Day 5: Southeastern Tornadoes & Flood Response Update

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday, a wave of tornadoes rolled across five southern states, leaving at least six people dead and inflicting heavy damage in its wake. Saturday evening, Nashville, Tennessee experienced the fourth worst flood in the state’s history. This flood has taken the lives of six people, and left hundreds coping with flooded cars, apartments, and homes.

Inspiritus has been called in to help in Birmingham, Alabama; Newnan, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee. We've been assembling our three responses and want to give an update on the progress in each of these regions:

ALABAMA:

The Birmingham, Alabama tornado destroyed homes and lives, causing major damage to communities across Central Alabama.

Where:

Inspiritus has set up volunteer operations and a housing station at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL.

Who:

From this site, we will be providing volunteer response services to the communities impacted (such as Pelham and Columbiana).

What:

In Birmingham, we’re coordinating with Southeastern Synod of ELCA and several congregations who are generously providing meals and airport transportation for our disaster response volunteers.

Our disaster relief volunteers are providing free debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, and other assistance as needed.

GEORGIA:

Where:

The Newnan, GA tornado was one mile wide, and had a 170 mph maximum wind speed.

Our teams are currently on the ground in Newnan, GA where we have set up an operations office at the Coweta County Emergency Operations Center. The University of West Georgia has kindly provided 34 dormitory rooms, as well as, dinner for our volunteers during this response.

Who:

Inspiritus staff, Kevin Burgess, and volunteers are helping officials setup and open the local Volunteer Reception Center. Staff have begun to train local county staff and volunteers to conduct Home Damage Assessments across the region. We will assist with coordinating all spontaneous volunteer efforts and support for local families through this center.

What:

In Newnan, GA, Inspiritus is collaborating with local churches and partners, including the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to prepare to stay on the ground in the weeks ahead to support local families with debris removal and emotional and spiritual care.

Our disaster relief volunteers are providing free debris removal, chainsaw and heavy equipment services, roof tarping, public road clearing, and other assistance as needed.

Yesterday, volunteers brought in much needed tools, provided courtesy of the Atlanta Community Tool Bank.

TENNESSEE:

Torrential rains slammed into the Nashville region Saturday night, causing rivers and creeks throughout 4 counties to flood. This flood event has left six people dead, hundreds rescued from flooded cars and homes, and extensive damages to businesses and homes. It is marked as the worst flood in the last decade.

Where:

Inspiritus disaster relief services have been requested to assist in flood response efforts in the Middle Tennessee region.

Who:

Our disaster relief staff are working closely with local Emergency Management officials, the SE Synod of the ELCA, and our local partners to assess and identify ways to help.

What:

Inspiritus is providing remote volunteers to help with the crisis cleanup phone lines and intake requests for assistance from local homeowners.

We are working with partners to identify local unmet needs and will provide updates soon.

HOW TO HELP:

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you'd like to volunteer in the Southeastern Tornadoes and Flood response efforts, please contact Sabrina More: sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

Inspiritus is coordinating volunteers from local communities and afar. People are contacting us from all over the country, and we have volunteers flying in from as far away as Washington and Michigan to help out on the ground. Volunteers are even helping remotely from their homes, supporting Crisis Cleanup requests in Nashville, as well as other opportunities across all three states.

DONATE TODAY: click here

Checks can be mailed to:

Inspiritus
Attn: Disaster Response
731 Peachtree Street NE
Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking below. Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee are in our prayers during this unprecedented time of disaster. Thank you for your prayers and generous support.

Kind Regards,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 1: Preparing to Help After Deadly Tornadoes

A wave of tornadoes rolled across five southern states on Thursday, leaving at least six people dead and inflicting heavy damage in its wake. Fourteen tornadoes alone were reported in Alabama, according to the National Weather Service. All in all, there were 22 tornado reports across Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. (CNN)

Inspiritus stands ready to help as part of our ongoing commitment to assisting impacted communities with basic needs, stability and safety, and we are currently in touch with on-the-ground authorities and partners in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Image c/o Patch/Alabama

Your prayers and donations are critical during this time. We could not do the work we do without your generosity. Financial donations to Inspiritus now, or in the earliest days of a response, support us in deploying a team of staff and skilled volunteers to assess need and establish a response program on the ground as soon as it is safe to do so.

