Mission of Hope & Tornado Relief

I received this message today from Mission of Hope Director Emmette Thompson. They are right there on the front lines showing the love of Christ to those affected by Friday's storms in Eastern Kentucky.

Dear Mission Of Hope Friends;

 

I shared with you in recent days, about the devastation caused by the recent storms; in some of the areas we serve, and some we serve nearby.  I sent out e-mail and phone message appeals; to several of the Ministry Centers we assist.  I didn't realize until Monday, that one of those extremely special Ministry's; was already responding to the urgent needs of those impacted.

 

On Tuesday morning, our dear Friends from Blaine Church & Outreach; in Blaine, KY (near the KY & WVA border); made the 5 hour trip to Knoxville; for us to load their Truck & Trailer with anything we had that they could use; to get into the hands of families which had lost everything.  They began distributing those items yesterday.

 

After being in touch with the Staff at Alice Lloyd College, where we are blessed to have our Bill Williams Family Scholarship Endowment; we learned that several of the ALC Students, were from the Counties that were hit the hardest.  And several of them had found out that their Family Homes were totally destroyed.  So yesterday, our dear MOH Friend Don Peek; drove a MOH Truck to Alice Lloyd College, in Pippa Passes, KY; loaded with more items like we sent out on Tuesday.  And today, Alice Lloyd Students & Staff; will take those items over to some of those devastated Family's.  What a blessing and opportunity to serve this will be for them...To go and extend True Hope to some of their own.

 

There will be a great need for a long time; for help and assistance in these storm ravaged Communities.  I have asked the Staff at Alice Lloyd College; to keep us informed of future needs for their Students & Family's.  And I have also asked them to try and locate for us, a Family that we can send a cleanup and construction Volunteer Team too.  They will follow up with me, when they have more details.  What a special way this would be for the Mission Of Hope to help Students that are trying to get their College Education and now just need some help for their Family's.

 

Thank you for your friendship and support and for all you do to help us extend True Hope.

 

Sincerest Regards;
Emmette Thompson, Executive Director - Mission Of Hope
865-584-7571 (Office)

Tornado Relief Efforts

Here's how you can help with tornado relief efforts:

Just a few days after tornadoes ripped through Indiana and Kentucky we're still trying to get a handle on the extent of damage and what we can do to help. The main thrust of the media campaign is encouraging people to make cash donations to the Red Cross. While the Red Cross does do good work some people want to do more.

I applaud those individuals who took it upon themselves to rent trailers, collect donations on their own, and make a contact in a devastated area to deliver to. Those people are the backbone of America. The neighbors we count on. The neighbors we should all want to be. To them, Good job!

All official reports are that West Liberty is at capacity with donations, and no more are required at this time. (Except for cash.)

West Liberty seems to be getting the focus of the media and thus the relief efforts, but please understand there were many communities affected by the storms on Friday. Just because they are saying West Liberty doesn't need donations that doesn't mean no donations are needed at all.

Today we spoke with an official from Magoffin County, and their situation is different than West Liberty. They very much still need donations, and they are having no problems getting them into the hands of people who need them.

Northeast Christian Church in Lexington has partnered with the Magoffin County Fire Department to assist in delivering much-needed items to Salyersville residents who are recovering from the devastation of Friday's tornado. If you would like to contribute to their efforts, here's how you can help:

Drop off donations at Northeast Christian Church, located at 990 Star Shoot Parkway in Hamburg between 8:30am and 5pm through THIS FRIDAY, March 9. The church will be sending a team to deliver the items on Saturday, March 10.

NEEDED:
Bottled water
Non-perishable food items (soup, peanut butter, crackers, snack items that don't require much preparation/heating. The county is under a boil water advisory)
Clean-up supplies including work gloves, latex gloves, hand tools, rakes, bleach,clorox wipes, brooms, etc.
Paper plates, plastic cups, utensils, paper towels

For more information, please contact Northeast Christian Church: 859-299-1251

(Here's an interview we did with Todd Fox of North East Christian Church in Lexington, KY today about their efforts.)

Today I also spoke with Emmette Thompson of Mission of Hope. They have already sent two truck loads into the affected areas through a ministry they support year-round. They are working closely with Alice Lloyd College to assess the needs of their students' families. We will have more information on that in the coming days.

To be sure there is currently a lot of work to be done, and there will be no shortage of hard work in the coming weeks or even months.

Thank you for your willingness and desire to help your neighbors.