Springfield remains in need of Disaster Relief volunteers

SPRINGFIELD – More than six weeks after heavy ice and snow began snapping trees and tearing down power lines along Interstate 44, Missouri’s Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are still hauling debris and witnessing as they do it.

As of press time, more than 6,300 volunteers from Baptist conventions across the nation had pitched in, providing 33,042 hot meals, clearing debris from 2,888 yards. They also presented the Gospel 508 times and saw 22 people come to Christ.

But with over 350 jobs left to complete and volunteers running low on energy and time they can spend away from work, the call is going out for fresh volunteers, trained or untrained.

Danny Decker, state Disaster Relief director, said there will be a major push to finish the cleanup in the Springfield area March 3.

“We need brush pullers,” he said. “This could be a good opportunity for a youth group, a BSU group or a Sunday School class. We also ask disaster relief workers who are chainsaw trained to bring a chainsaw and safety equipment and assist us.”

Volunteers for this latest push will meet at 8 a.m. at Second Baptist Church in Springfield.

For more information, contact Decker at (573)-680-3701.

In other disaster relief news, disaster relief training for chainsaw, feeding and shower trailer units will be March 16-17 in Marshall. There will also be training for current “blue hats” and head cooks. The training costs $25 and is payable at the training site. For more information or to pre-register, contact Gwen Martin at 1-800-736-6227.