Our disaster relief teams are preparing to help lead volunteers in debris removal, chain-sawing, roof tarping, and other supports to damaged homes and properties. Please consider volunteering to help. We will update you soon with details of where and when we could use your assistance.

To stay on top of our latest information, please follow us on our website weinspirit.org and on all our social channels found at the bottom of this email.

We will continue to keep you informed on any plans for an organized disaster response as they develop. Our hearts are heavy for those impacted by these terrible tornadoes. Please join us in prayer for their swift recovery.

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Day 18: Hear from Disaster Volunteers on the Ground Now

Volunteers on the Ground in Tennessee

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Three weeks ago, Winter Storm Uri created widespread destruction in Overton County, Tennessee. Inspiritus disaster response teams have been on the ground since the storm, providing residents with free chainsaw services to their homes and property.

So far we've completed:

• 104+ hours of heavy equipment operation

• Over 140 project site assessments

• Over 111 jobs

• Over 1,700 volunteer hours

This rapid response effort would not be possible without the support from our partners: Airbnb, Airlink, Home Depot, Overton County, and Christian Emergency Network.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you would like to help empower disaster survivors on their journey from surviving to thriving, come volunteer with us.

We have 2 long-term recovery programs in progress in Southwest Georgia and Cookeville, Tennessee.

We invite you to join us as we help our neighbors recover from the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Michael and the 2020 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes.

• Due to a lack of volunteers in Southwest Georgia, Inspiritus is having to outsource work to contractors…which allows us to help fewer people.

• A lack of volunteers also means that it is taking longer to bring these people home!

If you'd like to volunteer in these recovery efforts in Southwest Georgia and Middle Tennessee, please contact Sabrina More, our Lead Disaster Case Manager / Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Winter Storm Uri. In the meantime, please follow our social media channels @weareinspiritus for the latest news.

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking on the button below. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Inspiritus is also partnering with Overton-Pickett Emergency Communications to host a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, March 13th:

We will be checking in volunteers and handling the logistics to efficiently assign project site work orders. If you live in the Overton County surrounding area and would like to join us, please contact Sabrina More, our Lead Disaster Case Manager / Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

The Middle Tennessee Tornado: One Year Ago Today

TODAY IS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE TORNADO

In the early hours of March 3, 2020, the Middle Tennessee Region suffered a deadly tornado that left 25 dead and many homes destroyed. Our Nashville property at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was spared; however our Germantown and North Nashville neighbors suffered significant damages. We want to take a moment and reflect on the one year anniversary of this disaster.

THE NEED WAS GREAT

North Nashville/Germantown suffered a direct hit to homes and businesses. Initial surveys indicated EF-3 tornado damage in East Nashville, Nashville’s Donelson neighborhood and in Mt. Juliet, a town about 20 miles east of Nashville.

Communities inside and outside of metro Nashville were devastated. Putnam County emergency officials confirmed 18 of the 25 Nashville tornado fatalities occurred in Cookeville, TN.

Inspiritus disaster response teams immediately set up a feeding station for residents in the Nashville area, and sent in volunteer teams for debris removal, chainsawing, and roof tarping.

We worked closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and other faith partners to provide a daily lunch and access to food and water supplies for local residents and responders.

Local emergency management needed Inspiritus' support with the rapid influx of volunteer and non-profit agency responders coming into the area, so we helped lead the coordination of thousands of volunteers in this response.

At that same time this tornado hit, Middle Tennessee (and the rest of the United States) was hit with another disaster: the coronavirus pandemic. Not only was COVID a danger to these insecure neighborhoods, there was growing concern about the need for hunger relief (especially individuals with disabilities, health risks, low-incomes, and job losses).

Shelter in place orders caused an additional hurdle to the response, but thanks to the determination and perseverance of our staff and volunteers, we were one of the few food pantries to remain open continuously in the Nashville region last year. And, our disaster response volunteers continued to help while following proper CDC guidelines and safety measures.

HOW WE HELPED

• Provided over 1,000 COVID-19 Prevention Kits

• Served 1,909 individuals through our Nashville Food Pantry

• Completed 34,429.50 volunteer hours

• Completed 116 jobs, and 95 home repairs

• Cleared 7 1/2 miles of roads for homeowners’ access

• 5 acres were cleared for a community swimming pool

• Sponsored 204 active family gardens for families in low-income communities

WE'RE STILL WORKING

Today, Inspiritus continues to accompany families who have yet to recover from the Middle Tennessee tornado. With the support of partners like Lutheran Disaster Response, Thrivent, and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, we have teams on the ground now helping repair dozens of homes in Cookeville. We are also currently leading complete home rebuild projects for several families whose homes were destroyed.

