Columbus Mission to Mandeville, Katrina Relief

9/8/2005 Brad Hayes

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Robin, Gary Carmichael, and I have met to discuss a coordinated effort from Central Ohio churches. We have been in touch with a church in that is acting as a command center in the area. They have made contact with emergency management and Red Cross efforts and are trying to facilitate those efforts. Their biggest need is people, let me say it again, THEIR BIGGEST NEED IS PEOPLE!!!!!!

After talking it over with them we have decided to try and coordinate a group of work teams to go down for a week at a time to work with their effort. They are setting their church up to handle and coordinate 300 volunteers; so far they basically have none as they are just getting started. Our goal is to coordinate at least 30 workers to go down for a week at a time over the next 4 weeks. Please check your schedule and see if you can be available. This will meet 10% of their overall goal.

We will be coordinating transportation, food, sleeping arrangements etc. Expect to sponge bath in the church sinks, at least they have fresh clean water and toilet facilities. Sleeping arrangements may be in tents or beds they are trying to get to set up in the church. Basically groups that go have to be self-sufficient, the church is a coordination point with local needs. We are going to do all we can take make this as comfortable as possible but we are unsure of what we will have to take with us at this time.

The first group will leave Sunday from the Church building. We are trying to coordinate a send off at this time.

We are in need of the following:

Callers - we need some people to get on the phone to local business to help us get tools, supplies and other items to go with us.

Vehicles - if you have a truck or a trailer they are in desperate need of these down there. If you can't go but would be willing to let it be used please let us know. We also need a larger vehicle like a moving van or semi to haul items.

Tools - they need rakes and shovels mostly. Generators would also be a big help as the weeks go on an portable power for tools become necessary.

Supplies - garbage bags are heavily needed at this time.

All the above would help but we need you. Ask your employer is they will support you in this work and allow you to go without costing you vacation time.

This process is going to be long and difficult and they are going to need help first in cleaning up the unbelievable mess, then there will be significant demolition work, and then the rebuilding and repairing process. We are committing to put teams together for one month but we would like to continue beyond that so please get back to me if you want to go but can't go until October.

I have agreed to coordinate the work teams and help raise funds. I can be reached at this email address or on Cell phone at 614-288-5825 during the work day or my home phone is best in the evening and weekends at 614-891-6887.

Gary Carmichael is coordinating supplies so if you have rakes, garbage bags, chainsaws, or shovels please call Gary at 740-965-2137.

Robin is coordinating logistics. He is leaving with another group to deliver much needed propane and other supplies tomorrow and will go visit the church we will be working with as well as the other items we will need to take into consideration.

The first work team will leave on September 11, (how appropriate) and will include Robin and Gary for sure. They will return on Saturday the 17th.

The second team will leave on Sunday September 18.

Team 3 will leave on September 25

Team 4 will leave on October 2.

Please check your calendars and sign up to work for a week. The church said all ages are welcome but they can not be responsible for small children ect. It will most likely be best to leave any at home who can not work out in the field for at least 8 to 10 hours.

More will follow as we get it together but we need you praying and checking your schedules now. Lets help make our Christianity active and go help if we can.

Because He loves us,

Brad Hayes

Destination

Contact Information

Telephone: 985-626-8360

FAX: 985-626-8366

Address: Tammany Oaks Church of Christ

P.O. Box 22

Mandeville, LA 70470-0022

Web Site: www.tammanyoaks.org

Office Coordinator: bgilbert@tammanyoaks.org

Minister: tvogt@tammanyoaks.org

Family Minister: edavenport@tammanyoaks.org