Mission of Compassion 7: Mena

[Jeff Smith]

Saturday, April 18th we will embark on Mission of Compassion 7 to Mena, Arkansas.

The facts:
A 2/3 mile wide EF-3 tornado tore through downtown Mena Arkansas last Thursday, killing 3 and injuring dozens. The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 1000 homes when it ripped through the town. Here is a news story from a Fort Smith TV station concerning the damage.

What we can do:
We will be collecting relief items this week to take to Mena. Items include cleaning supplies such as trash bags, work gloves, paper towels, etc. to non-perishable/canned food items to baby needs like diapers, formula and baby food. We will also collect school supplies because several schools were damaged by the storm. Thanks to Pastor Rod Baker, we will be able to procure some water/PowerAde and some snacks from Victory Christian Center.


If you would like to help out, please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 918-808-4683. Thanks in advance for your help and support!!

I will post updates here as I get more information on specific needs.

Also, our brand new website is up and running!! Please check it out at:http://www.missionofcompassion.net/
Keep in mind that the site is a work in progress, with more pics & video content being added daily. Special shout out to Lanny Dean for helping me with the site!! Thanks Lanny!! Check out his website at:http://www.extremechasetours.com/

Also want to mention Heidi Farrar....Heidi has helped immensely on our missions doing phone work and talking to victims of the tornadoes in Lone Grove and Mena. Thanks Heidi!!

 

[Heidi Farrar]

Here's an update:

Three churches are serving as the collection areas and are working together to serve everyone who needs supplies, to be fed, sheltered, etc.

Water is no longer in as huge of demand; someone showed up with a semi full of water yesterday. Still on the list:

diapers
wipes
BUCKETS (for cleaning and hauling water)
totes (basically large storage-containers)
trash bags

These churches are also feeding a LOT of people -- not just those who lost their homes, but the relief workers and debris removal crews as well. I don't think anyone will turn away food items.

After speaking to a few people yesterday, and then again a few minutes ago, it is clear that the gravity of the situation has begun to sink in. When a disaster like this strikes, it takes some time for the affected people to realize that the situation they're now in isn't going away immediately. Cool, dreary weather doesn't help either. According to the lady I spoke with a while ago, there are roughly 500 homes that are now uninhabitable. The situation in Mena is not in the headlines, and they're not close enough to a metro area to make a difference that way, so it makes me wonder whether they will get the relief they need in a timely manner. - I think I'll go ahead and let the mainstream media know that a hungry, homeless pirate was spotted in the damage path standing in close proximity to the Obamas' dog...

((Edit: Before anyone gets in an uproar, the pirate/dog reference is intended to spotlight the media's current focus. /potentially needless explanation))

 

[Jeff Smith]

Donations..

Many have asked about donating. Thank you! You can send a donation to my PayPal at stormrider1970(at)gmail(dot)com. I used the parentheses to prevent spammers, of course. Or if you wish, just send a check made out to New Life Baptist Church
%Mission of Compassion
10336 E. 2nd St.
Claremore, Ok. 74019

We have a mission of Compassion fund set up at the church.

Again, thank you for the immense response!

 

[Jeff Smith]

Thursday update

Good morning,
I just wanted to update everyone on the Mena trip. We have been gathering donations and this trip it looks like we will need 2 trailers and three pickups and maybe more!! So far I have 5-6 people confirmed to go with us.

We will leave at 8:00AM from New Life Baptist Church in Verdigris and return Saturday evening. It is about 3-1/2 hour drive to Mena but it might be a bit longer according to Karen Leath…lol. We will deliver our supplies to a couple of Mena area churches and possibly hand out some items in the neighborhoods if we have a chance. Some of the victims are living in their damaged homes because they are afraid of looters so there may be an opportunity to go door to door and hand out some of our supplies.

I just spoke with Debbie, who is helping to coordinate the relief effort in Mena. She said that the Red Cross is gone, FEMA has been there but have not determined what assistance they will give, so the load has fallen on the local churches, mainly the 1st Assembly of God and the 1st Baptist church. We need a big push to help these folks as much as we can. It seems like the news stories are gone, except for a few like Brian Efimger's station here: http://www.4029tv.com/video/19197383/index.html , but the victims remain in great need of help.

Here is an updated list of needs for the Mena folks:
Diapers
Trash bags
Cleaning buckets
Storage totes
Handi-wipes
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Work gloves
Canned foods-preferably the industrial size cans—they are feeding a lot of folks!
Non-perishable foods—mashed potato flakes, etc.
Brooms & mops
Pet food—small 5 lb. bags
Tarps
Detergent, dish soap, etc.
Hand operated can openers

Donations can be dropped off at New Life Baptist Church just south of Claremore. Please call me or e-mail me for directions.

Thank you

 

[Jeff Smith]

Help after the storm....

Here is our report from Mission of Compassion number 7. Thank you to all who helped out!!