Even though a year has passed, some families are still unable to return to their homes. Families like the Hardy family. In case you missed it, watch how we’re restoring hope for the Hardys one year later in this special news report.

This work is only possible because of partners like you. Please consider donating to the Inspiritus disaster relief efforts so we can continue to help more families like the Hardys.

In addition to this recovery effort, we currently have response teams on the ground in neighboring Overton County, TN, and have established a volunteer camp at the local Police Academy. Please join us if you're available! Food and housing is provided. Please email Sabrina More, our Lead Disaster Case Manager / Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager, if you're interested in volunteering at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org

We ask that you join us in prayer for these families and volunteers as we work to empower those still suffering on their path from surviving to thriving.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Our Middle Tennessee Tornado Response was made possible through partnerships with:

Day 8: TN Response Update

Day 8: TN Winter Response Going Strong

At least 12 people died after last week's winter storm in Middle Tennessee. Winter storm Uri plunged temperatures to below the freezing mark and left thousands of households without power.

Overton County was hit particularly hard. The Emergency Manager for Overton County and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency called Inspiritus in to help. We rapidly deployed several of our volunteer chainsaw teams to begin clearing roadways to ensure the electric company could restore power to households.

We've had over 425 requests for help in Overton County. Now our disaster response teams are assisting homeowners and offering free chainsaw services to their homes and property.

Today, the team is setting up a new base at the Livingston Police Academy. The Heritage Academy (out of Cookeville, TN) is bringing in trained sawyers and swampers to join us daily. They will also be graciously cooking and providing all our dinner meals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Inspiritus has received hundreds of requests asking for assistance and we are looking for volunteers! If you'd like to volunteer on this response, please sign up here.

AirLink is flying our teams in for this response, and as of now, our confirmed volunteers are from: Washington, Michigan, Oregon, and California. Some volunteers are driving in from Kentucky, Georgia, and Indiana. We are so grateful for these kind souls helping with our on the ground relief efforts!

Special thanks to these partners for making this effort possible: Airbnb, Airlink, Home Depot, Overton County, and Christian Emergency Network.

We are preparing for a multi-week response, so we can continue to empower Middle TN residents on their journey from surviving to thriving. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by this deadly storm. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today by clicking on the button below. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Middle Tennessee Ice Storm Response

Overton County, TN Rapid Response

Over the last week, Middle Tennessee has been impacted by snow from the winter storm that is currently sweeping the nation. This unprecedented change in temperatures has brought significant freezing rain to eastern Middle Tennessee.

Freezing rain and the weight of ice (and additional snow) have caused countless trees to snap and break–bringing down hundreds of power lines. Overton County was hit particularly hard.

We coordinated with the Emergency Manager for Overton County and TEMA to rapidly deploy several Inspiritus volunteer chainsaw teams (10 people each team) to begin clearing roadways to ensure the electric company could restore power to thousands of households.

We are deeply saddened that this storm has taken the lives of six Tennesseans so far, four of whom resided in Middle Tennessee. Outages have been reported in nine counties throughout the region – leaving thousands of residents in the dark.

Inspiritus received an additional request asking for 6-10 teams to assist with delivering welfare checks throughout the affected communities. We have organized and deployed additional teams to assist with these efforts – monitoring roadways and tending to clearing fallen trees if necessary to ensure delivery of these checks.

Please consider donating to support our disaster relief work. We couldn't do what we do without your help. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer

Chief Development Officer

Inspiritus

Hurricane Zeta: Day 11: Georgia Response Update

Day 11: Georgia Response Update

Our chainsaw crews are still working hard in Georgia to help residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from Hurricane Zeta.

The above & below photos illustrate the extensive damage one homeowner experienced after Zeta barrelled through their property. As pictured, their home needed serious repair and their car was totaled. This poor homeowner had just moved into their new home five days before Zeta hit.

Our whole volunteer team has been working daily to cut trees, remove debris and tarp roofs for homeowners who need a little extra help.

To date, 21 jobs have been completed since this rapid response began just two weeks ago.

