Hurricane Ida Disaster Response

August 30, 2021

Friends of the Alabama West Florida Conference,
 
In light of Hurricane Ida making landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi over the weekend, I wanted to provide you with an update on what we know so far and make you aware of ways you can help. To our knowledge, we have not had any reports of significant damage in our conference. If you have damage, please be sure to report it to your DDRC (District Disaster Recovery Coordinator) and your DS (District Superintendent). See each DDRC and their contact listed below.  
 
We have already been in contact with both the Louisiana and Mississippi Conferences and are preparing to offer help in three different ways. 

1. We will be receiving monetary donations through an online portal available in this link (select Hurricane Ida in dropdown menu). You may also mail your offering to the conference office. Please designate any funds mailed in with "project 207" in the memo line. 
2. Once we know what supplies are needed, we will distribute a list of requested items.
3. Once Louisiana and Mississippi are ready to receive help, we will be sending Early Response Teams to assist with debris removal, muck and gut, and tarping, etc. This may happen as soon as next week. 

Please remember to NOT SELF DEPLOY as you will do more harm than good. This includes taking supplies and sending ERTs without being invited. We need to keep the roads clear for first responders, emergency management, and power companies. Please be in contact with your District Disaster Recovery Coordinator (DDRC) and let them know how you can respond so that we may communicate and coordinate all efforts. 

I am beyond grateful to be serving in a conference where our churches are so generous with their time and resources! Thank you all for being a reflection of Christ to the world around us!
 
DDRC (District Disaster Recovery Coordinator) By District
Baypines District:             Jennifer Myrick                 251.510.1628
Marianna PC District:       Chris Ackerman                850.819.5685
Demopolis District:           Chris Ackerman                850.819.5685
Dothan District:                 Steve Reneau                  334.201.6671
Mobile District:                  Jared Parker                    334.389.1382
Montgomery- Opelika:      John Fox                          334.744.5744
Montgomery- Prattville:    John Swanson                  334.467.1130
Pensacola District:            Ron Toole                         850.582.2605

Blessings,
Rev. Chris Ackerman
AWF Director of Disaster Recovery