DRT WORK CAMP
** Click on the link to the blog for a look into the daily life of the DRT Directors as well as updates and pictures on DRT events as well as Disaster Info and Preparation.**
DRT is conducting a work camp at our Troy, Ohio location July 6-11. We'll be organizing supplies, cleaning, painting and servicing tools and equipment, organizing tool and supply trailers, building shelving, making up "Packs of Love" care packs. If you are interested in attending, please click on the "volunteer sign up" link to fill out a registration form. VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY REGISTERED:
Mid-County Church of Christ, Troy, Ohio
21st St. Church of Christ, Clovis, New Mexico
***We are still in need of a cook for this week -- If you can help with this please email Laura @ disasterrelief@hotmail.com
***************************************************
JUNE, 2009
DRT just completed a week long work camp at our Florida Equipment Site in High Springs, Florida. Many of the DRT Coordinators were able to attend and spent the week organizing and cleaning trailers and supplies as well as enjoying the fellowship while planning for future disasters. DRT coordinators attending came from Iowa, Texas, Virginia, Ohio as well as help from Tommy Mikells of the Alachua Church of Christ, Alachua, Florida. We'd like to thank the members of the Alachua Church of Christ for the support that they continue to give DRT. We are very thankful and appreciate you very much!
*******************************************
The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (DRT) is not currently deployed in a disaster area. However we are scheduling summer "mystery work camps" for groups. Please call Laura for more information 937-308-2259 or email at disasterrelief@hotmail.com Please fill out a registration form to the left of the page under "volunteer sign up" to schedule your trip.
3/9/09--HURRICANE IKE/2009 ICE STORM--UPDATES
2009 ICE STORMS
KENTUCKY
The coordinator and volunteers that were working in the Mayfield, KY area have now closed the DRT work in that area and are taking some needed and much deserved rest before the next disaster. We are so thankful to the awesome volunteers who spent many hours and accomplished much during the clean up phase in that area. We are thankful and appreciative of the area congregations in and surrounding the Mayfield area for their wonderful hospitality and willingness to reach out to their communities through disaster relief. Our next step will be picking up the generators from Marion, KY and the tool trailer and pick up truck from Mayfield.
ARKANSAS
The Ash Flat Church of Christ has completed their relief effort and is no longer in need of the DRT tool trailer and chain saws, etc. We appreciate the Ash Flat Church for their willingness to reach out through disaster relief providing much needed help as well as the wonderful influence they had on their community. STILL NEEDED: someone to pick up the DRT tool trailer from Ash Flat and either drop it at Crowleys Ridge College in Paragould, AR. or (preferrably) stop in Paragould, pick up DRT supplies previously left, then take trailer and supplies on to Mayfield, KY. **PLEASE LET US KNOW BY EMAIL OR BY CALLING MARK AT 937-308-0035 IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS.** UPDATE- Thanks to Crowleys Ridge College- They picked up the DRT trailer from Ash Flat and brought back to Paragould, AR. :-)
HURRICANE IKE
BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS
DRT closed the Relief Operations Site in Bridge City, Texas on March 31. DRT has been on site since September, 2008 immediately following Hurricane Ike. We've had the pleasure of working with the Bridge City Church of Christ and the 9th and Elm Church of Christ in Orange, TX. You have been an inspiration to all of us and we will miss you! We also witnessed such serving hearts and attitudes from so many congregations surrounding Bridge City as they unselfishly put many of their own work aside to come and help and become a vital part of DRT. We are also so thankful to over 3,000 volunteers who took time out of their schedules to come and serve the Orange County community through the many opportunities that were available as well as those that have donated financially, sent supplies and have prayed for the efforts here. You all have shown generous, serving attitudes and have been such a wonderful example showing the LOVE OF JESUS in this community.
BLESSINGS IN BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS THROUGH DRT
- Over 2200 Total Families Assisted With Supplies/House Repair.
- Over 100 Houses Gutted/Cleaned Out
- Over 90 Houses Provided with Rebuilding Assistance. Sheetrock, Insulation, Plywood, Labor, etc.
- Over 200 (other) Houses Assisted with Yard Work, etc.
- Over 48,000 Home Cooked Meals Served to Community and Volunteers.
- Over 3000 Volunteers housed, fed and work provided to.
- Many Bible Studies conducted by the local churches from DRT contacts-This work is ongoing. Over 2,000 contacts given to the local churches for follow up.
The local congregations will continue to help the community with volunteer labor, etc. If you are skilled in rebuilding and would like to volunteer, please contact Bert Black with the Bridge City Church of Christ or Barry Jones with the 9th and Elm Church of Christ in Orange.
Still Needed:
Semi driver w/tractor to bring DRT semi trailer from Bridge City to Ohio. UPDATE--5/4/09--semi trailer is now back at our Florida location :-)
2/9/09 ICE STORM UPDATE
With the help of many of you partnering with DRT either financially or through equipment donations the following has been accomplished so far through DRT efforts in response to the Ice Storms.
