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Holston members join massive hurricane-relief effort
By Annette Bender
When the Rev. Curtis Grissett told his congregation how to help victims of Hurricane Charley with money, he expected that perhaps $200 would be raised.
Later that day, the treasurer of Hartman's Chapel United Methodist Church called Grissett to say the congregation had voted to give $1,000 to hurricane victims.
"All I can say is that it humbles me," said Grissett, pastor of the Morristown District church averaging 75 in worship attendance. "This is a very generous, caring, compassionate congregation. Most are retired farmers, just plain folks."
Hartman's Chapel is one of a handful of Holston congregations stepping out to aid Floridians following a devastating hurricane earlier this month.
Described by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) as the worst storm to hit western Florida in 100 years, Hurricane Charley struck Aug. 13 before surging up the East Coast to the Carolinas and Virginia. The hurricane, with sustained winds of 131 mph to 155 mph, was responsible for at least 20 deaths and billions of dollars in damage to Florida alone.
Anticipating Hurricane Charley's arrival, UMCOR had shipped all available flood buckets to Florida from its Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana. At press time, UMCOR officials were in Florida, deciding on a strategy for the agency's denomination-wide response.
In the meantime, Holston leaders geared up to do their part. Dwight Barker, Holston's disaster-relief coordinator for the northern region, is currently assembling a volunteer team that will eventually travel to Florida. On Aug. 18, Barker said that only one person had volunteered. But there's plenty of time for Holston members to sign up, and if necessary, several teams can be assembled in the weeks and months to come.
"To be honest with you, right now is not the best time to go, because everyone else is already down there," Barker said. "The best time to go is two, three or six weeks from now, when people know what they need and other groups have left."
To participate on Holston's recovery team, contact Barker by e-mail or (276) 356-2847. UMCOR is seeking its own team; call the toll-free volunteer hotline at (800) 918-3100 for more information.
Within days after the hurricane, the conference treasurer's office had received two checks in the Knoxville office, while several other Holston churches had called to ask about giving to relief efforts. In addition to the Hartman's Chapel contribution, the treasurer's office received a $100 check from St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Knoxville District.
Church members wishing to make financial gifts to help hurricane victims may write checks to their local churches, designating "UMCOR/Hurricane Charley" on the memo line. The tax-deductible gifts may be placed in offering plates.
When submitting checks for Hurricane Charley relief, church officers may designate "Project 506" under "UMCOR" on their 2004 remittance forms, according to the finance staff. For credit-card donations, church members may call UMCOR directly at 1-800-554-8583.
Some local churches in Holston Conference are organizing to collect hurricane-relief supplies, delivering them personally when groups other than Red Cross are finally allowed to enter the devastated area
Five churches in Chattanooga District are joining with two or three other congregations in the North Georgia Conference to gather diapers, blankets, water, soap and other supplies designated by the Red Cross, according to the Rev. Benny Matherly, pastor at Ft. Oglethorpe UMC. In addition to Ft. Oglethorpe, Signal Crest, Grace, St. Luke's and Hixson are joining in the mission.
Matherly said that Ft. Oglethorpe's mission chair, Martha Kimsey, is leading the campaign to fill a rented or donated truck with goods. "She has a heart for reaching out through missions in so many ways. She's been doing that for 20 to 25 years."
In Johnson City District, Cherokee UMC has arranged for a tractor-trailer truck to take needed items to Florida and has invited districts to participate.
"The items most needed are nonperishable foods, water, tarpaulins and covers," according to Bill Daugherty, Holston missions coordinator. For more information, contact the Rev. David Woody at woody@cherokeechurch.com or (423) 926-0978.
UMCOR is also asking United Methodists to help replenish its supply of flood buckets in what is now the beginning of hurricane season. The buckets include such items as sponges, brushes, trash bags and various types of cleaning materials. Specifications can be found at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ print/kits. Completed flood buckets should be sent to UMCOR Sager Brown, 101 Sager Brown Rd., Baldwin, LA 70514.
For information on Holston Conference relief efforts, contact Missions Coordinator Daugherty at billdaugherty@holston.org or (865) 690-4080. For UMCOR updates on denomination- wide efforts, visit the web site at http://gbgm-umc.org/ umcor/.
United Methodist News Service contributed to this report.
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Hurricane help
Join Holston's volunteer team.
Contact Dwight Barker by e-mail or (276) 356-2847.
Give money.
Make checks to your local church, designating "UMCOR/Hurricane Charley" on the memo line. To make creditcard donations, call UMCOR directly at 1- 800-554-8583.
Collect supplies.
Cherokee UMC, in Johnson City District, has rented a tractor-trailer truck to take nonperishable foods, water, tarpaulins and other supplies to Florida. To participate, contact (423) 926-0978 or send e-mail
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