Well, I finally have a report on Mission of Compassion number 7. Click here to go to the website...
Thanks to all who helped!
Showing posts with label mission of compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mission of compassion. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Update on Mike/Mission of Compassion-Mena
Well, it’s over---almost!! You have probably been wondering about my best friend Mike Borrell. As you remember, Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and has been through a ton of chemo and radiation, a major surgery, and a LOT of pain. Well, I am very proud to be able to say that Mike took his last chemo treatment today!! I knew that God was going to see him through this mess and He is! Soon he will be officially cancer-free and I can shave my playoff beard off that I have worn since the beginning of this mess!!! The beard has been a constant reminder that my best friend is walking through a very difficult time and that I need to pray for him like never before. Mike, it’s been the fight of your life, but, with the Lord’s help, you have WON!! WAY TO GO MIKE!! WE ALL ARE PROUD OF YOU!!!!
I have a few pics of our Mission of Compassion to Mena posted on our new website. Click here to go to the site.
I have a few pics of our Mission of Compassion to Mena posted on our new website. Click here to go to the site.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mission of Compassion 7: Mena Arkansas
Saturday, April 18th we will embark on Mission of Compassion 7 to Mena, Arkansas.
The facts:
A 2/3 mile wide EF-3 tornado tore through downtown Mena Arkansas last Thursday, killing 3 and injuring dozens. The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 1000 homes when it ripped through the town. Here is a news story from a Fort Smith TV station concerning the damage.
What we can do:
We will be collecting relief items this week to take to Mena. Items include cleaning supplies such as trash bags, work gloves, paper towels, etc. to non-perishable/canned food items to baby needs like diapers, formula and baby food. We will also collect school supplies because several schools were damaged by the storm. Thanks to Pastor Rod Baker, we will be able to procure some water/PowerAde and some snacks from Victory Christian Center.
If you would like to help out, please contact me at stormrider1970@gmail.com or call me at 918-808-4683. Thanks in advance for your help and support!!
I will post updates here as I get more information on specific needs.
Also, our brand new website is up and running!! Please check it out at:http://www.missionofcompassion.net/
Keep in mind that the site is a work in progress, with more pics & video content being added daily. Special shout out to Lanny Dean for helping me with the site!! Thanks Lanny!! Check out his website at
Also want to mention Heidi Farrar....Heidi has helped immensely on our missions doing phone work and talking to victims of the tornadoes in Lone Grove and Mena. Thanks Heidi!!
The facts:
A 2/3 mile wide EF-3 tornado tore through downtown Mena Arkansas last Thursday, killing 3 and injuring dozens. The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 1000 homes when it ripped through the town. Here is a news story from a Fort Smith TV station concerning the damage.
What we can do:
We will be collecting relief items this week to take to Mena. Items include cleaning supplies such as trash bags, work gloves, paper towels, etc. to non-perishable/canned food items to baby needs like diapers, formula and baby food. We will also collect school supplies because several schools were damaged by the storm. Thanks to Pastor Rod Baker, we will be able to procure some water/PowerAde and some snacks from Victory Christian Center.
If you would like to help out, please contact me at stormrider1970@gmail.com or call me at 918-808-4683. Thanks in advance for your help and support!!
I will post updates here as I get more information on specific needs.
Also, our brand new website is up and running!! Please check it out at:http://www.missionofcompassion.net/
Keep in mind that the site is a work in progress, with more pics & video content being added daily. Special shout out to Lanny Dean for helping me with the site!! Thanks Lanny!! Check out his website at
Also want to mention Heidi Farrar....Heidi has helped immensely on our missions doing phone work and talking to victims of the tornadoes in Lone Grove and Mena. Thanks Heidi!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tornadoes in Arkansas....
This is an email I sent a few minutes ago. I will post more thoughts later when I have a bit more time....
Good afternoon,
As you all know, a tornado tore through Mena, Arkansas last night. The twister killed 3 and injured more. News reports says that 600 homes are uninhabitable (I am not sure how accurate that number is). I have spoken with friends in the area and they confirm that the situation is bad. Please be in prayer for the residents of Mena as well as other communities affected by the storms. And yes, we will be organizing Mission of Compassion number seven soon. Details to follow in the coming days as needs are identified….
