NTC gifts help restore flood-damaged Gainesville

BY STACIE POLK
Gainesville LTDRC

After the devastating flood that hit Gainesville in June 2007, a group of local business leaders and pastors formed a committee to plan future steps. The group decided the community had to come together to help the people who lost so much.

Through the hard work of this committee, the Long Term Disaster Recovery Center (LTDRC) was developed. The center is made up of mainly volunteers that began helping the families to repair the damage to their homes and to meet their everyday needs. The volunteers, again from the community, have helped over 160 families, and the number helped continues to increase.

 The center is a not-for-profit organization, meaning it is dependent on donations of both gently used items and monetary donations. Many different groups and individuals have come in to help with the clean up and rebuilding, either as mission work or just simply because they want to help.

LTDRC Board member Rev. Rob Spencer, pastor of Whaley UMC, Gainesville, said, "To me one of the greatest things to see from all of this is how the churches of the community have come together to work as one for the good of the community."

Rev. Spencer continued, "I was also overwhelmed by the response from UM churches in the NTC during the flood. I have never felt more connected than during those first couple of weeks. The calls and support that we received made a tremendous difference during the 17 days we operated the Red Cross shelter at Whaley. We also really appreciate the financial support as we continue to work together to rebuild Gainesville."

Rev. Spencer explained that NTC, through the generosity of members and churches, has helped with immediate flood needs and helped financially in supporting a caseworker coordinator staff position for the LTDRC.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) recommended financial support for this position as the best way to deploy and manage caseworkers. UMCOR representatives advised that the recovery effort would last 18 to 24 months.

"We are now in the eleventh month, and UMCOR has been a tremendous source of strength for us as we put together and implement the recovery plan," Rev. Spencer adds.

Case worker Merisha Morrow was quoted as saying, "At the beginning I was so lost and did not know where to begin, but through hard work and determination I feel as if I have been able to make a difference.

I also can't help but think that it could be me who needs the help next time, and I hope there would be people there for me."

So many people have been helped through the LTDRC, and one reason is the hard work and dedication of the Board members, Revs. Spencer and Mark Denison, co-chairs, and Scott Sunbey, Angie Hare, Aaron Davis, Charles Draper, Bennelle Fitts, Sister Mary Helen Fuhrman, Jim Goldsworty, Melissa Hillis, Frank Lorne and Tricia West. And, the work could not be accomplished without the numerous and wonderful volunteers.

Of the eight case workers staffing the LTDRC, three are from Whaley UMC and were trained by UMCOR.

The LTDRC is located at 1103 E. California St. For more information, Please call 940-727-8065, or visit the office 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Thanks!

On behalf of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Center, I thank the NTC and its members for being a community willing to help others.

When I was first approached to be the Case Manager, I had no idea of what to expect. I was first trained by UMCOR, Then, I began working at the LTDRC doing casework as well as overseeing all the caseworkers and their cases. Were it not for the wonderful caseworkers and their commitment to the families, this would have been such a different outcome.

I cannot quite explain the feeling I have knowing that in some way we have been able to make a difference in the lives of so many in our community. I thank God every day for opening doors and allowing me to be part of such a wonderful group of people willing to help wherever we are needed.

Stacie Polk