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and a new volunteer base in Marietta, GA, thanks to the kind generosity of AirBnB and McEachern Memorial UMC. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

Curt got to work with his chainsaw and quickly removed the trees and debris from one homeowner's car and new house.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

2020 is the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, as there have been 29 named storms. Unfortunately, the season isn't over until November 30th and Hurricane Eta is currently circling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Disaster Response is made possible through partnerships with:

Our Hurricane Zeta Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Day 6: Georgia Response Update

Day 6: Georgia Response Update

Our chainsaw crews have been on the ground since Sunday helping residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from Hurricane Zeta. We've been working daily to cut trees, remove debris and tarp roofs for homeowners who need a little extra help.

Our volunteers are an inspiring group. They hail from places as far away as AZ, MA, MI, KY, and of course, GA. Our CEO, John Moeller, joined us this week to volunteer, too. John frequently joins our disaster relief responses, and we are so grateful for his help.

Homeowner, Starr Swims, pictured outside her home

John told us a wonderful story about two homeowners he met; Starr and Billy Swims. Starr and Billy were exhausted from having to deal with 14 downed trees on their property. One struck one side of the house, and another ripped the electrical box right off their house. They tried to remove some of the tree limbs themselves, but due to Billy's health problems, plus the amount of debris, it proved to be too much for them.

They were overjoyed when they learned from the Bartow EMA that help might be available through Inspiritus. Our dedicated volunteer crew showed up and immediately got down to work clearing all the trees and debris off their property. Starr and Billy were so touched by the hard work of our volunteers, Starr cooked up a delicious meal for our volunteers.

"Starr Swims made her signature dish for lunch - chicken and dumplings, corn bread and sweet tea. It was divine and a real treat for volunteers from Arizona and Massachusetts who were trying the meal for the first time. Mmmmm."

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and a new volunteer base in Marietta, GA, thanks to the kind generosity of AirBnB and McEachern Memorial UMC. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Inspiritus Disaster Response is made possible through partnerships with:

Our Hurricane Zeta Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Chainsawers On the Ground in Georgia

Chainsaw Volunteers on the Ground in Georgia

Hurricane Zeta swept quickly through Georgia last week with over 50 mph winds leaving downed trees, power lines, and damaged homes in its' wake.

Our chainsaw crews have been on the ground since Sunday helping residents (many of whom can not afford high home insurance deductibles) recover from this latest deadly storm.

Chainsaw crews and other heavy equipment operators are just some of our home heroes during a disaster. Here's an inspiring story about one of our volunteers:

Preston Mintz donated his time volunteering as a heavy equipment operator in Orange Beach after Hurricane Sally. After Preston returned to his home in North Carolina, he invited his church to donate to our disaster relief efforts. And donate they did. We just received $5,000 from the Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church in North Carolina to support disaster relief. Thank you, Preston, for being a Home Hero.

Inspiritus' disaster relief team has a small operations center in Cartersville, GA, and are preparing to setup a volunteer base camp at McEachern UMC in Cobb County. Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief efforts on the ground in the Southeastern region.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Hurricane Zeta: Rapid Response in Georgia

Hurricane Zeta: Rapid Response in Georgia

HURRICANE ZETA

Hurricane Zeta hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, leaving over 2.5 million customers without power and at least 3 people dead.

Early this morning, Zeta swept through metro Atlanta and parts of NW Georgia with over 50 mph winds creating a wake of downed trees and power lines. The last time metro Atlanta was under such a threat was October 2018 as Hurricane Michael passed over the region. More than 1 million homes and businesses are currently without power (CNN).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Inspiritus' disaster relief teams are currently assessing regions from metro Atlanta to parts of NW Georgia, and will be putting chainsaw teams to work (as early as tomorrow) to aid in this latest storm crisis clean-up.

We work in partnership with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well.

This partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Your donations at this stage are critical. Your help ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Zeta will receive free roof tarping, chainsawing, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Week Five: Updates from our Sally Response

Hurricane Sally Response Update

HURRICANE SALLY

We've had so many wonderful volunteers show up in the past week to help hurricane survivors in Alabama. What started out as a two week response in Lake Charles, Louisiana, turned into a two month response now based in Orange Beach, Alabama. It's been an unprecedented hurricane season in the Gulf Coast. Volunteers have come in from all over to help...a few volunteers even drove all the way from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina! Not enough can be said for these volunteers-they are true servant hearts that have helped those in need.

