Category: Disaster Response

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Community Development Disaster Response Hurricanes Rebuilding

Hurricane Harvey Rebuild in Refugio

On December 8-9, a group of 30 young people and adults from Austin and San Antonio traveled to Refugio to assist with a Rebuild Project in response to Hurricane Harvey that had devastated several areas in Texas last year. Under the leadership of Marshall Gonzales, Texas ACS Director, they had planned on repairing eleven houses. However, due to the rains on Saturday, they mainly focused on those that needed interior work. The Team ended up working on four houses and the Community Center in Bayside.

In the first house, they painted a room and made a frame for a window. They also made a step for the resident and replaced the soffit outside on Sunday. For the second house, our Disaster Response Team drywalled a room after which they did the tape and float. The next house had two rooms and the bathroom cleaned by fumigation. It was in very bad condition. While the young people were cleaning, roaches would fall on them, but they just kept on working until they got it all done. For the last house, they drywalled the living room, ceiling, two bedrooms, and two closets. The homeowners were extremely happy and grateful with all that was done to their homes. One owner was so overwhelmed with emotions that he said it gave him hope.

Since Sunday was a very sunny day, they painted the exterior walls of the Community Center of the city of Bayside. They bought the material there in Refugio, and the workers of the building supply company was so thankful that the materials were purchased there and not brought in from somewhere else. They were also very appreciative of our Team for their services to the affected community.

Marshall Gonzales said, “I was glad to see the young people who came out to help. We specifically are targeting Master Guides and young adults to help in the recovery work.” He added, “We look forward to doing more projects in Refugio.” Besides Austin and San Antonio, youth from the Dallas, Houston, and Valley areas will also be participating in the Rebuild work.

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Community Development Disaster Response Typhoon

Damage Assessment of Homes on Saipan and Tinian

The Seventh-day Adventist churches on the islands of Saipan and Tinian joined us in the Typhoon Yutu Relief Efforts in their respective communities. Church members who participated in the Disaster Assessment class conducted by Derrick Lea, NAD ACS DR director, assessed homes that were severely damaged by the Typhoon. Based on the degree of damage done to homes, families were given vouchers for building materials to help rebuild their homes.

From November 16 – 19, the Tinian SDA Church volunteers assessed homes in their community, and ended up providing vouchers to 61 households. These vouchers were especially beneficial to those families who were still waiting to get assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other non-profit organizations. Pr. Paulo Restauro, Jr., pastor of the Tinian SDA Church, was extremely grateful to his church members and ACS personnel for their wonderful service to the community.

We had volunteers from the Saipan SDA Church who also lent their assistance in handing out vouchers to their community. They started assessing homes early this month, and concluded its voucher distribution on November 25. The volunteers were led by their director, Dr. Warren Creed, who runs the SDA Dental Clinic on Saipan, and coordinator, Shack Manuel. They visited 219 houses in Koblerville and San Antonio, where each received vouchers ranging from $100 to $500, depending on the extent of the damage. The vouchers can be redeemed at a local hardware store in exchange for building materials, or other household items.

The residents were overwhelmed with joy and truly appreciative of the help they received. One resident who was very thankful for receiving a $500 voucher said, “Our house was totally wrecked and my priority is to buy some building materials”. The volunteers were also glad that they could be of service even though they had limited resources to work with. Dr. Creed said, “I wish we could do more. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to people who are in need.” In total, ACS provided $100,000 to assist the Typhoon survivors: $20,000 worth of vouchers were distributed on Tinian and $80,000 on Saipan.

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Disaster Response Fires

Camp Fire Ravages California

California Fires Update – November 27

The California fires this year have been declared as the deadliest fires in the history of the State. Even though the Southern California Woolsey fire and the Paradise Camp Fire in Northern California have been completely contained, they have left several individuals, families, and communities in crisis.

Charlene Sargent, Pacific Union Conference ACS Director, and her Team have been leading out in the Recovery Efforts in both Northern and Southern California. They are currently positioned at the Operations Center, where they are meeting the needs of those affected by providing shelter and other necessities. All of the counties affected by the fires are utilizing only local assistance. Volunteers from outside the affected counties are asked not to deploy at this time. The North American Division ACS is working with ACS personnel in the California conferences on providing financial support for the purchase of kitchen kits.

