wfn.org | Volunteers sought to repair damaged homes

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Volunteers sought to repair damaged homes

July 23, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
{436}

By United Methodist News Service

Volunteers are urgently needed to assist Southeastern communities
plagued by floods and tornadoes in the past year, according to United
Methodist Volunteers In Mission.

In particular, volunteers are needed to repair the homes of low-income
people who had no insurance and didn't qualify for federal assistance or
other help.

"Right now, there are a number of homes in central Florida damaged from
the tornadoes that need repair desperately," said Joe Hamilton, disaster
coordinator for the Southeastern Jurisdiction's Volunteers In Mission
office.

Help with home repairs also is needed in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

Many of the office's regular volunteers already are working this summer
on projects that were scheduled a year in advance.

"When we get inundated by an excess number of disasters, we've got to
find some new sources," Hamilton explained.

Kay Voth knows firsthand the value of volunteer labor. For four years,
she has been involved in relief efforts in Albany, Ga., which was hit by
floods in 1994 and 1998. She coordinates the Albany United Methodist
Flood Relief Center and has worked with nearly 100,000 volunteers of
many faiths.

She cites the "amazing power" of a hammer, nail and the love of Jesus
Christ, noting that the volunteers "give so much and ask so little in
return." 

Residents who receive assistance from United Methodist volunteers often
ask about the church later, saying "I don't know what those volunteers
have, but I want to be a part of it," Voth added.

Volunteer teams of four to 25 people are preferable, but some locations
will take individual volunteers, Hamilton said. Some placements are
immediate, and others require more lead time. Volunteers are expected to
"sustain themselves," but some sites do provide housing.

For information, contact Hamilton at (404) 659-5060 or by e-mail at
sejumvim@compuserve.com.
 
# # #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/