Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers refuel some chainsaws to continue cutting fallen tree limbs. (Photo: Chris Doyle)
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief (DR) organization have 70 trained volunteers helping Oklahomans affected by the recent ice storms in parts of Oklahoma.
Sam Porter, BGCO Disaster Relief Director, said, “We have received a huge amount of requests for assistance. Our chain saw teams and others are working long hours to help our neighbors in need.”
David Phillips, from Bartlesville, worked with a team of 11 DR volunteers who helped clear out tree limbs in a Yukon neighborhood. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Phillips who has been a DR volunteer for six years. “It’s a joy to help people, and the Lord provides us.”
Disaster Relief Blue Cap Jack McAlester helps remove tree limbs. (Photo: Chris Doyle)
According to Porter, Baptists from other states, including Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas have been recruited to come help. As of Tuesday, Porter said the BGCO already has received hundreds of requests for assistance from its chain saw teams, to clear and remove trees from residences.
“The work our volunteers do at no charge saves each homeowner several thousand dollars for tree limb removal. God has led us to serve our neighbors in need to show His love in Jesus Christ,” he said.
In 2007, Oklahoma Baptists serviced some 4,000 requests after an ice storm, which took more than five weeks of work.
“Recovery to a storm like this is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Porter. “We are prioritizing requests based on the situation at hand and the needs of the people, such as senior adults.”
For more information about Oklahoma Baptists’ relief organization, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.okdisasterhelp.org. At that website, people may find information about how to request assistance and become volunteers as well.
Disaster Relief volunteers work on multiple yards that were affected by the recent ice storm. (Photo: Chris Doyle)
Tree limbs pile up, as Disaster Relief volunteers clear out affected yards (Photo: Chris Doyle)