Disaster Response

January 2023 Severe Storms
 

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, severe storms and multiple tornadoes stretched across the Alabama-West Florida and North Georgia Conferences. The South Georgia Conference stands in solidarity with our neighboring conferences, offering prayer and support. 
 
At the request of the North Georgia Conference, the South Georgia Conference has been asked to assist and coordinate the UMC response in Meriwether County. Rev. Glenn Martin, Northwest District Disaster Response coordinator, is taking the lead and is working with the emergency manager and other leaders in the area. 

Glenn led a team today from the Northwest District in Greenville, Ga. The fourteen volunteers were from Wynnton UMC, Pierce Chapel UMC, and Midland UMC. In addition, Dan Henderson brought a skid steer to assist in moving and collecting debris. They did chainsaw work all day, cutting down and cutting up pine trees and cleaning up debris.   
 
The South Georgia Conference shower trailer is being used by the newly established Red Cross shelter in Locust Grove.
 
Early Response Teams
If you have an ERT who can deploy to an affected area either in Alabama or North Georgia, contact one of the district coordinators or contact Glenn directly. Please do not self-deploy. Our coordinators will help find an area for your team to serve. The primary need right now is debris cleanup and chainsaw work. Even if you are not a chainsaw operator, deploying teams need able bodies to help move/haul rubbish so it can be collected.
 
District Coordinators
Kelly Crane, Coastal District Coordinator
kelcrane@gmail.com or 731-499-0491
 
Glenn Martin, Northwest District Coordinator
gmartin0704@gmail.com or 912-312-6341
 
Susan Hughes, South Central District Coordinator
susanjhughes17@gmail.com or 229-423-9381
 
Thomas Smith, Southwest District Coordinator
tldsmith@icloud.com or 229-686-4046

ERT & Chainsaw Operator Safety Training
An ERT & Chainsaw Operator Safety training is set for March 25 at Pierce Chapel UMC (5122 Pierce Chapel Road, Midland GA 31820) beginning at 8am. This training is a collaborative effort of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. Mac Woodridge from Pierce Chapel will serve as the host. Click here to register. For more information, contact Mac Woodridge at macdaddy1977@gmail.com. 
 
Financial Gifts 
Other ways you can help in addition to your prayers for the survivors and volunteers is with your financial donations. 
 
You can donate through your church to our Conference Advance Special #6796 - South Georgia Storm Relief (Disaster Response). Address: PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209  

Online donations: 

• Click here to donate online to the South Georgia Conference Storm Relief effort
• Click here to donate to UMCOR US Disaster Response & Recovery

Thank you for giving! Financial gifts will make a significant impact on any current and future relief and long-term recovery efforts. 
 
In His Service, 
 
Luis Morales
(morhilll@gmail.com, 478-216-7729)

Responding to Hurricane Ian

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On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast. Storm surges and Category 4 winds caused significant flooding and damage, devastating the southwest area of the state and beyond. Supplies were sent to Florida and initial solidarity grants have been issued to both the Florida and South Carolina Annual Conferences to address immediate needs. UMCOR and its local partners have been hard at work preparing for storm response and recovery.

Immediately after the storm passed through, Luis Morales, conference disaster response coordinator, received a call from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) inviting him and up to 7 other highly trained persons to the area to help with initial tarping and debris removal. With housing for only 8 persons, UMCOR asked for a team that could travel completely self-contained, bringing their own food, water, and supplies.

On Monday, October 3, Luis Morales (Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Centerville UMC), Glenn Martin (Northwest District Disaster Response Coordinator), Bruce Getz (Pierce Chapel UMC), Mike Tovey (Midland UMC), and Bob Dreyden (Midland UMC) traveled to Lee County, FL (Ft. Myers area). 
 

How Can I Help

Give Financially
Your financial gift to UMCOR is especially appreciated.  Churches and individuals can financially support the work of UMCOR and its local partners by giving to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery fund (Advance #901670). By giving to UMCOR, 100% of your donation reaches those in need.
 

• You may give through any United Methodist Church in the South Georgia Conference by designating your donation for UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response #901670.
• You may mail a check to the Administrative Services Office. Please use UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response #901670.  Address: PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209.
• You may give online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/. 

Bulletin Insert, Graphic & QR Code
Click here to download a bulletin insert, graphic or QR code. 
 

Early Response Teams
Reminder: do not self-deploy to an active disaster area. If you have a team ready to serve please contact one of the disaster response coordinators. The Florida Conference has already reached out to Luis Morales about areas ready to receive teams. The South Georgia Conference has hundreds of trained ERT who are standing by, prepared to deploy upon invitation. Thank you!
 

Questions
Contact Kelly Roberson at kelly@sgaumc.com with any questions.
 

District Coordinators

Questions

Luis Morales
South Georgia Conference Disaster Coordinator
morhilll@gmail.com
 

Kelly Roberson

Connectional Ministries

kelly@sgaumc.com