Also be in prayer for the folks in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. As of now, there are tornado warnings throughout those areas.
Good afternoon,
As you all know, a tornado tore through Mena, Arkansas last night. The twister killed 3 and injured more. News reports says that 600 homes are uninhabitable (I am not sure how accurate that number is). I have spoken with friends in the area and they confirm that the situation is bad. Please be in prayer for the residents of Mena as well as other communities affected by the storms. And yes, we will be organizing Mission of Compassion number seven soon. Details to follow in the coming days as needs are identified….
Also be in prayer for the folks in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. As of now, there are tornado warnings throughout those areas.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mission of Compassion bio...updated
MISSION OF COMPASSION
“I have been fascinated with storms and tornadoes since I was five years old” says storm chaser Jeff Smith when asked about his passion for severe weather. Jeff has been active in Skywarn for over 15 years, and is a media chaser for KJRH-channel 2 in Tulsa, Okla. With the combination of seeing the destruction and devastation that severe weather leaves behind and a compassionate heart, Jeff has always wanted to help disaster victims in practical ways. Jeff’s dream finally came true in 2005.
In 2005, Jeff partnered up with best friend Mike Borrell and formed Mission of Compassion. Mission of Compassion is a ministry that collects donations, packs up within days after a natural disaster and delivers relief supplies to affected areas. The day that hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005 they embarked on the first Mission of Compassion and brought relief supplies, cleaning goods, water, Bibles, and teddy bears to evacuees living in shelters in Alexandria, La. They since have been to Dumas, Ark. (F-3 tornado), Coffeyville Kansas (2007 floods), Northeastern Arkansas (2008 Super Tuesday Outbreak), and the Picher, Ok.-Seneca, Mo. area. (May 2008 EF-4 long track tornado).
Our most recent trip was to Lone Grove, Oklahoma, a small community near Ardmore. On February 10, 2009, a violent EF-4 tornado ripped through Lone Grove after dark. Sadly, nine people lost their lives. We delivered PowerAde, snacks, non perishable food, trash bags for cleanup, and much more in two trucks and a trailer! We were able to help out by delivering these supplies to the Lone Grove Assembly of God, and the Lone Grove Church of Christ.
Many have asked why not just let the Red Cross handle these situations? While the Red Cross is an amazing organization that has helped millions of storm victims, they get overwhelmed at times and cannot be everywhere at one time. That is why we concentrate on helping smaller churches and organizations that are helping in the community and acting as shelters and may not have benefitted from Red Cross assistance yet, and go directly to them. There has always been a place for us to help out, no matter where we have been.
Our vision for the future includes procuring a truck & trailer equipped with a Bobcat tractor so we can immediately dispatch a team to a disaster scene in order to help clear roads/driveways etc. We also are looking to form multiple teams in order to be more effective. Please pray for us as we continue in our service. For more information on Mission of Compassion please contact Jeff at Stormrider1970@gmail.com
“I have been fascinated with storms and tornadoes since I was five years old” says storm chaser Jeff Smith when asked about his passion for severe weather. Jeff has been active in Skywarn for over 15 years, and is a media chaser for KJRH-channel 2 in Tulsa, Okla. With the combination of seeing the destruction and devastation that severe weather leaves behind and a compassionate heart, Jeff has always wanted to help disaster victims in practical ways. Jeff’s dream finally came true in 2005.
In 2005, Jeff partnered up with best friend Mike Borrell and formed Mission of Compassion. Mission of Compassion is a ministry that collects donations, packs up within days after a natural disaster and delivers relief supplies to affected areas. The day that hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005 they embarked on the first Mission of Compassion and brought relief supplies, cleaning goods, water, Bibles, and teddy bears to evacuees living in shelters in Alexandria, La. They since have been to Dumas, Ark. (F-3 tornado), Coffeyville Kansas (2007 floods), Northeastern Arkansas (2008 Super Tuesday Outbreak), and the Picher, Ok.-Seneca, Mo. area. (May 2008 EF-4 long track tornado).
