Submitted by Week of Compassion
Disaster Recovery is all about getting the right people working together. From first responders providing early relief; to volunteers for long-term rebuilding; to local community partners all along the way, it truly takes a village to restore life following a disaster.
A perfect example is the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Florence in Pamlico County, NC. The storm – which devastated much of the state in the fall of 2018 – damaged roughly 40% of the homes in Pamlico County. By fall of 2019, nearly 500 homes still needed major repairs, with many of the homeowners unable to make their own repairs due to age, disability, or income. Being a small county with no major cities, Pamlico received little national media attention and few outside resources.
Disciples connected quickly in Pamlico County, however, through Camp Caroline, as staff and friends assisted affected neighbors and the camp facilities became a host site for volunteers. Through a partnership with the Pamlico County Disaster Recovery Coalition (PCDRC), we have been helping families get back into their homes. Beth Bucksot, a local official and leader with PCDRC says of the partnership: “We are very grateful for your wisdom, experience, and time. Now you are trying to help provide funding too. Wow! You are such a blessing.”
In Dec. 2019, Week of Compassion and Disciples Volunteering were awarded the Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant through National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). The grant provides $25,000 worth of building materials to continue supporting the rebuilding efforts with PCDRC.
To keep repairs moving along and to make the most of the grant, we need another partner in the process: YOU! We need teams of volunteers to help make repairs to homes in Pamlico County. This is a great opportunity for youth mission trips, or for intergenerational groups to share in meaningful work and a learning experience together. Groups will stay at Camp Caroline, work on cases coordinated by PCDRC, and use materials purchased through the grant.
More information is available here. Mission Station Volunteer Grants are also available through Week of Compassion. From first response to long-term rebuilding, our wider Church plays an important role in restoring communities. Whether you pray, donate, or share your time volunteering, we are grateful to be sharing in this ministry with you.
The 2020 special offering for Week of Compassion is Feb. 16-23. Give through your local congregation or online, and be sure to visit our website for worship materials and other resources!