Hands of Hope Disaster Relief Ministry

        
      The Hands of Hope Disaster Relief Ministry of Graceland Baptist Church is part of the Indiana Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry, under the direction of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

This valuable ministry serves across the street and around the nation - bringing comfort as well as valuable assistance to anyone affected by the disasters of life.  Serving in the Disaster Relief Ministry can be one of the most rewarding experiences there is, as often when people are facing the trauma of a disaster they are open to receiving the love of Christ. 

 
            Although the ministry is based at Graceland Baptist Church, many of the team members are from a variety of other churches in the Southern Indiana area.  Disaster relief teams have been called on to serve in many unique situations close to home and far away, serving in numerous cities in the Gulf region after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; as well as serving during ice storms, flooding and tornadoes/windstorms in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, New Jersey, Missouri and other locations.   The Hands of Hope Disaster Relief  Ministry is comprised of five basic components:  Emergency Shelter Management Team; Mud Out and Rebuild Unit; Chain Saw Unit,  Mobile Feeding Unit, and Community Emergency Preparedness education.  Each unit has its own distinct mission, training and certification criteria and function.  The following is a brief overview of each:

            Because of the unique, large facilities of the Graceland Baptist Church campus in New Albany, it is designated as a Class One Community Emergency Shelter by the American Red Cross and may be called on in a time of emergency to open their facilities as a shelter to the So. Indiana community.  In order to volunteer as a member of the Shelter Management Team an individual must complete the American Red Cross Shelter Management training and submit to a criminal background check.  Some areas of serving in shelter management would include registration and processing of shelter residents; medical assessment of shelter residents; counseling on benefits and services available to shelter residents; managing of sleeping and bathing areas; cooking and serving of food to shelter residents; cleaning of the facility; childcare and more.  Training opportunities are held throughout the year.  Shelter management team members may also be called on to staff other shelters in various areas close by.  
 

           In disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, members of this unit provide much needed repair and rebuild services to families devastated by these catastrophic occurrences.  Team members are assigned to specific homes to tear out and clean areas affected by flood waters.  Others in this unit are skilled in electrical and carpentry work and assist in repair and rebuild project for homeowners.  Training in correct mud out procedures is necessary when working with this unit. 

 

             In disasters such as tornadoes or ice storms, the well trained members of the Chain Saw Unit of the Hands of Hope Disaster Relief Ministry are some of the first to be called on, as many times roads and property have to be cleared before necessary aid can reach those in need.   The members of the chain saw unit provide extremely valuable assistance and have traveled to a variety of states and locations to bring assistance to countless communities as they struggle to regain normalcy after a disaster.

            In order to work with a chain saw unit with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, an individual must have completed the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chain Saw Course. The training is imperative because of the potential danger to those using chain saws as well as those who are helping with the operation. All teams are well equipped with essential safety equipment such as hardhats, goggles, chaps and gloves. Training opportunities take place several times each year and practice sessions are held frequently.

 

          The only Feeding Unit supported by the Indiana Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry is based at Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany and staffed by volunteers from Graceland and other churches in this area as well as volunteers from around the state.

 

             Feeding Unit volunteers are taught the basics of operating a feeding unit with trainings frequently in the proper use of the equipment.  In order to be certified to work with the food preparation, it is necessary to attend a training session such as this. It is important to understand the process of planning meals, estimating the quantity of food to prepare as well as food safety.

           

           The Indiana Feeding Unit is is equipped to serve up to 7,500 meals per day at a disaster site. Food is provided by Red Cross and prepared by Southern Baptist Feeding Unit volunteers. It is then distributed throughout neighborhoods or at a local shelter area operated by Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles. In any disaster situation, feeding units from around the country may be mobilized to assist the Red Cross.  During the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita crises, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief feeding units prepared over 14 million meals that were served to both evacuees and disaster workers.   The work of the Feeding Unit at a disaster site is extremely important. With no utilities available or a lack of clean water, members of a community have no way to prepare their own food. Feeding units are also used to feed volunteers as well as utility workers during an emergency situation.

 

 

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            The above are just some of the opportunities that await you as a member of Hands of Hope Disaster Relief Ministry.  Serving those affected by disasters is one of the most rewarding ways to minister God's love to people at some of the most vulnerable times of life. Whatever your unique skills and talents, there is a place for you to serve in disaster relief.   If you would like more information regarding the work of any of the units of the Hands of Hope Disaster Relief Ministry or any other information regarding Disaster Relief, contact George Fox, Director of Hands of Hope at 812.944.6875. A training and recertification meeting will be held on Saturday, June 26 in the Corner Room at Graceland at 9:00 a.m.