will be the first Mission Station Manager in
Cedar Rapids, IA, setting up the facility that will be housed in one of
the Disciple churches and working into the loop of already functioning
agencies. Pattie and her husband, Rex, plan to use part of their
semi-retirement time in this way and seek to fill the 25-foot trailer
with donated materials from residents and businesses in the community.
They feel that those who can donate are the feet and hands of God in
serving others.
Donated items should be taken to
Cherry Log Christian Church at
1149 Cherry Log Street. Arrangements can be made for pickup if
necessary. For more information, call Pattie Williams at 706-374-2192 or
352-422-5934, or the church office at 706-632-1048.
Craddock Center
Click
Here to learn about the Craddock Center at Cherry Log. |