If you wish to donate to the Recovery Efforts in Northern or Southern California, please click here: NCC Paradise Camp Fire, SCC Disaster Relief Fund Woolsey Fire.

Please continue to pray for the survivors and responders of these devastating fires.

The camp fire that started in Butte County, Northern California, last Thursday (November 8) spread rapidly moving into the town of Paradise and surrounding areas. The Fire which has destroyed 125,000 acres of land and taken the lives of over 40 people still continue to rage. Several homes, schools, churches, and hospitals have been decimated. The Feather River Adventist Hospital was able to safely evacuate patients and transfer them to other facilities before being damaged. Two Adventist churches and a section of the Paradise Academy campus were burned down. The Paradise SDA Church has a membership of 1500 with a high school adjacent to the church. The Magalia Upper Ridge SDA Church has 150 members. The Fire which has pretty much devastated the towns of Paradise and Magalia in Northern California is considered to be the deadliest in the history of California.

The Northern California ACS Disaster Response Team, led by Jim Oliver, has been working diligently to help those in crisis in response to the recent Camp fire. Texas ACS Directors, Marshall and Julie Gonzales, are also lending their support to the Relief Efforts. Our churches in Oroville and Chico have opened their doors to evacuees. The Chico SDA Church has been approved by American Red Cross (ARC) as a shelter, but right now is assisting the victims with blankets, towels, toiletries, clothes, and etc. Residents are able to stay at other Sunday churches in Chico that are set up as shelters with the ARC. Southern California is also experiencing fires, as well. The Woolsey Fire has affected Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Our Pacific Union DR Coordinator Charlene Sargent and her Team are on the ground managing the situation there.

Please pray for the families who have lost loved ones, and for the safety of the survivors and responders.

Click here to help with the Northern California Paradise Fire relief.

Click here to help with the Southern California Woolsey Fire relief.

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Disaster Response Typhoon

Typhoon Yutu Update

The Islands of Saipan and Tinian are struggling to recover from the effects of Typhoon Yutu, one of the most powerful weather events recorded in history. Since the storm touched down in late October, we have been in daily contact with our ACS DR Director Max Mays and FEMA lead Michael Kern about the needs on both of these islands. Our discussions have expanded to include the leadership of the Guam Micronesia Mission President Ken Norton.

Deliveries of supplies were sent early in the Recovery efforts to those on the ground. Most of the efforts of FEMA and other governmental entities have been put into providing shelter to the survivors. A limited number of buildings that had not been damaged by the storm were utilized for housing the residents. Tents are also being used on the land of those whose homes have been destroyed. With this primary need taking precedence, ACS is crafting a list of unmet needs we might be able to meet.

One of the areas being considered is setting up some Distribution Sites that would give out items the community is needing such as solar-powered lighting, tarps, and mosquito netting on both Islands. These Efforts will begin in Guam where items will be purchased from Home Depot and other stores, and delivered to the communities. We are also looking to set up a Warehouse in Saipan. Though the conditions on the affected Islands will create some challenges, our ACS DR team is prepared to help and currently sits on Standby awaiting a request of assistance. Since we work in coordination with the local community, our efforts will incorporate appropriate trained teams for the task that lies ahead. We will also be partnering with other NGOs, FEMA, and Military personnel to help in these areas.

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Disaster Response Hurricanes Typhoon

Hurricane and Typhoon Relief Update

A team of 21 individuals from the Northeastern Conference joined our ACS Disaster Response forces on the ground in Florida to support the Southeastern, Florida, South Central, Gulf States, and Georgia-Cumberland Conferences responding to Hurricane Michael, presently. The State Warehouse in Tallahassee has now been operational for almost two weeks. Pastor Daniel Hoover (Arkansas-Louisiana Conference) and Charlene Sargent (Pacific Union Conference) are lending their support to the operations at the Warehouse. A County Warehouse in the State of Georgia, and Distribution Sites in Panama City and in the surrounding communities are also functioning. We are also meeting the needs of the affected residents by cleaning debris from homes and properties.