Our most recent trip was to Lone Grove, Oklahoma, a small community near Ardmore. On February 10, 2009, a violent EF-4 tornado ripped through Lone Grove after dark. Sadly, nine people lost their lives. We delivered PowerAde, snacks, non perishable food, trash bags for cleanup, and much more in two trucks and a trailer! We were able to help out by delivering these supplies to the Lone Grove Assembly of God, and the Lone Grove Church of Christ.
Many have asked why not just let the Red Cross handle these situations? While the Red Cross is an amazing organization that has helped millions of storm victims, they get overwhelmed at times and cannot be everywhere at one time. That is why we concentrate on helping smaller churches and organizations that are helping in the community and acting as shelters and may not have benefitted from Red Cross assistance yet, and go directly to them. There has always been a place for us to help out, no matter where we have been.
Our vision for the future includes procuring a truck & trailer equipped with a Bobcat tractor so we can immediately dispatch a team to a disaster scene in order to help clear roads/driveways etc. We also are looking to form multiple teams in order to be more effective. Please pray for us as we continue in our service. For more information on Mission of Compassion please contact Jeff at Stormrider1970@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mission of Compassion report
Mission of Compassion 6, Lone Grove: Courage in the face of tragedy...
We left after church on Sunday and met up with Tom Stroud in Catoosa and then Lanny Dean & his sister Rhonda joined us in Bristow. It was a long drive down there but after we arrived, I was soberly reminded of why we do this. A town was destroyed; peoples’ lives were ripped apart. They needed our help.
When we drove into the town, the damage was obvious. We saw trees down, sheet metal everywhere. We stopped at the 1st Assembly of God to drop off supplies and saw that the church had sustained major damage. Ironically, their steeple was torn from the church and landed in the town bar across the street. One thing that touched my heart was that this church, while damaged, was providing needed help to the folks of Lone Grove. That is where the heart of the Lord is, in my opinion. They were very grateful to receive the supplies. We left them with plenty of PowerAde, Little Debbie snacks, thousands of trash bags, and some baby food.
Not long after we arrived I met the mayor. He described how everything had happened and even helped us unload supplies. That’s what I call a hands-on mayor! He described what happened as the tornado ripped through town. He called on about 40 volunteer firefighters & EMT’s and about 90-100 showed up to help search & rescue immediately after the tornado.
We then pulled in to the church of Christ. After we unloaded the rest of our supplies there the pastor offered his heartfelt appreciation and gave a prayer of thanksgiving for our efforts. Both churches were very hospitable to us and I am thankful that they are helping in this time of crisis in Lone Grove.
After this, we drove out to the south end of town and to the Bar K mobile home park that was destroyed. It was surreal. There were people walking through what used to be the streets of the park, still in shock almost two weeks after the storm. Metal, glass, insulation everywhere as you might expect. I had to get off by myself for a few minutes to take a few deep breaths and choke back some tears. As I looked down into the valley that used to be the trailer park, my heart just sank. I thought about the 9 people that lost their lives. I thought about the kids that have no toys, no bicycles now. I thought about the lost family heirlooms, the pictures, and all of the items in the peoples’ homes that were gone. I thought about 13 year old Kaylee Fambrough, who lost both parents while desperately trying to hold on to them during the horror. How does one describe this devastation? Hard to think about it, but if you can imagine a bulldozer rolling through your home, then that might be close. In the rubble I saw some interesting things, part of a wall that was splintered into what looked like a cross; a bowl with a spoon in it, another pile of rubble looked like a cross that had stuff wrapped around it, baby shoes, 8-track tapes with an 8-track player and lost of other odd items. It was hard to look at all the devastation.
While we were there, I spoke to our youth group and told them that while they had fun on the way down there, that to remember the reason we came. I looked around at these former homes and said that this is why we come. To put our arms around them and let them know that we care, and that God cares.
