By Jeff Brumley
With assessments conducted and even some initial responses underway, disaster responders with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are now calling for volunteers for long-term tornado recovery projects.
CBF U.S. Disaster Response Director Tommy Deal today issued a call for help in three Southern states hit hard by a wave of tornadoes in late April.
“Individuals and churches wanting to plug-in in the months to come are encouraged now to connect with the point of contact in the state of interest,” Deal said in his Friday email blast to Fellowship Baptists.
Long-term help is needed in Arkansas, where the state CBF organization has been working with Texas Baptist Disaster Recovery with debris removal and repairs in the Little Rock area. Potential volunteers are urged to contact Roy Peterson at rpeterson@cbfar.org or by phone at 501.590.6669.
Volunteers also are sought in Athens, Tuscaloosa and Mobile, Ala., where Alabama CBF and the national Fellowship are providing money to enable local churches to provide assistance to families in need, Deal said. To volunteer there, contact Lucas Dorion at lucas@alabamacbf.org or at 205.718.9443.
In Mississippi, Jim Kirkendall is coordinating long-term response for communities hard-hit by April storms. He may be reached at chapsky3@yahoo.com or 228.229.3331.
Deal also urged Baptists to contribute online to the long-term recovery needs of these and other communities. Donors may also give by sending checks to CBF Disaster Response Ministries, P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, GA 30392. Make checks payable to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship with “Disaster Response-17000” in the memo line.