Adventist Community Services Disaster Response is continuing to support local communities around our Division even during these uncertain and pressing times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been able to bring relief to communities through collaborative efforts with our partner organizations. Currently, we are working with our federal partners, FEMA, to offer face coverings, AAMI Level 3 gowns, and 55-gallon drums of hand sanitizers for our conferences at no cost.
For the past few days, some of our conference ACS DR teams have been preparing for potential disasters in their territory. This past weekend, the Gulf States team made preparations for impending storms. The Arkansas Louisiana Conference prepositioned flood buckets, muck out gear, scoop shovels, kitchen kits, etc. in Hamon, Louisiana. The conference’s ACS Director, Lavida Whitson, was extremely pleased with the preparation and work of her local Hamon ACS Coordinator, Daniel Hoover, who is outfitted to render assistance for the storm that passed through yesterday early morning.
NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, W. Derrick Lea, is also in communication with the Mid-America Union Conference Director, Roger Wade, about some of the protests that are taking place around the country. Minneapolis is responding in such a way as to address the needs of the city by cleaning up debris and, most importantly, looking for ways to render emotional and spiritual care to a hurting community. Les Morrison, Minnesota Conference ACS Director, is leading this effort in Minneapolis.