To the ones that went; Lanny, Rhonda, Tom, Karen, Jim, Tonya, TJ, Stenton, Chrissy, Karmyn, Mary Ann, Clay, Stephanie, Joey, Kimi, Seth, Tyler, thank you for your service. Thanks Jim, Tonya, Tom, Lanny, and Karen for driving 400 miles with us in 8 hours {:-) To the kids, thank you for taking the time to go and let these good folks know that we care. To those that donated food, drink, supplies, or money—thank you so much! The mission wouldn’t have been possible without your caring hearts. To those who simply kept us and the victims in your prayers, thank you. Your prayers were appreciated by all.
Please hold the victims of the Lone Grove tornado in your prayers as they continue on this difficult journey.
I'll try to get some pics up tonight...
We left after church on Sunday and met up with Tom Stroud in Catoosa and then Lanny Dean & his sister Rhonda joined us in Bristow. It was a long drive down there but after we arrived, I was soberly reminded of why we do this. A town was destroyed; peoples’ lives were ripped apart. They needed our help.
When we drove into the town, the damage was obvious. We saw trees down, sheet metal everywhere. We stopped at the 1st Assembly of God to drop off supplies and saw that the church had sustained major damage. Ironically, their steeple was torn from the church and landed in the town bar across the street. One thing that touched my heart was that this church, while damaged, was providing needed help to the folks of Lone Grove. That is where the heart of the Lord is, in my opinion. They were very grateful to receive the supplies. We left them with plenty of PowerAde, Little Debbie snacks, thousands of trash bags, and some baby food.
Not long after we arrived I met the mayor. He described how everything had happened and even helped us unload supplies. That’s what I call a hands-on mayor! He described what happened as the tornado ripped through town. He called on about 40 volunteer firefighters & EMT’s and about 90-100 showed up to help search & rescue immediately after the tornado.
We then pulled in to the church of Christ. After we unloaded the rest of our supplies there the pastor offered his heartfelt appreciation and gave a prayer of thanksgiving for our efforts. Both churches were very hospitable to us and I am thankful that they are helping in this time of crisis in Lone Grove.
After this, we drove out to the south end of town and to the Bar K mobile home park that was destroyed. It was surreal. There were people walking through what used to be the streets of the park, still in shock almost two weeks after the storm. Metal, glass, insulation everywhere as you might expect. I had to get off by myself for a few minutes to take a few deep breaths and choke back some tears. As I looked down into the valley that used to be the trailer park, my heart just sank. I thought about the 9 people that lost their lives. I thought about the kids that have no toys, no bicycles now. I thought about the lost family heirlooms, the pictures, and all of the items in the peoples’ homes that were gone. I thought about 13 year old Kaylee Fambrough, who lost both parents while desperately trying to hold on to them during the horror. How does one describe this devastation? Hard to think about it, but if you can imagine a bulldozer rolling through your home, then that might be close. In the rubble I saw some interesting things, part of a wall that was splintered into what looked like a cross; a bowl with a spoon in it, another pile of rubble looked like a cross that had stuff wrapped around it, baby shoes, 8-track tapes with an 8-track player and lost of other odd items. It was hard to look at all the devastation.
While we were there, I spoke to our youth group and told them that while they had fun on the way down there, that to remember the reason we came. I looked around at these former homes and said that this is why we come. To put our arms around them and let them know that we care, and that God cares.
To the ones that went; Lanny, Rhonda, Tom, Karen, Jim, Tonya, TJ, Stenton, Chrissy, Karmyn, Mary Ann, Clay, Stephanie, Joey, Kimi, Seth, Tyler, thank you for your service. Thanks Jim, Tonya, Tom, Lanny, and Karen for driving 400 miles with us in 8 hours {:-) To the kids, thank you for taking the time to go and let these good folks know that we care. To those that donated food, drink, supplies, or money—thank you so much! The mission wouldn’t have been possible without your caring hearts. To those who simply kept us and the victims in your prayers, thank you. Your prayers were appreciated by all.
Please hold the victims of the Lone Grove tornado in your prayers as they continue on this difficult journey.
I'll try to get some pics up tonight...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday Misson of Compassion 6 update...