While this work continues, we are still occupied with our Guam-Micronesia Mission in support of those affected on the Islands of Saipan and Tinian by Typhoon Yutu. Several areas on both the Islands are still suffering from power outage. We have been working with our local ACS Director Max Mays and his Team to find ways on how we can best serve the affected communities. Supplies have been bought and sent to our volunteers on the ground to be distributed to the survivors. Currently, we are in discussions with FEMA and the local VOAD about the developing needs and while help is being finalized, we are working amongst ourselves and partnering with others that are able to bring resources to bear on this crisis event.

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Disaster Response Typhoon

ACS Responds to Typhoon Yutu

Max Mays, ACS Director of Guam-Micronesia Mission, and his Team are on the ground after Typhoon Yutu pummeled over the areas of Tinian and Saipan. Supplies will be purchased to support the relief efforts on the affected islands. W. Derrick Lea, NAD Disaster Response Director, stated that over 100 homes have been destroyed. The full extent of the damage is unknown at this time due to power outages and no phone service. We are requesting CASH donations, given the hardship of sending supplies overseas.

Please pray for all those affected by this tragedy and consider making a monetary donation towards the Recovery Efforts.

Monetary Donations may be made by two ways:

  1. Sending a check to:
    Guam-Micronesia Mission of Seventh-day Adventist
    Attn: Max Mays, ACS Director
    290 Chalan Palasyo
    Again Heights GUAM, 96910
    MEMO: Guam Mission Disaster Response
  2. Donate online
    COMMENTS: Guam Mission Disaster Response
Categories
Disaster Response Hurricanes

Hurricane Michael Update – October 18

ACS DR Team work to clear debris from Maranatha SDA Church for Distribution site for the community.

Things are continuing to develop in Florida as several of our ACS Disaster Response Team members from various conferences are actively engaged in the Hurricane relief in the Gulf region of Florida. Significant damage to both our churches and the community at large has been reported. The conferences involved in the Recovery Efforts are Gulf States, South Central, Southeast, Florida, and Carolina.

Several local churches have been generous enough to lend their facility and services. The Gulf States Conference Spanish Church led by Pastor Guerrero, has been working to meet the needs of the community for the past week from his trailer. We are helping him meet some of the requests of the community by connecting him with donations, and also setting up a Warehouse. We are setting up more Distribution sites with the help of the Gulf States and South Atlantic conferences at the Panama City SDA Church and the Maranatha SDA Church. Due to the damage that the Maranatha church incurred from the storm, the property had to be cleared of debris before being housed as a Distribution site.

With the help of the Southeast Conference, we have secured a Warehouse in Tallahassee which will ensure that Distribution sites are kept stocked with needed items. Though this facility would benefit our sites around the State, it would function as a Multi-Agency Warehouse which would mean millions of people would ultimately be served. Conferences are working together to ensure a positive outcome for those affected. We also have unions and conferences from outside of the Southern Union such as the Pacific Union Conference, and the Northeastern, Greater New York, and Arkansas-Louisiana conferences that have agreed to assist our teams locally.

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Disaster Response Hurricanes

ACS Responds to Hurricane Michael

Just over ten days after Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, Category 4 Hurricane Michael made landfall inland over the Florida Panhandle area early Thursday morning, leaving several parts of the State in ruin. Some of the most severely hit places include Mexico Beach and Panama City. Fatalities and destruction were also reported in the States of Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and also the Carolinas.

The NAD ACS Disaster Response, Southern Union, and the affected States’ Conference ACS leaders have been in communication to discuss the positioning of our team members for Recovery Efforts throughout the affected States. The NAD, along with ADRA, made financial support available to each affected area through grant opportunities for their corresponding Conferences. We have also assigned some Contact people the responsibility of being our liaison to the State VOADs in the affected states of FL, AL, GA and NC, thus enabling us to gain understanding of the preparations that others are involved in as well.

