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Samaritan's Purse volunteers brought relief and hope to hundreds after an ice storm crippled a community in Middle Tennessee
The freezing rain began falling from the sky before dawn on Feb. 21. When it finally stopped hours later, up to an inch of ice coated trees and power lines in Monterey, a small town in Middle Tennessee. Limbs began snapping and falling. Roofs, yards, roads, and sidewalks were littered with the debris. "This is the largest disaster Putnam County has had in recorded history," said Brandon Smith, manager of the Emergency Operations Center headquartered in Monterey.
Samaritan's Purse responded by sending staff, volunteers, and equipment to help homeowners reeling from the ice storm.
Over the next four-plus weeks, 329 volunteers worked out of our base at First Baptist Church in Monterey. We completed 346 jobs, providing relief and hope for people who didn't know where to turn for help.
A Terrible Storm
The town and county were overwhelmed by the scope of the disaster. "It was just the enormity of it," Mayor Bill Wiggins said. "We have a population of 2,500, one dump truck, and one backend loader."
Samaritan's Purse staff members arrived in Monterey the day after the storm, and began meeting with government officials and church leaders. "I was in panic mode, and they came and found us and said what can we do to help?" said Jeremy Flatt, the youth pastor at First Baptist. "I didn’t know Samaritan's Purse had disaster relief. We knew the shoeboxes, was all. Now everybody in Monterey knows what they do."
Our teams were a welcome sight as we began to work while the snow was still on the ground.
Equipped To Help
The First Baptist Church in Monterey served as the hub of our response. It's where volunteers came for orientation, and where those from outside the area stayed. Our cooks prepared meals before and after the workday. The Samaritan's Purse disaster relief unit was based there, along with other equipment. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team chaplains also worked out of the base.
The disaster relief unit serves as the command post for every response. Homeowners in need of help can come and fill out work orders. The unit is fully stocked with tools and other equipment. Staff and volunteers stay back at base camp to make repairs and keep everything running.
The Hands and Feet of Jesus
Volunteers came from near and far to help. Chainsaws, wood chippers, rakes, and willing hands were the tools they used to help in the Name of Jesus.
Helping Homeowners
Our volunteers did so much more than just cut up trees and clear debris. They took the time to talk with the homeowners, conveying the care and compassion of Christ. When each job was completed, they prayed with those they helped and presented them with a Bible signed by each team member. By witnessing in word and deed our teams, in close conjunction with the Rapid Response Team chaplains, led 37 people to faith in Jesus.
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Children who complete all 12 lessons receive a certificate at graduation. This official memento of their accomplishment is a treasured keepsake for many.
In addition to receiving a certificate, The Greatest Journey graduates receive a New Testament in their own language. This may be the first copy of the Scriptures they or their family have ever owned.
This colorful 12-lesson resource equips the student to follow along with the story, memorize verses, and do activities in class or as homework.
This in-depth manual helps instructors apply Bible stories to their students’ lives to encourage the boys and girls to re-tell them to others. With the help of this resource, The Greatest Journey teachers are taught to be good storytellers who ask questions of children to keep them engaged. This method allows nonliterate cultures to participate and equips teachers to continue discipleship lessons with their students long after they complete the workbook.
Personal Care Items
Examples include toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
The Greatest Gift Gospel Booklet
This booklet invites children to receive God’s Greatest Gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. It is used in more than 80 languages.
The Ministry Partner Guide
This resource equips local churches with information on how to organize a distribution, share the Gospel, and invite boys and girls to participate in follow-up discipleship.
Clothing and Accessories
Examples Include t-shirts (size adult large or smaller), socks, hats, gloves, sunglasses, hairclips, jewelry, watches, flashlights, batteries, plastic storage boxes, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Other
If you have a question about your product or service as a gift-in-kind, please contact us via the form below.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Locations
Before being shipped overseas, each gift must be inspected and prepared. Millions of shoeboxes and thousands of volunteers take up a lot of space. You can help us each fall by donating empty warehouse space to be used as a processing center. A facility from 30,000 to 100,000 square feet is needed near Atlanta.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Printing
After receiving a shoebox gift, many children have the opportunity to learn more about the Gospel through our Biblical discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. You can donate printing for leaders’ guides, lesson books, or New Testaments.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
A step-by-step suggested presentation of the Gospel appears in the Ministry Partner Guide along with a series of two-panel posters that illustrate the text. This guide fosters consistency in how the Good News is presented during Operation Christmas Child outreach events.
Este recurso a color de 12 lecciones permite al estudiante a seguir la historia, memorizar versículos, y hacer actividades en clase o como tarea en casa.
Completo con ilustraciones a color, este folleto de historias del Evangelio presenta a Cristo a niños y niñas y los invita a seguirlo. ¡Algunos niños consideran esta pieza de su caja de regalo como su favorita!
En la Guía de Compañeros de Ministerio aparece una presentación del Evangelio paso a paso, junto con una serie de posters de dos paneles que ilustran el texto. Esta guía promueve consistencia en cómo presentar las Buenas Nuevas durante los eventos de evangelismo de Operation Christmas Child.
Este manual detallado ayuda a los instructores a aplicar historias Bíblicas en las vidas de sus estudiantes para animar a los niños y niñas a volverlas a contar a otros. Con la ayuda de este recurso, se enseñan a los maestros de La Gran Aventura a ser buenos contadores de historias que hacen preguntas a los niños para mantenerlos atentos. Este método permite a las culturas analfabetas a participar y capacita a los maestros a continuar las lecciones de discipulado con sus estudiantes mucho después de que ellos hayan completado el libro de trabajo.
Los niños que completan las 12 lecciones reciben un certificado en la graduación. Este momento oficial de su logro es un recuerdo preciado para muchos.
Folleto de Evangelismo El Mejor Regalo
Este folleto invita a los niños a recibir el Mejor Regalo de parte de Dios—Su Hijo Jesucristo. Se usa en más de 80 idiomas.
Guía de Compañeros de Ministerio
Este recurso capacita a las iglesias locales con información de cómo organizar una distribución, compartir el Evangelio e invitar a niños y niñas a participar en el discipulado de seguimiento.
Además de recibir un certificado, los graduados de La Gran Aventura reciben un Nuevo Testamento en su propio idioma. Esta puede ser la primera copia de las Escrituras que ellos o sus familias han tenido.
Complete with colorful illustrations, this Gospel story booklet introduces boys and girls to Christ and invites them to follow Him. Some children find this piece to be their favorite part of their shoebox gift!
Machinery
Equipment can be given outright, loaned to us for a short time, or donated as a rental.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
School Supplies
Examples include pens, pencils and sharpeners, erasers, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Toys
Examples include stuffed animals, dolls, small cars, balls, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Quality Crafts
Examples include metalworking, woodworking, knitting/sewing, leather, beading, children’s craft projects, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Transportation
In the U.S. alone, millions of shoebox gifts are collected at thousands of drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We are looking for companies interested in donating or discounting transportation on a state or national level.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Advertising
Your gift of print, radio, television, or online advertising or airtime can have a tremendous impact by inspiring more individuals to pack shoebox gifts.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Promotions
Gifts such as tickets to events or attractions can provide exciting incentives that can be used during Operation Christmas Child special promotions or contests.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®