A little disclaimer about this article I found:
This article will stir your heart, and you will cry…
http://www.newsok.com/lone-grove-families-honor-those-lost-to-storm/article/3346032?custom_click=lead_story_title
I have just read this, and it gives me focus and resolve to help these victims. Let’s all band together and make this a mission that the Lord can be honored through…..
I still need someone to go shopping for me tonight or tomorrow morning……if this is you, please call me asap….918-808-4683 or 918-317-6822.
Let’s focus our efforts on getting trash bags, work gloves, plastic totes, new socks & underwear for the victims.
Plan still is to leave from New Life Baptist Church this Sunday at noon. Channel 2 will be there to do a quick interview, and then we will be on our way. We will eat sandwiches that are being prepared by “Mom” (Karen Leath & crew)…thank you!
This article will stir your heart, and you will cry…
http://www.newsok.com/lone-grove-families-honor-those-lost-to-storm/article/3346032?custom_click=lead_story_title
I have just read this, and it gives me focus and resolve to help these victims. Let’s all band together and make this a mission that the Lord can be honored through…..
I still need someone to go shopping for me tonight or tomorrow morning……if this is you, please call me asap….918-808-4683 or 918-317-6822.
Let’s focus our efforts on getting trash bags, work gloves, plastic totes, new socks & underwear for the victims.
Plan still is to leave from New Life Baptist Church this Sunday at noon. Channel 2 will be there to do a quick interview, and then we will be on our way. We will eat sandwiches that are being prepared by “Mom” (Karen Leath & crew)…thank you!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A very hard update to my earlier post...
...I had to edit my post from last night..I stated that there were no fatalities.....
As I went to bed last night, exhausted from a crazy race chase, I heard about fatalities in the community of Lone Grove. There were three at that time, and I said my prayers for the people in Lone Grove, and collapsed. I awoke this morning as my wife said that there were eight fatalities. Now I learn that there may be as many as 15. What a terrible night! I feel awful for the victims & their families. I need to get my thoughts together..a whole trailer park is gone!! I have already been asked if we are going on a Mission of Compassion.....
Sometimes I hate what I do....chase storms.....but I realize that my reporting of these monsters may save lives......or does it? Hopefully it does....I'm rambling, sorry.
As I went to bed last night, exhausted from a crazy race chase, I heard about fatalities in the community of Lone Grove. There were three at that time, and I said my prayers for the people in Lone Grove, and collapsed. I awoke this morning as my wife said that there were eight fatalities. Now I learn that there may be as many as 15. What a terrible night! I feel awful for the victims & their families. I need to get my thoughts together..a whole trailer park is gone!! I have already been asked if we are going on a Mission of Compassion.....
Sometimes I hate what I do....chase storms.....but I realize that my reporting of these monsters may save lives......or does it? Hopefully it does....I'm rambling, sorry.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Behold, the Iceman cometh....and an update on the Tulsa Chaser-fest
Everything from Winter Storm Watches all the way to Ice Storm Warnings are posted for the area. Please be prepared for this storm as it has potential to be a devastating storm. I don't think that it will have the impact of the infamous storm of 2007, but it could be close, especially in areas about 50 miles southeast of a line from Tulsa to Joplin, Mo. Looks like precip is starting on the OKC area now........
*************************************************************
I just spoke with Lanny, and the chaser-fest is still on and hopefully will have lots of chasers attend! As I said in an earlier post, Lanny will be speaking about his life-changing Greensburg experience, and I will talk about the Mission of Compassion. George Flickinger will be there and also will speak, and a host of other friends will be there. There will be a chaser car show, and you, the chaser gets to vote for the best all around chase-mobile! The winner will get a Storms of 2008 DVD, a DVD produced by chasers for the benefit of the victims!! Of course we will be showing lots of chaser video---bring your best stuff to brag on!!! Come on out, and have a great time with us!!!
Location of the chaser-fest is at the Catoosa Community Center. Info & map is here .
