wfn.org | Gift of mobile homes aids flood victims

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Title:Gift of mobile homes aids flood victims
Date: April 29, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97c-27

     INDIANAPOLIS  - Many Disciples have provided aid
for spring flood victims through gifts of money and
service. One Indianapolis church member gave a more
unusual, but much needed gift, a mobile home. A family
in Sparta, Ky., is overjoyed.

     The combined efforts of a generous individual,
three Disciples congregations and Week of Compassion
have given a single mom a new home. The family's mobile
home was destroyed by spring flooding March 1 when the
waters of Eagle Creek, a tributary of the Kentucky
River, overflowed. This was the first time this century
the water reached the home's site, but its destruction
was fast. The raging waters pushed the home off its
foundation and into nearby trees. 

     The family's income was too high to qualify for
immediate federal aid, but not high enough to replace
the home. That's where the Sparta Christian Church,
average worship attendance 45, stepped in. An aid
committee surveyed the community to help match those
needing assistance with services. For this family the
church looked to Week of Compassion for help.

     When Central Christian Church, Indianapolis, made
a Palm Sunday plea for aid for flood victims, the story
of this family was shared. It motivated many members to
make a financial gift to Week of Compassion, and one
worshiper, who wishes to remain anonymous, thought of a
mobile home he could share. 

     The mobile home was moved from Indianapolis to
Sparta April 23. Workers from Providence Christian
Church, Bargersville, Ind., prepared the home for its
trip. They removed the outside skirting and air
conditioning unit and tightened anything that might come
loose on the 183-mile journey.

     The Rev. Kevin Russell, pastor of the Sparta
Church, flew to Indianapolis and then accompanied the
home to Kentucky. The new homeowners prepared the site
so all would be ready for the home to arrive. The Sparta
Church helped pay the transportation cost for the move.

     The success of this "match" has led the donor to
contribute three more trailers. One is expected to go to
hard-hit Falmouth, Ky., for use by volunteers who come
to rebuild the town. Later it will be given to a family.
Week of Compassion is working with the Kentucky Council
of Churches and local Disciples congregations to find
families for the other homes.

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director