More than 200 South Carolina Baptist disaster relief volunteers have responded with relief efforts in New Jersey for victims of Hurricane Sandy since the storm made landfall Oct. 29.
Cliff Satterwhite, director of disaster relief for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, illustrated for messengers at the SCBC annual meeting the items needed to fill a “Bucket of Care” for New Jersey storm victims.To date, 26 relief units have responded to requests made through the Red Cross and the South Jersey/Pennsylvania Baptist Convention, said Cliff Satterwhite, director of disaster relief for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. South Carolina feeding units served 80,000 meals within the first seven days, he said.
Disaster relief volunteers from the following South Carolina Baptist associations have been sent or will soon deploy: Beaverdam, Charleston, Cross Central, Lakelands, Laurens, Lexington, North Greenville, Saluda, Screven, Shady Grove, Summerville and Waccamaw.
The relief units have provided feeding, shower/laundry, incident command, crisis intervention chaplains, communications, assessment, recovery, chainsaw, and mud-out response to Hammonton, N.J., and surrounding areas.
Satterwhite said additional units are preparing to deploy as additional needs arise. The Red Cross has already requested that shower units from South Carolina remain in New Jersey through the first of the year.
Volunteers from Charleston Baptist Association set up a feeding unit in Hammonton, N.J., in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.Satterwhite also announced “Buckets of Care for New Jersey,” a way for churches to help provide supplies to storm victims. The emphasis will continue through the end of November. A five-gallon bucket (with lid) can be filled with specified safety equipment, first-aid materials, and instructions for use, then distributed to families in New Jersey whose homes sustained relatively minimal damage. A detailed list of appropriate supplies for inclusion with the buckets can be found at www.scbaptist.org/dr. Satterwhite hopes 500 buckets will be given by churches and individuals.
“Disaster relief volunteers respond in times like these so that the love of Christ can be seen through our actions,” Satterwhite said. “This is what Jesus did when he walked the face of the earth and taught others to go into the world and love.”
Through the South Carolina Baptist Convention, there are 134 disaster relief units and more than 5,000 active volunteers. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, go through specific training, and be willing to donate their time and skills to others during times of crisis. – SCBC