It is this Saturday, January 31st from nood until 8:00pm or until everyone gets tired of each other & splits...lol
Friday, January 23, 2009
Mission of Compassion video
I wanted to post this video from last May when we went to Picher & Seneca. I will be speaking about Mission of Compassion to fellow storm chasers next Saturday at our 1st annual Tulsa chaser gathering!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Mission of Compassion inspiring story....
Well, I have a story to tell. Last May, we went on a Mission of Compassion to the devastated areas of Picher, Ok. and Seneca, Mo. See my blog entry here from last May. While there, we helped clean a couple of hay fields of debris. One of "my" kids found a picture of two toddlers smiling for the camera. We asked around, and nobody recognized the boys so I took the picture with us where it stayed clipped to my sun visor reminding me of why we do this; to help hurting people that have been affected by nature's worst, and offer them love and comfort, along with needed commodities.
I have a friend that I recently saw that lives near Seneca. I told him of this picture that I have been keeping. He said, why don't I just take it back with me and I will post it at the feed store at Hwy 43 & Iris Rd. (This feed store was destroyed in the tornado & later rebuilt). I sent the pic with him...
I got a call this morning, and Pete told me that he posted the pic at the new feed store. The next day, he noticed that it was gone! He asked about the missing pic and a nice lady working there thanked him for posting the pic and told him that the picture was taken years ago and was of her two brothers! Their home was also destroyed in the tornado. What an ending to a story, huh?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Devstation.....
Well, after our relief mission to SW Missouri & NE Oklahoma, I had to take a couple of days to soak everything in. From standing at the corner of Hwy 43 & Iris Rd., where 12 people lost their lives including a fireman/storm spotter (see pic #2), to helping clean a field for a widow that lost her whole farm (see pic #1), to seeing the total annihilation of a small community already plagued by tragedy (see pic 3 & 4), I just have a couple of thoughts to share.....
The pic with the flag was at the Racine Fire Dept. flying at half staff in memory of the one who saved several. To him, I say thank you.
The close up of the shed with the mud caked on it was from the widow's farm just off Hwy 43. We, along with several other teams, combed the fields sorting wood from metal, finding all sorts of things. We found small pieces of a home computer, countless splintered 2 X 4 studs, clothes, very small bits of roofing shingles, PVC pipe, tin, electric line that went from their pole into their house, etc. We even found a Polaroid of two toddlers that came from who knows where--I will try to get that back to it's rightful owner.
The main thought that kept going through my mind while I was picking up was that these bits & pieces were this lady's home and her livelihood. It was hard to keep from losing it...to her, I say I am sorry.
The other two pics are from Picher--words can't describe....
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Relief mission to NE Oklahome & SW Missouri....
Here is an e-mail that I sent out last night....just to keep you up to date on things.....
Good evening,
After talking to several folks today, it looks like the mission is a go! The scenes that I have heard of are terrible. This mission is going to have a little extra meaning to me. I read where a storm spotter/fireman lost his life while out watching the storm in southwest Missouri. Before you think anything about him as far as being crazy to go out & watch storms, the story that I heard is that when he arrived at his assigned intersection, there were several cars with people panicking and one fellow even changing a flat tire. He warned the people to leave immediately but the tornado caught up to him and swept his vehicle away, critically injuring him. He passed away today. He saved several lives that day and paid the ultimate sacrifice and left behind a two year old baby girl.
I have had a few donations but we still need much more. We need things like diapers, baby food/formula, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, gloves, and possibly water. I am holding out hope for another big donation of water. You can drop off items at New Life Baptist Church--but call me first so I can make sure somebody will be there to accept your donations and thank you!!
The plan as of now is to leave early Saturday morning and return Saturday evening. After delivering our donations, we will hopefully spend time either volunteering in a shelter or helping folks clean up. Our destination will be Picher and to go into southwest Missouri and then back home. I have yet to make any solid contacts in these areas but I know that I will. I have heard of several churches open as shelters in & around the Seneca, Mo area. I also know that it's unlikely that Picher will rebuild, but that actually makes the pain that these folks are going through worse and they need to see the hope & love that we can share with them. They will need these supplies, especially water they can drink while picking up what is left of their belongings and lives.
