Central Church of Christ (Churches In Christ Disaster Response Team on site) - 2008 MidWest Floods Response

Per call to Laura Creamens 8/1/08:

-Distribution on site shut down about 1 week ago
-They have assisted 692 families with mud out/muck out & drywalling
-Volunteers are now focused on the remnants of clean up/rebuilding phase
-They are drywalling at residences that are dryed out (still lots that need drying out phase to be completed)
-Families that register for help have always been on a 'first come first serve' basis but they do prioritize elderly or special needs families
-They can house 125 volunteers at this church site. They have a shower unit for volunteers, no laundry but a laundromat is local & they are providing meals to volunteers. Fee to stay at the church in a volunteer capacity is to be discussed when making arrangements to commit to a volunteer stay
-They have 55 volunteers coming in Sun. 8/3/08
-They've had a total of 223 volunteers come through since they arrived 6/08
-They have a blog that is currently being updated this weekend at: disasterresponseteam.blogspot.com
-Current URGENT need is drywall (type will be communicated to me when Laura speaks to the supplies volunteer over the weekend)
-Unaffiliated volunteers are welcome
-They have Coordinators on site trained in Disaster Relief
-They have an online registry for volunteers

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Per email from Laura Creamens 7/9/08:

Please note that this facility is no longer accepting applications at this time for residential clean up. They have 500 families on a waiting list for mud outs. If and when the list opens up again, we will repost the availability.

Distribution hours have also changed. They will no longer be open on Sundays but will still be open:

9 am - 6 pm M-Sat.

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LTel 6/23/08 - Per Call to Laura Creamens:

The Central Church of Christ (in coordination with the Churches in Christ Disaster Relief Team) is organizing Mud-Out/Muck Out Volunteer Crews. There is an ongoing great need for volunteers in this capactity.

All tools/supplies will be provided to volunteers (ie. gloves/boots/N95 masks, etc.). However, if you have those items, please bring and use them to help reserve these types of supplies!

If you'd like to coordinate your volunteer services, please contact Laura Creamans at:

disasterrelief@hotmail.com

If you call (1-937-308-2259), please leave a message and Laura will get back to you

The Central Church of Christ (in coordination with the Churches in Christ Disaster Relief Team) is a Donation Collection site as well as a distribution site.

Needs are as follows:

Baby Items (ie. diapers/wipes/formula)
Cleaning Supplies (Especially BLEACH)
Clothing (NEW ONLY)

If you are donating cleaning supplies, their volunteers will be 'kitting' them to hand out to survivors.

Distribution/Donation Collection hours are: 9 am - 6 pm M-Sat.

If you'd like to coordinate a large bulk donation, please contact Laura Creamans:

1-937-308-2259 or email her at disasterrelief@hotmail.com

(They've been able to receive large bulk donations delivered by semi's at this site!)

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FROM THE WEBSITE 6/22/08:

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. Tens of thousands are out of their homes 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)

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TO HELP WITH THESE DISASTERS AS WELL AS FUTURE DISASTERS --

PLEASE MAIL TO:
MELBOURNE CHURCH OF CHRIST
C/O CHURCHES OF CHRIST DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM
810 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
WEST MELBOURNE, FL. 32904

OR -- YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION ELECTRONICALLY HERE ON THE WEBSITE.

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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 DO SO 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.