Marion, KY. Church of Christ -- (16) Generators delivered, DRT volunteers sent in.
********
Hillcrest Church of Christ/Crowleys Ridge College, Paragould, AR.-- DRT Chain saw crews sent in, DRT cook sent in with food and equipment to cook for volunteers, etc., (5) generators delivered.
********
Ash Flat Church of Christ, Ash Flat, AR.-- Trailer load of food and (7) chain saws delivered.
********
Mayfield, KY. -- DRT chain saw crew sent in, tool trailer delivered with (1) generator, (14) chain saws, (4) Kerosene Heaters, tarps, wheel barrows, rakes, etc. and use of DRT pick up truck. ****This is the site for area congregations to pick up needed DRT tools and equipment. **Lone Oak COC, North Side COC, Pottsville COC, Benton COC, Glendale Rd. COC (Murray, KY), Lebanon COC (Sedalia, KY)as well as others in the surrounding areas.
******************
**All equipment delivered to disaster areas are on a "loaner" type basis. When there is no longer a need for the equipment in these areas, DRT will pick up the equipment and service it, making it ready and available for another disaster. The DRT leadership makes sure your funds are put to the best possible use.**
**********************************************
Donations can be made through PayPal or by Postal Mail To:
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
810 Hollywood Blvd.
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
************************************
FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING DISASTERS THIS YEAR. DRT PURCHASES THE FOOD THAT IS SERVED TO ENTIRE COMMUNITIES IN THE DISASTER AREAS AS WELL AS BUILDING MATERIALS, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, TOOLS, DEBRIS REMOVAL, ETC. FOR THOSE WITHOUT/UNDER INSURED.
IF YOU FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO HELP IN THIS WAY, YOU MAY SEND FUNDS ELECTRONICALLY ONLINE OR BY POSTAL MAIL TO:
CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM C/O MELBOURNE CHURCH OF CHRIST 810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA 32904
****************************************
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE OR WOULD LIKE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED PLEASE CALL 937-308-2259. PLEASE KEEP THESE FAMILIES IN YOUR PRAYERS!!
***************************************
Please keep checking the blog and web site for further information or feel free to give us a call. 937-308-2259 or 937-308-0035
***************************************
A REMINDER OF WHAT THE DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM OFFERS:
- Trained 1st Response Volunteer Coordinators brought in to help your congregation set up a relief effort working with distribution, clean up and rebuilding phases.
- 30' Commerical Mobile Kitchen Unit brought in to serve 3,000-4,000 meals/day to community and volunteers.
- 1st Response Semi Tool Trailer and several additional stocked tool trailers brought in loaded with generators, chain saws, shovels, hammers, wheelbarrows, basically any tool that will be needed by volunteers.
- RV's brought in to help house volunteers.
- Shower trailer for volunteer use.
- Database of thousands of volunteers who have signed up with DRT that are called in to work.
- DRT helps to purchase food and building material.
Our Vision
The task before us is to bring the Good News of the Gospel to disaster survivors. Our commitment is to strengthen the local church. Many people and organizations will come and go during the course of a disaster, but it is the local church that can be the enduring reminder that love and support was found and help was given. Therefore, we commit ourselves to work with the local congregations to effectively and efficiently serve disaster survivors in Christ's name so they will find truth and hope.
Who We Are And What We Do
The Disaster Response Team is immediately available to the local congregation(s) in the disaster stricken area. The purpose of the Disaster Response Team is to aid the local congregation in recruiting and receiving volunteers to assist with the emotional and spiritual needs of the disaster victims and to assist them in the clean-up and rebuilding stage. The Disaster Response Team will bring the following to the disaster site to aid the local congregation in reaching out to their community:
- Mobile Kitchen
- Mobile Shower Trailer
- Trained Coordinators
- Completely stocked tool trailers
- Health kits
- Clean-Up kits
- Baby kits
- School kits
Types of Disasters
The Disaster Response Team may be called upon to respond to a wide variety of disasters. Some have natural causes. Others are related to human activity. Natural Disasters include floods, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes. Human related disasters encompass such tragedies as fires, explosions and terrorist related activities.
How to Help
Please keep the Disaster Response Team in your prayers along with those affected by disasters. Skilled or unskilled, God can use you for this work. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering for future relief efforts, whether it be for a day, a week, or longer, you may call the Disaster Response Team at 937-308-2259.
Contact Information
The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team is overseen by the Melbourne Church of Christ Elders, Melbourne, FL.
Telephone
- 937-308-2259
Postal address
- 810 Hollywood Blvd, West Melbourne, FL 32904
Electronic mail
- General Information: info@churchesofchristdrt.org
- Webmaster: webmaster@churchesofchristdrt.org
Send mail to webmaster@churchesofchristdrt.org with questions or comments about this web site.