In South Alabama, we have completed 346 total volunteer days, or 1591.75 volunteer hours!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. The need is still great here in Alabama, as there are not many other organizations here helping out on the ground.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 34: Sally Response Going Strong

Day 34 on the Gulf Coast: Sally Response Going Strong

HURRICANE SALLY

We've had so many wonderful volunteers show up in the past week to help hurricane survivors in Alabama. We'd like to thank each and every one of you who are volunteering or donating to support this ministry. You are each heroes. Thank you for being God's hands.

In South Alabama, we have completed:

• 61 job requests

- 41 tree jobs

- 8 debris removals

- 6 muck & gut

- 6 roof tarping jobs

• 40 homes completed

• 12 homes are now ready for work

• 6 homes are underway now

"Helping hands are needed desperately in order to lift those survivors up and help them begin what will be a long road to recovery and some type of normalcy again. I know everyone is dealing with COVID, the economy, the election and multiple other problems but so are those survivors... on top of all they’ve worked their lives for being destroyed repeatedly."

- Sherry Buresh, Director of Disaster Relief Programs

This is Sherry's 70th response - a huge milestone in the disaster relief world. We're so grateful to have Sherry leading our staff and volunteer teams in this response.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

If you can't join us in person, you can still be one of our "Home Heroes" by fundraising for us-or donating. It's so quick & easy: start fundraising now and share your campaign within minutes to your family and friends.

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Gratefully,

Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 29: A Testimonial from Alabama

Day 29: A Testimonial from South Alabama

“We didn’t have to worry about anything. Inspiritus came in and they were helpful, quiet, they took care of the roof, they took care of the inside, they took care of everything. Just like it was family coming in and helping family. It was just tremendous."

- Joyce Tolbert, Hurricane Sally Survivor

HURRICANE SALLY

Our disaster relief staff and volunteers are working under intense conditions. Now they're working under the threat of yet another hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast today.

Hurricane Delta is forecast to strike the Gulf Coast "literally less than 25 miles" from where Hurricane Laura made landfall six weeks ago (CNN). Delta is a Category 3 storm with sustained winds up to 115 mph.

We are so grateful for our tireless volunteers. We still have a huge need for volunteers in Alabama. Please join us!

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The City of Orange Beach for fuel, The Island Church for housing and staging, and The Rothrock Foundation for meals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

Not only are we in the midst of COVID-19 and our Hurricane Sally response, now Hurricane Delta will be hitting the Gulf Coast today. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Not only are we in the midst of COVID-19 and our Hurricane Sally response, now Tropical Storm Delta could hit the Gulf Coast as a hurricane this week. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 26: Updates from the Gulf Coast

Day 26: Fresh Volunteers Needed Urgently

My position with Inspiritus doesn’t put me in front of survivors very often. I’m more behind the scenes working than anything. I love it when I’m able to go out into the field and speak with survivors. Yesterday I was able to do just that. I was able to visit them, hear their stories and offer them assistance. So many are still in need of help to take those first steps of recovery. Often times, survivors are overwhelmed and are unable to move forward with the weight of destruction on their shoulders. I love it when we are able to bring hope, to take that burden over for them for a little while and help take those first steps."

-Sabrina More (pictured above) with a homeowner in Alabama

HURRICANE SALLY

Our volunteers are making lasting impressions on the homeowners they're serving, and vice versa. Many homeowners' homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. They are so appreciative of our volunteers, even offering home cooked meals in expression of their gratitude. The relationships we form while volunteering makes the work we do that much more rewarding.

We still have a huge need for volunteers in Alabama. Volunteers who've been with us between Hurricane Laura and Sally will begin going home today. We need new volunteers to work through October 22nd ASAP. Please join us!

In Alabama so far, our disaster response volunteer teams have completed:

• 48 job requests

- 32 tree jobs

- 6 debris removals

- 5 muck & gut

- 5 roof tarping jobs

• 66 home assessments

• 17 homes are now ready for work

• 7 homes are underway now

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The City of Orange Beach for fuel, The Island Church for housing and staging, and The Rothrock Foundation for meals.

The damages from this latest hurricane will be felt for months and years to come, but with your help and new volunteers, we can get more hurricane survivors back on the path from surviving to thriving.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well. The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19 and Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

If you can't join us in person, you can still be one of our "Home Heroes" by fundraising for us. It's so quick & easy, start fundraising now and share your campaign within minutes to your family and friends. If you'd like help setting up your campaign, please email Sarah.Burke@weinspirit.org for a consultation.

