Southern Baptist Gulf Coast Relief Efforts Fueled with Over $18 Million
Concern for the affected thousands across the Gulf and southeastern coasts of the states continues to stay afloat within the nation as one of the largest disaster relief organizations received more than $18 million in contributions.
Concern for the affected thousands across the Gulf and southeastern coasts of the states continues to stay afloat within the nation as one of the largest disaster relief organizations received more than $18 million in contributions.
In checks ranging from $25-$100, the North American Mission Board took in a generous flow of more than 25,000 separate donations including letters of concern and gratitude to Southern Baptists who have made unprecedented relief efforts since Hurricane Katrina hit two months ago.
Already, nearly $10 million has been allocated to the storm-stricken areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama and Florida where Southern Baptist churches and individuals are in need of food, water and spiritual care.
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"The North American Mission Board has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on food, fuel, lodging, communications, building materials and other immediate needs for victims, families, churches, pastors, relief workers and others in the affected areas," said NAMB President Robert E. Reccord, according to the NAMB. "And, we’ve sent over $9 million dollars to our mission partner state conventions in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas because they’re the ones who know the needs better than anyone else."
President George W. Bush surveyed assistance in Florida last week to ensure victims of the latest Hurricane Wilma were being assessed and that federal relief efforts dovetailed with state response.
With the estimated damage costs having risen to $12 billion, according to Risk Management Solutions, the American public has kept funds pouring into relief agencies.
NAMB reports that contributions have arrived from every state in the union from churches to state Baptist conventions and individuals and nonbelievers.
Disaster relief has brought Southern Baptists together in greater cooperative and interdependent efforts than any other time.
"...those funds epitomize our interdependence as Southern Baptists," said Reccord. "We depend on each other to be able to minister and witness to those around us. Cooperation is the key to Southern Baptists and nothing has demonstrated that cooperation like disaster relief."
To make a contribution to NAMB relief efforts, visit www.NAMB.net.