The following Recovery Efforts are now taking place as we develop our response in key areas in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia:

  1. Conferences are working to obtain items for the cleanup kits/flood buckets that will be needed in the coming weeks as Recovery efforts begin.
  2. The South Central and Gulf States conferences have set up Distribution sites for incoming donations.
  3. Deliveries of nonperishable food items, hygiene kits, and etc. are being prepared by Southeastern and Florida conferences.
  4. Tallahassee Spanish SDA church has agreed to set up a Distribution Center for the community within the next few days.
  5. Seeking feeding trucks to work in partnership with Salvation Army and State officials to feed communities.
  6. The State of FL has asked us to have a team ready for the management of a Warehouse in Tallahassee. Both Florida and Southeast conferences are identifying individuals for this team.
  7. Also, the Seminole and Daugherty counties in GA have requested Warehouses and we currently are working with them to identify a facility that can house these operations.
Categories
Disaster Response Hurricanes

Hurricane Florence Response Continues

Our ACS Disaster Response Teams continue to be actively involved in the Hurricane Florence Recovery Efforts in North Carolina. Last week, the Chesapeake Conference delivered flood buckets, non-perishable food, and other items to the Ephesus SDA Church distribution site in Wilmington. The Chesapeake ACS Director Ignacio Goya and ACS DR Director John Belliveau, brought the Conference truck and trailer to the Middletown Valley SDA Church where they picked up several boxes of the supplies and went to the warehouse at Highland View Academy to fill 100 flood buckets. The Martinsburg SDA Church helped them coordinate their driver, Doug Ivany, who along with his wife, loaded up the trailer and delivered the supplies. The Ephesus SDA Church in New Bern also received buckets, cleaning supplies, and food from Tad Long of the Keene SDA Church of the Texas Conference. Furthermore, the Southwestern Union delivered over 2,000 buckets and hygiene kits.

The Recovery Efforts also took place in Whiteville and Fayetteville. About 25 Whiteville SDA Church members which also included some youth worked with the ACS DR Team to unload about 500 flood buckets. The Fayetteville community received over 1000 buckets and 1000 hygiene kits. On Sabbath, October 8, our Team members distributed these supplies via three separate mobile Distribution Units that were set up since many people in these areas don’t have transportation.

We also had the Northeastern Conference ACS DR Team led by Dr. Fitzgerald Kerr arrive in North Carolina late Sunday night to begin ‘muck-out’. Many of the homes which had been assessed over the course of last week, are now ready to be cleaned out and have debris removed. We concentrate our services on those that might be overlooked or denied flood insurance coverage and have limited options. “This work is needed, and ACS DR is being a light to the community, who in some cases have their first opportunity to hear of the Seventh Day Adventist Church during this most challenging time,” said W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Disaster Response Director.

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Disaster Response Hurricanes

ACS Recovery Efforts in Wilmington, NC

Besides Fayetteville and New Bern, the town of Wilmington in North Carolina was also severely impacted by the flooding. The community was benefited from the 500 ACS flood buckets and other needed items that were distributed by our volunteers. The South Atlantic’s Ephesus SDA Church in Wilmington opened up their parking lot to set up a Distribution Center over the weekend. One of our ACS DR teams from the Greater New York Conference (GNYC) lent their support to the community. The ACS shower trailer from Michigan Conference also arrived, so that our workers could clean themselves after each day of work.

While Ephesus provided housing, the Carolina Conference’s Wilmington SDA Church coordinated the feeding for the arriving Team from GNYC. Wilmington had prepared breakfast for our GNYC Team who was scheduled to arrive early morning. However, due to detours along the way, they had informed the church that they would be arriving about an hour and a half later. Upon hearing this, Pr. George Wennerberg and his church members took the breakfast to Ephesus to begin serving the community. The GNYC Team finally arrived with 16 people and two vehicles. After having breakfast, they met with Derrick Lea and the leader of the Distribution Site, Cheryl Sparks. They reviewed the assessments that had been conducted over the previous two days, and outlined those homes that needed cleaning. By noon, our Team members had arrived at the homes where residents met them as if they were family.

Another service we will be offering to the community is Walmart gift cards. Rather than handing out money during events such as these, a process must be created that ensures everyone is treated in an equitable manner. Since resources are limited, we must be able to prove there is a system in place that guarantees fairness in distribution. The criteria for the gift cards would be based on the degree of damage done to a person’s home. ‘Damage Assessment’, one of the courses given by Derrick Lea, teaches students how to categorize homes that have been damaged by weather events and creates levels of damage to a structure. This class was conducted with both South Atlantic and Carolina conference team members in attendance. They’re all certified now and have begun assessing homes. This enables us to designate help based on the level of damage to a person’s home.