Ohio Flood Relief Wednesday Update

Nine Ohio counties, Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Putman, Richland, Seneca, Van Wert and Wyandot are all under a state of emergency; up from the 6 last night.Just heard from Troy Blair, youth minister of Northland Church of Christ (Team 1). He’s working in Bucyrus cleaning out his sister’s basement. He’s met with the EMA directory for Crawford County who I will be speaking with shortly as he is intent on getting help into their area as soon as possible.

Troy reports a lot of residential damage in Bucyrus where Marion and Shelby have more commercial and government building damage. Since our initial connections seem to be in Bucyrus, we will plan on working there Saturday and Sunday. Friday is a maybe. Additional days and work locations will be determined as we assess needs, progress, volunteer turnout, and volunteer availability.

We will arrange for accommodations for volunteers who live further away from the area at a local church as we did after Katrina. While these plans aren’t defined yet, contacts are happening to solidify this aspect of the response.

Presently I have 4 volunteers scheduled for Saturday. I need RSVPs from you via email to john@servantsunite.org ASAP. I need to know how many people we can offer to the effort so that I can estimate how much work we can commit to. I need to hear from you now for us to be effective this weekend and beyond.

I also need you to engage your church leadership and get this message out to your church email list. 500 people will get this email, but their church congregations represent thousands of potential volunteers. This is an even easier opportunity for an introduction to the type of mission work we have been doing on the gulf coast. Our friends, families, coworkers, and church families should have the opportunity we have had to witness God at work through our efforts and we have many many families hurt by these storms that are in need of our assistance. I know how addicted you all are to this work. If you think back to your trip to the gulf coast, you’ll have to join in.

I am available to discuss this work with anyone who has questions. Have them call my cell number 614-404-8610.

We will require standard mucking tools:

• Flat shovels
• Wheelbarrows
• Plastic bins to carry wet debris up out of basements
• Boots
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Hammers
• Wonderbars (prybars)
• Old clothes

More updates later or tomorrow as plans are firmed up

Servants Unite!