Over the years, people of faith have developed a reputation for helping those in need. From founding some of the first hospitals and benevolence funds for the sick, the elderly, widows and travelers in the first few hundred years A.D., to working with modern communities in the aftermath of natural disasters, faith-based organizations play a vital role in communities across the United States.
The aftermath of the area’s most recent ice storm is no different.
The sheer volume of ice, which accumulated over just a few days, caused major power outages in the area and extensive damageto homes, buildings and trees. Fletcher was especially hard-hit, where some power outages lasted more than a week. Tree branches were strewn across lawns, some having dropped directly be- neath their trees after loud cracks marked their descent. Fletcher was a mess.
The damage in Fletcher and other area communities prompted Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to put the tenets of their faith into action.
Last weekend, SBDR volunteers worked for two days helping families in Elgin, Fletcher and Wichita Mountain Estates remove trees and branches felled by the storm. SBDR volunteers specifically selected homeowners who were elderly, disabled or otherwise unable to do the work themselves. One Fletcher resident who received help had just undergone surgery and could not remove the debris. There, a skid steer was used to pull down trees and branches while volunteers loaded trailers and brought them to a local burn area on Watts Road in Fletcher.
Heralded as heroes, the volunteers came from all walks of life, but most were older, retired Southern Baptist church members. The team was mostly local, with several from Fletcher, Elgin, Waurika, Cordell, Duncan and Lawton. This was not their first rodeo. These volunteers have helped after numerous natural disasters, including hurricanes Sandy and Harvey.
Despite the invaluable assistance this very capa- ble group of volunteers provided to those who could not help themselves, the team itself has a need — younger volunteers. Training is provided, and the help is always needed.
For more information about Southern Baptist Disaster Relief or to volunteer to help, call (800) 634-2462.