If you would like to help either donate items or to go with us, please call me at 918-808-4683. It would be a blessing to see us carpool up there with 20 or so people like when we went to Coffeyville last year!
Thank you and God bless,
Jeff Smith Children & youth director
New Life Baptist Church
Verdigris, Oklahoma
Good evening,
After talking to several folks today, it looks like the mission is a go! The scenes that I have heard of are terrible. This mission is going to have a little extra meaning to me. I read where a storm spotter/fireman lost his life while out watching the storm in southwest Missouri. Before you think anything about him as far as being crazy to go out & watch storms, the story that I heard is that when he arrived at his assigned intersection, there were several cars with people panicking and one fellow even changing a flat tire. He warned the people to leave immediately but the tornado caught up to him and swept his vehicle away, critically injuring him. He passed away today. He saved several lives that day and paid the ultimate sacrifice and left behind a two year old baby girl.
I have had a few donations but we still need much more. We need things like diapers, baby food/formula, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, gloves, and possibly water. I am holding out hope for another big donation of water. You can drop off items at New Life Baptist Church--but call me first so I can make sure somebody will be there to accept your donations and thank you!!
The plan as of now is to leave early Saturday morning and return Saturday evening. After delivering our donations, we will hopefully spend time either volunteering in a shelter or helping folks clean up. Our destination will be Picher and to go into southwest Missouri and then back home. I have yet to make any solid contacts in these areas but I know that I will. I have heard of several churches open as shelters in & around the Seneca, Mo area. I also know that it's unlikely that Picher will rebuild, but that actually makes the pain that these folks are going through worse and they need to see the hope & love that we can share with them. They will need these supplies, especially water they can drink while picking up what is left of their belongings and lives.
If you would like to help either donate items or to go with us, please call me at 918-808-4683. It would be a blessing to see us carpool up there with 20 or so people like when we went to Coffeyville last year!
Thank you and God bless,
Jeff Smith Children & youth director
New Life Baptist Church
Verdigris, Oklahoma
Monday, February 11, 2008
Help in a time of crisis...
This, my freinds, is what we do.......
edit...let me clear up that statement. We did not have anything to do with the awesome warehouse that was at the Izard County Fairgrounds, we simply brought some Gatorade, Propel, and energy drink and dropped it off here. The drinks were donated by Gatorade and Victory Christian Center. we just simply took it to the hardest hit area so they could distribute it as needed. I will try to post a list of donors soon. It was an unforgettable experience. Please pray for the victims of the storms.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
More ideas for supplies....
I know we cannot do some of this, but I think we can maybe do batteries?
A link is here
A link is here
Damage pictures from Arkansas....
Here's a link to KAIT in Jonesboro, Ark. & they have 147 pictures sent in and other info on the tornodoes. It looks as though we are dealing with at least EF-4 damage.
Here is the link:
http://www.kait8.com/global/Story.asp?s=7827423
Here is the PNS from Little Rock NWS:
http://www.srh.weather.gov/lzk/cgi-bin/wxs1.php?pil=PNSMAIN&max=13
Here is the link:
http://www.kait8.com/global/Story.asp?s=7827423
Here is the PNS from Little Rock NWS:
http://www.srh.weather.gov/lzk/cgi-bin/wxs1.php?pil=PNSMAIN&max=13
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Donation ideas for our relief mission...
Here is a list of ideas for our Mission of Compassion to Arkansas...
diapers, towels, blankets, trash bags (industrial size), trash cans, pillows, sheets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, you get the drift, eh? Just look around your home & imagine that there is nothing there. What could you use to survive & begin the clean up process....
If you want to help, just drop me a line at ontheedgeyouth@sbcglobal.net.
Oh, and also items for the kids, stuffed animals & toys....
diapers, towels, blankets, trash bags (industrial size), trash cans, pillows, sheets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, you get the drift, eh? Just look around your home & imagine that there is nothing there. What could you use to survive & begin the clean up process....
If you want to help, just drop me a line at ontheedgeyouth@sbcglobal.net.
Oh, and also items for the kids, stuffed animals & toys....
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