It costs approximately $50 per day to make sure our volunteer housing and vehicles are fogged and sanitized daily, and our volunteers have the PPE equipment they need to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Could you please sponsor our volunteers for a day, to help keep them safe?

Not only are we in the midst of COVID-19 and our Hurricane Sally response, now Tropical Storm Delta could hit the Gulf Coast as a hurricane this week. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 22: Updates from the Gulf Coast

WE NEED NEW VOLUNTEERS ON THE GROUND IN ALABAMA

Our volunteers on the ground in Alabama

HURRICANE SALLY

"Over two days’ time, and in 85+ degree temperatures, a volunteer Lutheran disaster relief organization named Inspiritus descended on my parent’s property like the exact opposite of a biblical plague and voluntarily (FREE OF CHARGE) completed what might’ve been over $25K worth of tree cutting and removal. This is an amazing example of how we all want humans to be. I cannot thank these people and this organization enough for doing for us what we were unable to do for ourselves."

- Aaron Cockson

We have a huge need for volunteers in Alabama. Home damages extend across Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Daphne, Dauphin Island, and Baldwin County. Volunteers who've served 3-4 weeks between Hurricane Laura and Sally will begin going home next Tuesday, so we need new volunteers to work through October 22nd ASAP. Please join us!

Want to see what volunteering on a disaster response mission is like?
Click on the following link to watch: A day In the life of a volunteer

In Alabama so far, our disaster response volunteer teams have completed:

• 750 volunteer hours

• 133 volunteer days

• 55 home assessments

• 19 homes are now ready for work

• 10 homes are underway now

• 33 job requests have been completed

"Inspiritus volunteers are doing an incredible job. They've gone from working in Louisiana to Alabama. After weeks of working, they're tired. We need a new wave of volunteers to join them."

-John Boettner
Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry Committee
Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham, AL.

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The Island Church in Orange Beach for housing and staging, The Rothrock Foundation for generously providing meals, and the St. Clair Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief (SBC Disaster Relief) for laundry services.

A huge thank you goes out to The City of Orange Beach today. They just brought in a 100 gallon tank of gas to our Island Church camp, to keep equipment and vehicles fueled and ready to do more work in Baldwin County.

The damages from this latest hurricane will be felt for months and years to come, but with your help and new volunteers, we can get more hurricane survivors back on the path from surviving to thriving.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to support communities most in need of our assistance. Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well. The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19 and Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

If you can't join us in person, you can still be one of our "Home Heroes" by fundraising for us. It's so quick & easy, start fundraising now and share your campaign within minutes to your family and friends. If you'd like help setting up your campaign, please email Sarah.Burke@weinspirit.org for a consultation.

It costs approximately $50 per day to make sure our volunteer housing and vehicles are fogged and sanitized daily, and our volunteers have the PPE equipment they need to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Could you please sponsor our volunteers for a day, to help keep them safe?

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 20: Updates from the Gulf Coast

INSPIRITUS DISASTER RELIEF: ON THE GROUND IN ALABAMA

Sabrina More, our Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager helping a homeowner

HURRICANE SALLY

Currently, we have close to 40 jobs in the queue (with more coming in daily) to be worked on. There is a huge need here, especially in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Daphne, Dauphin Island, and throughout Baldwin County. The storm has now left the current news cycle, and there are not many other organizations on the ground helping these hurricane survivors. If you'd like to volunteer with us, we need your help. Please join us!

Due to the high level of local need for volunteers, we’re extending our Hurricane Sally Response to a 4-week operation. Many of our volunteers have been serving for four weeks, between Hurricane Laura and Sally. New volunteers are needed to provide them with relief, and replace those who need to return home. We need new volunteers to support this two week extension.

If you can't join us in person, you can still be one of our "Home Heroes" by fundraising for us. It's so quick & easy, start here and share your campaign within minutes to your family and friends. If you'd like help setting up your campaign, Sarah Burke is happy to walk you through it. Please email her for a consultation at Sarah.Burke@weinspirit.org

We've heard from so many kind homeowners over the past week. Here is what one homeowner had to say:

"Inspiritus has had a team working at my house for two days now. I could not have done this work by myself. I'm just calling to say thank you."

