Tornado damage in Americus, Georgia. Photo by Tim Stover, PDA National Response Team member
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with the communities of Enterprise, Alabama, and Americus, Georgia, as they begin recovery efforts following the March 2, 2007 tornadoes. PDA sent One Great Hour of Sharing funds to help with the response as well as two members of the PDA National Response Team to help formulate a long-term response plan.
A report from National Response Team (NRT) members Rick Turner and Bobb Barnes indicates that while the tornado caused significant damage in the areas where it touched down, the community has already begun to address an ecumenical, coordinated response.
Turner and Barnes met with the Pastor Dan McMillan of Green Hill Presbyterian Church and Pastor Joe Johnson of Evergreen Presbyterian Church in nearby Dothan and joined them in a disaster recovery and information update meeting at the office of the Mayor of Enterprise.
Generally, there are adequate resources within the community and a commitment by the Presbytery of South Alabama and Presbyterian clergy to participate in recovery efforts. In addition to recovery efforts related to the tornado, there are potential opportunities for improved racial relations and collaboration between the currently racially segregated clergy fellowship groups in Enterprise.
A volunteer intake center has been set up in cooperation with the City of Enterprise. Volunteer Teams are being housed at Christ the King Lutheran Church, and Lutheran Disaster Response is helping with case management. Volunteer teams can register by contacting Mark Johnson, State Coordinator for Lutheran Disaster Response at (251) 824-7026 or markj@lfcs.org.
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