Camp Hope (Methodist Katrina Response/Vancleave United Methodist Church) (UMCOR)

Volunteer positions into late 2011 -

http://www.mississippi-umc.org/console/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Camp_Hope_website_calendar_FGRBTD82.xls

Volunteer Camp Sites include:

Camp Gulfside ~ Waveland, MS
Camp Love ~ Gulfport, MS
Camp Hope ~ Vancleave, MS

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2009 Volunteer Campsite Available spots:
http://ms.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Camp_Hope_website_calendar_RXAVGHB7.xls

IT's FILLING UP FAST!

Disaster Response Center:
To help with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi
Contact: Monica Ramey (or download volunteer packets at:
Call toll-free: 866-435-7091 or download volunteer packets at:
http://mssite.brickriver.com/
E-mail: disastercenter@meridianumc.org
FAX: 601-486-4248

Our call center in Meridian is in the process of moving to a
permanent location in Biloxi. You may continue to call the
toll-free number (866-435-7091) where you will likely be asked
to leave a message. These messages will be checked every hour
and calls returned as promptly as possible. If you need
immediate help, please feel free to call 228-374-2226.

As always, you can email us at disastercenter@meridianumc.org.

In the call center volunteers diligently serve as operators,
assisting in any way they can with information. We are open
five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Updates from the DRC
The call center has been actively scheduling individuals and
teams to help clean up homes and churches in the areas most
affected by the disaster. As of August 15, the center has
registered more than 25,000 volunteers to work on the coast,
cleaning up homes and creating safe and sanitary living conditions.

Volunteers fill a variety of roles, including coordination,
clerical, general labor, clean up, and more. As Mississippi?s
recovery process continues, we will have volunteers serving in
many specialized roles as well, such as electrical, plumbing,
roofing, counseling, children ministries, and so on. We will have
need for persons with all types of skill levels, and welcome all
volunteers.

Up to now volunteers have been housed in one of our many United
Methodist churches on the coast. However, we are beginning to
transition to new host sites constructed for long-term volunteer
housing as well as early response in future storms.

Volunteer Camp Sites include:

Camp Gulfside ~ Waveland, MS
Camp St. Paul ~ Ocean Springs, MS
Camp Love ~ Gulfport, MS
Camp Seashore ~ Biloxi, MS
Camp Hope ~ Vancleave, MS

Camp Hope (website details):

Camp Hope, located on the property of Vancleave United
Methodist Church, is one of our newer mission sites,
constructed not only to meet the continued needs of this
recovery but also to meet needs of future disasters in
both Mississippi and the neighboring states.

Vancleave and Mount Pleasant United Methodist churches and
Rev. Larry Maugh and his wife Celeste have been active in
recovery since immediately after landfall. The ministry
includes five other United Methodist churches as well as
several Baptist churches and Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Missioners have been housed at Vancleave UMC in the Sunday
school classrooms since the first team arrived on September
8, 2005. When you enter the sanctuary of this wonderful
church, you will immediately notice banners from many
states hanging from the ceiling. Each banner contains the
names of mission groups that have come to Vancleave to
give of their time and abilities, helping to heal hearts
and homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Larry and Celeste, drawing on their many years of
construction experience, continue to lead their congregations
in helping their neighbors and the surrounding communities of
Pascagoula, Moss Point, Escatawpa, Kreole, St. Martin, and
Ocean Springs. Their guidance and continued interaction with
teams continues to be vital part of the recovery effort. You
will find that Vancleave is a place of true southern hospitality,
where rest and worship, relationships and compassion, all go
hand in hand with hard work and outreach into the community.