Supporting OGHS in Bastrop County, TX
Members of First Presbyterian in Smithville, TX participate in Blue Shirt Sunday
By: Alan Ford, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for Mission Presbytery
Members of First Presbyterian, Smithville, Texas, wore blue Sunday, March 5, to salute PDA for your wonderful assistance in the aftermath of several disasters in Bastrop County, Texas.
In 2011, wildfires destroyed over 1600 homes in Bastrop County. PDA helped us set up a Volunteer Village in Smithville where, over the course of a year and a half, we hosted over a thousand volunteers from all over the U.S. A shower trailer from PDA as well as truckloads of tools and equipment were absolutely essential. But perhaps the biggest contribution was the supply of NRT members and National Volunteers who were experienced in managing a host site.
Since 2013, Bastrop County has experienced several flood and windstorm disasters. In 2016, PDA provided a $10,000 grant to help fund a session of Camp Noah, an ecumenical preparedness and resiliency day camp for elementary school children affected by disaster. This camp session was considered highly beneficial not only for the children, but also for the many local volunteers involved in putting it on.
Our modest One Great Hour of Sharing gifts have been returned to us many times over. Many thanks and blessings, PDA!
In 2011, wildfires destroyed over 1600 homes in Bastrop County. PDA helped us set up a Volunteer Village in Smithville where, over the course of a year and a half, we hosted over a thousand volunteers from all over the U.S. A shower trailer from PDA as well as truckloads of tools and equipment were absolutely essential. But perhaps the biggest contribution was the supply of NRT members and National Volunteers who were experienced in managing a host site.
Since 2013, Bastrop County has experienced several flood and windstorm disasters. In 2016, PDA provided a $10,000 grant to help fund a session of Camp Noah, an ecumenical preparedness and resiliency day camp for elementary school children affected by disaster. This camp session was considered highly beneficial not only for the children, but also for the many local volunteers involved in putting it on.
Our modest One Great Hour of Sharing gifts have been returned to us many times over. Many thanks and blessings, PDA!
For more information on One Great Hour of Sharing, click here.