- Resident of Orange Beach, AL

We even had a visit from Mayor Tony Kennon of the City of Orange Beach. The Mayor stopped by for a tour of our temporary base and to commend our volunteer efforts.

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The Island Church in Orange Beach for housing our response team, as well as providing a large garage for staging and storing our tools and equipment. Our daily thanks goes out to The Rothrock Foundation for generously providing meals, and to the representatives from the St. Clair Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief (SBC Disaster Relief) for their assistance with laundry services.

The damages from this latest hurricane will be felt for months and years to come:

• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture

• Extensive chainsawing and roof tarping services are needed to remove downed trees and protect damaged homes from further water damages.

HURRICANE LAURA

Last week, our Inspiritus disaster response team evacuated from Southwest Louisiana due to the threat from Tropical Storm Beta.  There is more work to be done. It's not too late to donate to efforts there. Thrivent is still matching your donations.

Mayor Tony Kennon discussing response work with volunteers at our Island Church base. To watch his briefing and hear his thoughts on Inspiritus, click here (14:11 min mark):

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the communities most in need of our assistance.

Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well. Whether in the immediate days following a disaster or years after its initial impact, the vital work of disaster ministry has been a priority for the Southeastern Synod for many years.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 18: Updates from the Gulf Coast

INSPIRITUS DISASTER RELIEF: ON THE GROUND IN ALABAMA

HURRICANE SALLY

It’s a "mini reunion" for our Hurricane Sally response team in Orange Beach, Alabama. Volunteers from other disaster response missions have come together again to help homeowners recover from this latest storm.

Please join us!

The Rothrock Foundation is still here, generously providing delicious meals to all our staff members and volunteers on the ground. A shower trailer has been loaned to us by the Alabama St. Clair Baptist Association. Three dedicated ladies from this association will be providing laundry services for each of our volunteers. Special thanks to these ladies for serving as representatives of the St. Clair Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief (SBC Disaster Relief).

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude go out to The Island Church in Orange Beach for housing our response team, as well as providing a large garage for staging and storing all our tools and equipment.

The damages are extensive from this latest hurricane:

• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture

• Extensive chainsawing and roof tarping services are needed to remove downed trees and protect damaged homes from further water damages.

HURRICANE LAURA

Last week, our Inspiritus disaster response team evacuated from Southwest Louisiana due to the threat from Tropical Storm Beta. 

There is more work to be done. It's not too late to donate to efforts there. Thrivent is still matching your donations.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the communities most in need of our assistance.

Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well. Whether in the immediate days following a disaster or years after its initial impact, the vital work of disaster ministry has been a priority for the Southeastern Synod for many years.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 15: Updates from the Gulf Coast

INSPIRITUS DISASTER RELIEF: ON THE GROUND IN ALABAMA

HURRICANE LAURA

This past weekend, our Inspiritus disaster response team evacuated from Southwest Louisiana due to the threat from Tropical Storm Beta. 

There is more work to be done. It's not too late to donate to efforts there. Thrivent is still matching your donations.

Special thanks to The Home Depot Foundation for donating much needed supplies to our Inspiritus Disaster Relief efforts.

HURRICANE SALLY

Our disaster response teams are on the ground in Orange Beach, Alabama. They've been working hard assessing damages and clearing debris over the past several days.

What does all this damage from Hurricane Sally mean for residents impacted along the Gulf Coast?

• Widespread power outages (some communities are projected to be without power for up to a month or more)

• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture

• Extensive chainsawing is needed to remove downed trees that are slowing local and emergency efforts to restore access to roads and power

• Power outages are creating an unprecedented interruption of jobs and education, as so many households are dependent on electricity to engage in virtual working and learning during this COVID-19 pandemic

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the communities most in need of our assistance.

Gifts to the ELCA Southeastern Synod Disaster Response will be used to support disaster relief on the ground, as well. Whether in the immediate days following a disaster or years after its initial impact, the vital work of disaster ministry has been a priority for the Southeastern Synod for many years.

The partnership between the Southeastern Synod and Inspiritus leverages the strengths and resources each bring to the table for the benefit of individuals and communities in need of hope and healing in the wake of a disaster.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most. Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 11: Updates from the Gulf Coast

DAY 11: UPDATES FROM THE GULF COAST

HURRICANE LAURA

On Saturday, our Inspiritus disaster response team evacuated from Southwest Louisiana due to the threat from Tropical Storm Beta. Coastal flooding from Beta's storm surge has already occurred on the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

Although our team has moved, it's not too late to donate to our efforts there. Thrivent is still matching your donations, and Inspiritus could still use your assistance!

