News Adventists Work Together on Hurricane Harvey Relief and Recovery Efforts

By: Kimberly Luste Maran, North American Division News, courtesy Adventist Review

Before Hurricane Harvey slammed into the southern coast of Texas on Aug. 25, 2017, Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR) for the North American Division (NAD) convened a meeting with 25 union and local conference ACS DR personnel from across the territory. In it, they shared information from a national disaster response meeting with several agencies—including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross, and other VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)—in preparation for the approaching storm. During the meeting, local preliminary efforts were disclosed and partnerships with United Parcel Service (UPS) and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) were announced.

According to Sherri Watts, associate director of ACS DR for the Southwestern Union Conference, volunteers stocked trailers with clothing, comfort/hygiene kits, flood buckets, and other items. Both the Southwest Region Conference and Texas Conference prepared with plans for warehouse and supply management in Houston and the surrounding area if the need arose. Read More . . .