MIDWEST FLOODING

7/4/08 UPDATE-- YOU ARE NEEDED!! We have had to stop accepting applications for assistance (for now)in Cedar Rapids, IA. We currently have over 500 FAMILIES requesting assistance with their houses. We also just received a call from the Council on Aging requesting assistance for many elderly residents. MANY HAVE NO INSURANCE!! WE NEED YOU-- please help by praying, volunteering and sending financial donations no matter how small. With all of us working together we can reach out and help so many who are in desperate need.

6/30/08 (UPDATE)-Click on the blog link to the left to see the exciting ways GOD is working in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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(UPDATE) VOLUNTEERS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED IN CEDAR RAPIDS!! PLEASE CLICK ON BLOG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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DRT has been in contact with and is helping several congregations of the Churches of Christ in the flood stricken areas of the Midwest. These congregations want to reach out to their members and communities, however they need help with funding to continue their relief efforts. Please partner with us in assisting them in this way by clicking on the link to the right to donate or by postal mail: Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team Melbourne Church of Christ 810 Hollywood Blvd. West Melbourne, Florida 32904 Please see blog for pictures and email from one of the elders at Cedar Rapids.

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DRT coordinators and equipment are in Iowa working with the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are also in contact with congregations in Missouri and helping them with setting up relief efforts in areas that are flooded. THERE ARE OVER 5,000 HOMES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED JUST IN CEDAR RAPIDS ALONE and MANY OF THESE HAVE NO FLOOD INSURANCE!! If you are a congregation that has made up Care Packs for us, please contact Laura (937-308-2259) to receive shipping directions. The following is a list of needed items for the flood ravaged areas. To donate, please contact Laura.

  1. Financial Donations
  2. Volunteers
  3. Small kitchen appliances (new or very good condition please)
  4. Cases of Dust Masks.
  5. Care Packs (email for a list of items to go into care packs).
  6. Diapers

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FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR THIS AND UPCOMING DISASTERS THIS YEAR. DRT PUCHASES THE FOOD THAT IS SERVED TO ENTIRE COMMUNITIES IN THE DISASTER AREAS AS WELL AS BUILDING MATERIALS, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, TOOLS, DEBRIS REMOVAL, ETC. 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

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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!!

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Please keep checking the blog and web site for further information or feel free to give us a call. 937-308-2259

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A REMINDER OF WHAT THE DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM OFFERS:

  1. Trained 1st Response Volunteer Coordinators brought in to help your congregation set up a relief effort working with distribution, clean up and rebuilding phases.
  2. 30' Commerical Mobile Kitchen Unit brought in to serve 3,000-5,000 meals/day to community and volunteers.
  3. 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.
  4. RV's brought in to help house volunteers.
  5. Shower trailer for volunteer use.
  6. Database of thousands of volunteers who have signed up with DRT that are called in to work.
  7. DRT helps to purchase food and building material.

GULF COAST UPDATE (KATRINA)

DRT is keeping in touch with the congregations along the gulf coast. We continue to send volunteers and building material to help those who are still in such desperate need. **** So many of you have made such a tremendous impact on the lives of people in the gulf coast. You have prayed, written encouragement letters, assembled care packs. You’ve gutted out nasty houses, cut trees, hung drywall (or sheetrock as they call it in the south), taped drywall, listened to the stories (sometimes over and over) of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. You’ve cooked meals, hugged necks, led Bible studies, baptized those who were ready to put on Christ. You have allowed GOD to work through you to show HIS love. You have made a difference in the lives of those you may have just met and even those who you may never meet. Over 4,400 of you have volunteered, helping over 5,600 families. There has been over $800,000.00 in building material purchased just in the areas we've been working. 15 local schools helped, 400 backpacks given to school children, Over 5,000 meals cooked and served and hundreds of baptisms!!! PRAISE GOD!!

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

Send mail to webmaster@churchesofchristdrt.org with questions or comments about this web site.

Galatians 6:10

..as we have opportunity, let us do good to...all...especially to those of the household of faith.

Acts 10:38

Jesus...who went about doing good...

Titus 3:14

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good...

Are you in the midst of a disaster?

If you find yourself in the midst of a disaster, please call the Disaster Response Team at 937-308-2259. We want very much to be of service to God by serving you!

More Info

We would be happy to provide any further information you might require. We are available to come to your congregation for a presentation of past relief efforts. Please call the Disaster Response Team to schedule a presentation.