ABHMS rallies for relief as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton amid ongoing post-Helene recovery efforts
VALLEY FORGE, PA (10/09/2024)—Approximately two weeks after historic Hurricane Helene slammed into the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast and left more than 200 confirmed dead along its path of devastation across multiple southeast states, Hurricane Milton is poised to strike Florida near Tampa Bay.
The National Hurricane Center reports that Milton “exploded in strength and intensity at a near-record pace” and predicts it will barrel ashore overnight, Wednesday into Thursday, as a disastrous Category 4 storm on an eastward trajectory. Officials cite a potential for extreme destruction and have urged mass evacuations of the highly populated area.
In the meantime, relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene are gaining momentum. “It is distressing to see images of the havoc caused by Helene and know that all the destruction represents lost lives, homes, businesses, and entire towns,” said Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS executive director. “American Baptists have a long history of disaster response as part of our Christian witness. We are directing donations and will strategically coordinate volunteer efforts as soon as reasonably possible,” he added, noting that some hard-hit locations are already experiencing a large influx of volunteers who will need guidance.
Haggray went on to explain that American Baptist Men are en route to North Carolina with two shower and laundry trailers that they maintain. “Because of the generosity of American Baptists through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), ABHMS was instrumental in assisting in the purchase of these trailers for disaster response such as this,” he said.
The Rev. Lisa Harris Lee also offered her perspective as director of Healing & Transforming Communities at ABHMS: “We grieve and pray with the millions of people who were overwhelmed by Hurricane Helene and those now threatened by Hurricane Milton. In addition to financial donations, calls and emails have been coming in daily from American Baptists across the nation who are ready to help. We are in daily communication with American Baptist Churches of the South and other leaders across the six states in greatest need.”
As examples of post-Helene recovery efforts underway in Florida, but temporarily halted by Milton’s approach, Harris Lee cited the work of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, and First Institutional Baptist Church in St. Petersburg. Congregation members have been helping residents remove drywall from flood-damaged homes as part of crisis cleanup, providing support for temporary housing, and assisting with transporting daily wage workers who lost their vehicles to flood waters.
Harris Lee also underscored the importance of contacting appropriate federal authorities by those needing relief to gain access to available government resources. “There are FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, temporary offices set up after a disaster, to provide assistance with applying for federal relief, including answering questions about the application process and obtaining help in submitting information to FEMA.”
The Disaster Assistance Program Hotline for FEMA Assistance is 800-276-9511. To locate the most convenient FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, visit the DRC locator.
How you can help:
Please join American Baptists in supporting the relief efforts directed toward those affected by the recent hurricanes and their aftermath. One hundred percent of designated OGHS gifts are allocated to domestic disaster relief to address immediate needs and often long afterward as additional needs emerge. All your gifts will make a difference in the lives of people you may or may not know and show the love of God when and where it is needed most.
The World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA administers OGHS. The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing the distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.
You can donate via your church or directly online through ABHMS’ convenient portal.
Checks designated to OGHS–Hurricanes Helene and Milton should be mailed to ABHMS’ Office of Development care of Kim Wilkins, 1075 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. If intended, donor checks should also include the name of the donor’s church and indicate “Helene and Milton” in the memo section of the check to ensure that the church receives credit for the gift.
To learn more about ABHMS, visit abhms.org.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
