The hills from whence our help came are now stricken by flooding
By Guy Page
When flooding hit Vermont in 2023 and 2024, people from Down South rushed north to offer aid.
Among them were a swift boat rescue team from North Carolina. As noted by Gov. Phil Scott last week, that team’s hometown has been hard hit by Hurricane Helene.
Also, Vermonters may remember the big yellow buses and hundreds of volunteers from Southen Baptist Disaster Relief. SBDR is one of the nation’s Big Three disaster relief organizations, along with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. In Barre and Montpelier they delivered water, mucked out garages, counseled, and basically did whatever it took. They didn’t ask for any money, they just lent a hand – for weeks.
So did the Samaritan’s Purse (founded and operated by Billy Graham’s son Franklin) and the Billy Graham Association. One of the centers of the Billy Graham ministry is located just outside Asheville, North Carolina. The retreat center called The Cove is closed indefinitely.
And who can forget those joyfully singing ladies mucking out basements in Barre? Some were from Broadway, VA which thankfully is out of Virginia’s hurricane-struck region. But churches there are mobilizing to help flood-ravaged southern Virginia.
Many Vermonters have been asking how our churches and other interested people and organizations can help with the Hurricane Helene Relief effort. Here is one tangible way.
According to Vermont Regional Coordinate of Russell Rathier of Baptist Care of New England (rrathier@bcne.net), you can send cash offerings and 100% will go to assist the victims, no overhead costs with Disaster Relief. Send Donations by check to Capstone Baptist Church at PO Box 459, North Bennington, VT and write “DR support for Hurricane Helene” in the memo.
Also, Ed Lucas is BCNE New England Disaster Relief director and a member of Capstone Church. He is also setting up a Vermont Mission Team to go help out in November. Interested parties should contact him at e.lucas@nebcvt.org.
Here is a list of items that are being collected for North Carolina and need to be dropped off by Saturday, October 12.
- Water, Water bottles.
- Toiletries, Shampoo, Soap, Q-Tip’s, Razors, Shaving cream, Deodorant, Mouthwash, Wipes, Lotion, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste.
- Laundry supplies, Bath towels, Wash clothes, Scent Free Detergent, Scent Free Dryer sheets.
- Diapers, Baby powder, Baby wipes, Feminine hygiene products
- Paper goods, Toilet paper, Paper towels, Paper plates,
- Plastic cups, Plastic silverware, Plastic bowls
- Blankets, Cots, House fans
- Clothing New or slightly worn, socks
- Generators, Empty Gas cans
- Rakes, Shovels, Brooms, squeegees, wheelbarrows, Mops, empty 5-gallon buckets w/ lids
- Contractors Bags, Garbage bags, Garbage cans
- 1-gal and 2-gal pump sprayers
- PPE’s work gloves, rubber gloves, eye protection, ear protection, Tyvek suits, rubber boots,
- Cleaning supplies, Concrobium, shop vacs,
- Cots, sleeping bags, pillows, Blankets
- Pet supplies, dog food, cat food, horse food, Hay or straw
- Medical supplies, first aid kits
- Gift cards