An IBDR Chainsaw Team gives a Bible to a homeowner after completing a job. Submitted photo
Georgia is going to be on the minds of Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers through Thanksgiving according to Arnold Ramage.
At least that’s how long the disaster relief response to Augusta in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is anticipated to last the IBDR State Coordinator told the Illinois Baptist. Mass feeding efforts in the state are expected to wrap up next week, but chainsaw and shower/laundry teams will still be needed.
Ramage said the IBDR feeding team that was expected to depart this weekend following Hurricane Milton for Lakeland, Fla., has been told to standdown. “Florida has five mass feeding sites, with damage assessments beginning on Sunday (Oct. 13),” he shared. “They don’t yet know the impact or need for recovery until the water levels recede.” Due to this, it is still to be determined if IBDR volunteers will be needed to serve in Florida.
As of Oct. 11, Send Relief reported volunteers have provided 668,747 meals, given 103,155 volunteer hours, completed 1,035 job requests, and seen 77 professions of faith.
Ramage is currently scheduling volunteers a few weeks out to serve in Georgia. Chainsaw teams from Kaskaskia and Salem South Baptist Associations will arrive in Augusta on Oct. 13 and be there for nearly a week. They will be followed the next week by chainsaw teams from Greater Wabash and Heartland Baptist Associations. A shower/laundry team from Franklin Baptist Association will also leave on Oct. 13.
An IBDR volunteer hard at work. Submitted photo
IBDR feeding volunteers served in Augusta in partnership with Georgia, Kansas/Nebraska, Missouri, and Michigan/Wisconsin Baptists after Hurricane Helene barreled through the area on Sept. 27, killing at least 33 in the region. From their arrival the evening of Sept. 29 through their departure on Oct. 5, IBDR volunteers assisted in preparing 58,930 meals. Other IBDR volunteers have traveled to Augusta to serve as assessors and chaplains as well as on chainsaw and shower/laundry teams.
If you are interested in serving in Augusta, contact Ramage via email or by phone at (618) 889-1938. To become a trained Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer, go to IBSA.org/dr where you can take the Disaster Relief 101 training. IBDR has nearly 500 trained volunteers who serve on chainsaw and flood recovery teams, with shower, laundry, and food service, and at every callout, as chaplains.
IBDR is a partner with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR), part of the SBC’s Send Relief compassion ministry. It is the third largest disaster relief organization, after the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Send Relief is currently supporting 40 SBDR recovery sites deployed in six southeastern states – Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. As of Oct. 11, Send Relief reported volunteers have provided 668,747 meals, given 103,155 volunteer hours, completed 1,035 job requests, and seen 77 professions of faith.
While the Cooperative Program supports the administrative costs of disaster relief, volunteers travel and serve at their own expense. To donate to help Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief assist survivors of Hurricane Helene, visit IBSA.org/about/donate. Checks may be made payable to Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief and sent to IBSA, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703.
For more information about Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief, visit IBSA.org/dr. IBDR is a volunteer organization ministering with the Illinois Baptist State Association.