CBF's response team, led by CBF Partner, Rev. Moose Jackson, National Director, American Baptist Association, entered the NJ area early Saturday, November 3, three days after Sandy struck the area. Within 72 hours I was notified of a special gift being arranged by a supporting group from a US military base to assist us in quick response to the predicted winter storm following the hurricane.
The assessment team had determined that the greatest need at the moment
was heat. With power off to much of the area we were working in (Union Beach, NJ),
families were about to enter a second week of cold. Over the next several
days we purchased and distributed 23 state of the art liquid gas heaters along
with 20 gallons of fuel each, 56 winter jackets, many heavy duty battery
powered lanterns and food and water to more than 100 families.
On the weekend, 30 very excited, and willing to work, students from Eastern University
in Wayne, PA
joined our team in assisting in debris removal, pressure spraying and general
cleanup. After nine days our group returned home. Rev. Jackson shared
that he needed an emotional break since recipients of the heaters always asked
how much we were charging for them, but then began crying when told they were
free and given by people who care.
While our work in NJ was progressing we were in constant contact with
Pastor Alan Sherouse, Metro
Baptist Church,
NYC. This CBF church will be our base for long term relief in the
NYC. Alan is preparing to assistance in the Rockaway area of Long Island, where CBS
60 Minutes based its report last Sunday night. To help in this
effort CBFResponds has shared the special financial gift with Metro; however,
additional funds are greatly needed and can be sent direct or through
CBFResponds.
Charles Ray
CBFResponds Coordinator
1504 Martin Luther King
Drive
Little Rock,
AR 72202
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