Some of you have asked, how can we be His hands and His feet for the community of West, TX? And our associate pastor has challenged us to not only pray (which is very important) but to also think of way to turn our faith to action. In that spirit, I wanted to give research and provide some ways we can serve—learned online and from work today.
I researched this today to verify what
was being said by multiple sources – in terms of best ways to help in this
time. Let me say, this does not
represent all the needs or ways to help.
If you know more, share in the comments please! Also, this is meant mainly to help us members at
Hilltop Christian Fellowship, but if you feel it’s helpful--share. However, I am not in any way a “front lines” coordinator
of efforts. Just linking to some great info
out there and trying to help.
Also important to note—I have found,
in times of crisis, there are great “emergency responders” when it first
hits. But it’s also important to
remember, families need “home builders” to walk with them and support them
after everyone leaves and the insurance check clears. Many needs may be long-term. If you can’t help now—there are still more
needs to come! And supporting the local
churches in that area is very important.
GOING TO THE SCENE?
From all sources, they do not want people going to the scene at this
time. Per the Waco Baptist Association: “They do not
need more people going to West right now. The blast area is cordoned off and
more people in town is not helpful.”
DONATION OF GOODS /
SUPPLIES:
Several locations are accepting donations of various kinds. A list of things that are being asked for around
town include: water, Gatorade,
personal items; toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, pots/pans, canned goods, dog
food, cat food , bottles, formula, baby diapers, adult diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer,
hygiene products, medical supplies, snacks, juices, socks, sleeping mats/bags, blankets
(the temperatures are dropping), pillows, coloring books, crayons, school
supplies, tarps, gloves, masks, construction trash bags.....things of this
nature. Also, there are requests for gift
cards, especially Wal-Mart & H-E-B (more on this in a minute, under
supporting the local churches).
Some links are sharing locations to drop off supplies online:
Another location to note:
The Residence & The Retreat @ Central Texas Marketplace
5210 Bagby Ave & 2500 Marketplace Dr Waco, TX 76711
The Residence and
the Retreat are accepting donations from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday in the leasing offices. The items needed are water, clothes, blankets,
towels, personal hygiene items, non-perishable food items, HEB or WalMart gift
cards, etc. We will deliver all donations to designated donation sites as they
come in.
Money is always
needed at this time. If you choose to give money, please do so by check/money
order. Checks may be made payable to The American Red Cross (put 'West, TX' in
the memo line) OR to Point West Bank, 200 W Oak, West, TX 76691. Any checks
dropped off to our offices will be delivered/mailed on Monday, April 22nd.
MONETARY DONATIONS:
As noted above, some places are accepting monetary donations. Some trustworthy places to give include (names below are links):
“Point
West Bank is taking donations for the victims. Donations can be dropped off at locations or
sent to 200 West Oak St., West, TX 76691. Please make checks out to Victims of
West Explosion.”
This is a great way to help. Per
Carter Blood Care: blood
"will be in great demand over the next two weeks" as officials work
to replenish supplies used after Wednesday's incident.
I work across the street from the Waco location at Hwy 84 / New
Road. The line was out the doors today,
all day, even during the rain! As such: Carter Blood Care may ask those wishing
to donate to schedule an appointment for a later date. “Due to overwhelming support, we may ask to
schedule your appt. in the days or weeks to come, to support recovery of all
ongoing needs.”
Find a Carter Blood Care location
near you here.
SUPPORT THE FIRST
RESPONDERS:
One great idea shared online: “In the coming days support for responders
and volunteers will be needed. You may consider putting together personal care
packages for those individuals. Often desired items include hygiene products,
gloves (both work & sanitary), dust masks, sun screen, new socks, sport
drink mix, wipes and hand sanitizer. I will also pass along that beef jerky
type snacks are often the first things requested by firefighters at ERVs. Those
collecting items may want to consider setting aside kits like this for those
helping in the field.”
From a friend, whose husband was at the scene: “Husband just came from West & stated there
are plenty of supplies (at this time) such as water, blankets, etc. He stated
that everyone is very tired so please keep them in your prayers.”
REMEMBER THE NEXT WAVE TOO
Continue to pray for rest for those
who first responded. More volunteers
will be heading out to help and replenish.
There may be ways to go and serve while the first responders rest and
revitalize. Also remember—insurance adjusters
and engineers will be going out soon to start surveying damages and issuing
settlements. Many families won’t know
what all is needed until that process is complete. Some may be surprised to find out what is and
what isn’t covered. That’s what I do for a living now – advise people of their
coverage. Pray for fair settlements and
for needs to be met as homes and churches are rebuilt.
SUPPORT THE LOCAL CHURCHES THERE:
My friend Craig is the
pastor of FBC Dripping Springs. He wrote
today:
“We are keeping updated with what is going on
with the faith community in West. FBC West pastor John Crowder's house is badly
damaged, but he and his family are ok. My friend Jack Bodenhamer is pastor at
FBC Elm Mott (9 miles from West). He is a volunteer fire fighter and left
church last night on a call to go help in West. He is also ok.”
The Waco BaptistAssociation is working with the BGCT & Texas Baptist Men to help coordinate
efforts with FBC West. Tim Randolph,
director of the WRBA, wrote today:
“The church building was affected, but doesn't
appear to make it unsafe. The engineers and architects from the BGCT are
evaluating this today. They want to have services in their church building on
Sunday…The church family of FBC West did not suffer any fatalities (that we
know of yet), but many were injured, some seriously. They are still combing
through the ruins to find bodies and missing people. The church is pulling
together magnificently. They have formed an organized telephone campaign to
check on every member. They have all found shelter temporarily. The pastor's
home was destroyed and he has not been able to go into the community to see it.
One thing they desperately need is to go to their place of temporary residence
and to rest. That will eventually come…
There is nothing anyone can do from outside the
community except to pray, give blood at
your local blood bank, and/or donate money. There are several groups
collecting money. We are collecting offerings here at the WRBA and through our website. All of the funds collected
will be forwarded to the FBC West to help the families with rebuilding their
houses and the church. There will be times in the future when other kinds of
more personal help will be welcome.”
A great
suggestion was made to start collecting Wal-Mart gift cards or other kinds of
gift cards to give to local churches there at a later time, as they help
families rebuild.
CONTINUE TO STAY INFORMED ONLINE:
Besides the info above, continue to keep informed via online source. Some great info I was able to find today came
from:
Baylor Supports West (Facebook page)
Baylor Relief Online
Prayers for Victims of Waco/West TX
Fertilizer Plant Disaster (Facebook Page)
Waco Trib Online
SOME THINGS I’VE
LEARNED:
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I helped coordinate some
relief efforts. And here’s some things I
learned, that I feel apply now:
1.) Be
sensitive to the situation. Listen to
those in authority (i.e. what is needed, when it’s needed, how to give
it). Don’t try to force kindness. If they say to wait, wait. If they say go, go. Be patient with those on the front lines. Praying IS doing something!
2.) Check
the “facts” with multiple sources, if possible.
Be wise. Sadly, some have already
begun creating false organizations / bank accounts to try and benefit from the
disaster. Again, verify validity of the
effort.
3.) Support
is exactly that—support. And partnering
with others in accomplishing good is just as valuable as leading efforts to
achieve that good. As Mr. Rogers once
said: “Look for the helpers!” Be a
helper in the image of the Spirit, our Helper.
I pray this is helpful for you as we seek together to serve our brothers
and sisters in West!
I'll leave you with a picture from the famous Czech Stop in West, TX, being shared online--as they have been open today and serving those who are serving others...
