Compassion Extreme

Going To MO to help clean up from Ice Storm

Hey everyone!

We are leaving Tuesday morning at 8:30am departing from 145 N. Telemachus, New Orleans, LA 70119

From what I am being told, we need the following:

-chainsaws
-gas containers (we will have to fill up well outside of the area as most gas stations are shut down, only a few remain open)
-winter clothing; coats, gloves, caps, boots, etc. – this is for volunteer use and families
-candles
-matches
-lanterns
-generators
-dry goods
-canned foods


We plan on helping out with the following:

-tree removal
-canvassing neighborhoods and checking on families, keeping track of the location of each house/family and their needs
-delivering meals for the Red Cross


We are going to be working with:

-Christian County Emergency Team
-MO Disaster Relief Team
-The Red Cross


We have the local newspaper lined up to meet us on site at the church and we will be calling for a press conference encouraging local residents to volunteer their time, resources and supplies to help the less fortunate.



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I am originally from Springfield, MO.

I don’t know if you have read the news lately or have heard what is going on in the area; however Springfield is 65% without power and many neighborhoods have been without power since Friday evening. The entire area was hit by a horrific ice storm that concludes this evening. The entire state has been declared a “state of emergency” and there are a total of 400 National Guardsmen in the city removing debris and assisting families.

I was on the phone today with several churches and those I was able to get through are now Red Cross Shelters housing 100 families each and a few “warming centers” have been set up as well. There have also been other places of business coordinated as shelters only for the power to go out.

Relief Spark has been fortunate enough to have been contacted by a church in Nixa, MO (a neighboring town) that can house our volunteers – up to 50. There is a shower, kitchen facilities and classrooms that will be available for our use. There is also a large parking lot for delivering of relief supplies and distribution.

Our plan is to drive to Nixa, MO this evening and meet the local press to deliver our plan on TV. I know well enough that we can attract local volunteers that will have access to supplies such as chainsaws, winter gear, blankets, propane and camping gear – not to mention food to prepare and deliver to families in need.

What we need is YOU.

Do you have volunteers that would be interested in joining us on our trip or meeting us there later?

We will be in the Springfield/Nixa area until Saturday at which point we will be returning to New Orleans.

Here is some information that you may forward or pass out (along with the email above) to any and all interested parties:

RELIEF SPARK CARAVAN LEAVES TONIGHT AT 145 N. TELEMACHUS, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119 AT 8:30AM ON TUESDAY, January 16TH, 2007.

WE WILL BE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE FOLLOWING STAGING AREA:

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
160 ALDERSGATE DRIVE
NIXA, MO

POINT OF CONTACT AT THE CHURCH IS PASTOR DENNIS MILLER

OFFICE: 417.725.4949
CELL: 417.848.8607

ALL VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING WITH THEM:

WINTER CLOTHING, COATS, WINTER PANTS, GLOVES, WINTER CAPS, SCARFS, ETC.
WINTER BOOTS OR RUBBER BOOTS

SPENDING MONEY (I.E. EMERGENCY CASH)

RELIEF SPARK WILL BE PROVIDING:

MEALS
SAFETY GLASSES
WORK GLOVES
HARD HATS
SAFETY VESTS

POINT OF CONTACT WITH RELIEF SPARK, SIDNEY RAY: 310.270.3332 – CELL

WE ARE RETURNING TO NEW ORLEANS, LA FRIDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2007

+++++++++++++++++++++

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: PLEASE EMAIL SRAY@RELIEFSPARK.ORG OR CALL US AT 310.270.3332


WE ARE ACCEPTING RELIEF SUPPLIES SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:

-BLANKETS

-WINTER GEAR – COATS, BOOTS, GLOVES, HATS, ETC.

-WINTER SHOES/BOOTS

-PROPANE

-CAMPING BURNERS

-HEAT PACKETS

-LANTERNS

-FLASHLIGHTS

-GAS CARDS

-ANY SORT OF GIFT CARDS





Sidney Ray
NOLA Operations Director