The year 2016 brought many disasters to the United States, including throughout the Southeast. There is still a need for volunteers, and there will be future needs for volunteers. When cameras and media attention leave a disaster area, so do many of the volunteers. Recovery from disasters can take months and even years. If you would like to volunteer in these efforts, please see the list of opportunities below. Most of these opportunities do not require ERT badges.
For additional opportunities in Southeastern Jurisdiction annual conferences not listed below, click here to visit the UMVIM-SEJ website.
Louisiana
Without the labor power provided by volunteer construction and assistance teams, it will be impossible to complete the tremendous amount of work needed to get people back into their flooded homes.
Visit http://www.louisianadisasterresponse.com/ to learn how you can help.
North Carolina Conference
The North Carolina Conference needs volunteers to help rebuild homes across much of eastern North Carolina. ERTs continue to muck out flooded homes while repair teams begin to do repairs with four Disaster Recovery Centers in Lumberton, Fayetteville, Tarboro, and Windsor. Volunteers are welcome whenever they are available. There is no project cost and volunteer housing is free; however, teams are asked to provide their own meals. Each Center has volunteer housing equipped with sleeping quarters, showers and kitchens. The Centers have site and construction coordinators to oversee work and make certain that building materials are on site as required.
To schedule a team, please contact the NC Conference Disaster Call Center at disasterresponse@nccumc.org, or 1-888-440-9167 and visit the Conference website for additional information about Hurricane Matthew Recovery.
The conference is also looking for two construction coordinators, one in Fayetteville and one in Lumberton. For more information about the position and how to apply please click here.
South Carolina Conference
The 15 months since the flood of October 2015 have been busy in the South Carolina Conference with Early Response and Repair and Recovery volunteer teams. More volunteer teams and individuals are needed and are essential as we move into 2017.
Hurricane Matthew impacted many of the same towns and communities, and some areas have been damaged for the first time. Together, with the help of volunteers, the Conference will continue to minister in all of the Districts that were damaged by both the flood of 2015 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
For more information on the recovery please click here.
Virginia Conference
The Virginia Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry remains hard at work in areas hit by the February 2016 tornado outbreak and the October 2016 flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. The Conference had a tremendous response from short-term mission teams from June-November, and they have an urgent need for teams throughout 2017.
Housing with excellent kitchen facilities is available in each location. There is no charge for teams to serve; teams are only responsible for the cost of the their food and transportation, though financial contributions from teams with available resources are welcome.
If you would like to know more about specific needs and ways you may serve, contact Forrest White, Long Term Recovery Manager and UMVIM Coordinator for the Virginia Conference, at VirginiaUMVIM@gmail.com.