"My “home” for the next couple of weeks. ️We have moved our base camp over to Orange Beach Alabama where Hurricane Sally has caused a lot of damage."

-Sabrina More, Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager

HURRICANE SALLY

Over the weekend, our response team moved to their new volunteer camp at The Island Church in Orange Beach, Alabama. Orange Beach is an area where Hurricane Sally, a Category 2 hurricane, caused significant destruction last week. Orange Beach received over 29.99 inches of rain, similar to nearby Pensacola, which received 24.80 inches.

What does all this damage from Hurricane Sally mean for residents impacted along the Gulf Coast?

• Widespread power outages (some communities are projected to be without power for up to a month or more)

• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture

• Extensive chainsawing is needed to remove downed trees that are slowing local and emergency efforts to restore access to roads and power

• Power outages are creating an unprecedented interruption of jobs and education, as so many households are dependent on electricity to engage in virtual working and learning during this COVID-19 pandemic

• More flooding this week with over-flowing rivers and streams (according to the National Weather Service)

Temperatures get checked twice a day, as part of our COVID-19 safety measures

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

We're working closely with the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the communities most in need of our assistance.

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.

Thank you for your donations. If you haven't given yet, please consider giving today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

Help at this stage ensures unserved communities impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive free roof tarping, muck and gut services, debris removal, and spontaneous volunteer leadership. We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

We're also keeping a watchful eye on other developing storms. This hurricane season has produced almost twice the average number of storms with 23 named so far. The average hurricane season produces 12.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.

Day 8: Two Hurricanes in One Week

DAY 8: UPDATES FROM THE GROUND

HURRICANE LAURA

Today is Day 8 on the ground for our Inspiritus disaster response team in Louisiana and Texas.

Here are the services that our teams are providing:

• Muck and gutting water-damaged sheet rock, insulation, ceilings and floors, etc.

• Tarping wind-damaged roofs to prevent further water damage

• Chainsawing large fallen trees (up to 20+ feet in diameter)

The Rothrock Foundation has kindly served over 500+ volunteer meals to our teams, and will continue to stay on site at our volunteer camp into the next week.

HURRICANE SALLY

Hurricane Sally made landfall this week as a Category 2 hurricane. With wind speeds of over 105 mph, it has brought severe flooding, downed trees, and massive power outages.

Our team of disaster response volunteers are preparing to deploy as needed. Currently, we are on the ground in Louisiana cleaning up debris, mucking and gutting, and tarping roofs after Hurricane Laura's impact. If needed, we are preparing to set up a second volunteer base to assist with clean-up from Hurricane Sally.

We are working closely with our partners in the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA to assess the communities most in need of our assistance across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Together, we are also in communication with local VOADs and emergency management officials to ensure we are aware of communities with unmet needs.

What does all this damage from Hurricane Sally mean for residents impacted along the Gulf Coast?

• Widespread power outages (some communities are projected to be without power for up to a month or more)

• Many homes have suffered flooding and water damages, and will require significant mucking and gutting to remove flooring, ceilings, insulation, sheet rock, cabinetry, and damaged household goods and furniture

• Extensive chainsawing is needed to remove downed trees that are slowing local and emergency efforts to restore access to roads and power

• Power outages are creating an unprecedented interruption of jobs and education, as so many households are dependent on electricity to engage in virtual working and learning during this COVID-19 pandemic

• More flooding is on the way this weekend and next week with over-flowing rivers and streams (according to the National Weather Service)

Temperatures get checked twice a day, as part of our COVID-19 safety measures

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Those we're serving are experiencing multiple disasters at the same time: COVID-19, Hurricane Laura, and now Hurricane Sally. Through your generosity and support, we're bringing hope to the people who need it most.
Please donate today. Your help during the early days of a disaster is critical.

To learn more about volunteering with this response, please register here.

We will continue to share updates from the ground as our teams assist Hurricane Laura survivors and prepare to assist those impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Another tropical storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico now, which is anticipated to impact the Gulf Coast next week. We are monitoring the trajectory of this storm closely and preparing.

Please join us in prayer for the volunteers and local residents along the Gulf Coast.

Gratefully,
Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus

Our Hurricane Laura Response is made possible through the above partnerships.