Category: Community

The SDA Church has been a resource to the community at large in the wake of the recent Florida school shooting tragedy in Parkland that occurred on February 14. We have held vigils at some of the churches in the area and also have been able to offer support from the NAD. W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS DR Director, has been in contact with the Florida and Southeastern Regional Conference ACS DR directors to discuss a plan as to how we can render assistance to the affected community in this critical time. The plan calls for two stages: First, we would look for ways to be of benefit to the community; and second, we would concentrate on supporting some of our church members who were directly impacted by the tragic event.

There is a growing need for individuals who are credentialed to work in such environments. We discussed with Florida Hospital which has a Chaplaincy program about the need onsite and they agreed to partner with us in the Recovery efforts. We also connected with a few local Pastors who had reached out to some of those that were present at the school on the day of the shooting. The pastors informed us of the ordeal that some of their church members are experiencing. Currently, we are in the process of getting a Team together by identifying local Adventist counselors who would be willing to provide Emotional & Spiritual Care to those affected.

Below are some helpful tips on how you and your children can cope with trauma in the aftermath of a shooting incident:

1. Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting
2. Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting

The Emergency Management in Spokane County had requested ACS to cover water distribution on Sunday, June 4, while the military was on a special training mission. They asked Latter Day Saints Church to cover on Sabbath as they did not want to disrupt our worship day.

Duane Kraft, an 82-year-old gentleman from the Spokane Valley SDA Church, was one of the volunteers who dedicated their time and services on that day. “I was in church yesterday and they said they needed help and I thought I’d come,” Kraft said. One of the youngest volunteers found on the scene was 16-year-old Philip Keer, who also decided to come out and help rather than spending time at home.

Leonard Westermeyer from Upper Columbia ACS is the Volunteer Coordinator who is in charge of the water distribution for Spokane County. Patty Marsh, UCC ACS Director, is extremely appreciative of Westermeyer’s strong leadership skills.

Watch this video clip to get a glimpse of the work that ACS is doing.