Storm Damage & opportunities to help!

Church,

Lots going on this weekend!  As you probably already know, RCA took a major hit Wednesday morning probably from a small tornado.  Cleanup & recovery efforts are already underway.  You can find out more at http://riverside.cloudaccess.net/ and even donate to help with recovery expenses.

 

Several church members have been affected with trees down, and minor storm damage.  Mrs. Peggy Mitchell lost about 8 trees in her yard.  A crew is meeting at 8:30am Sat morning to help with cleanup at her house.  Come if you can and lend a hand!

 

I became aware last night that Tina & Sonny Balch lost their home in the storms.  They are staying at Tina’s parents, Joe & Pam Cummins’ home, but lost everything.  If you would like to help them out, you can make a donation to the church in their name (we’ll make sure they get it) OR help with clothes for the kids.  Caitlin wears 18-24 months. Colt is in 3T pants and 3-4 T shirts. Ryan I think is around a boys XL men's medium shirt and a 12 husky pant.  I understand that they did not have insurance for the contents of the home, so anything we might be able to do to help would be most appreciated.

 

If you would like to help by donating blood… Blood Assurance will be at the Riverside Christian Academy campus on Monday from 8:30am till 2:30pm.  Just come & donate!  Blood Assurance provides all of the blood supply for our local hospital as well as most in Chattanooga and North Georgia, including many of the areas hit hardest by the tornadoes this week.

 

Boy Scout Troop 357, co-led by JB Cox, is receiving donations for victims in the North Alabama area at OUR CHURCH BUILDING and at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church TODAY (Friday from 7am – 9pm) and TOMORROW (Sat from 7am -10 am).  Boxes have been setup under the portico by the Fellowship Hall for you to drop off donations.  The Troop will be here tonight for a lock-in to sort the supplies for delivery as soon as they can.  You can contact ScoutMaster Jason Bates, at 931.532.4058 for more information.  Any supplies of food, clothing, blankets, water, basic necessities, etc. would be appreciated!  Monetary donations are also accepted… make checks payable to the American Red Cross.

 

If there are other needs within our church family that I am unaware of, please let me know and I’ll try to get the word out!  These are opportunities that I am aware of at the present time.  There may be other opportunities to help in the days to come… be praying for our friends & family in other areas hit hardest by the storms.

 

God bless,

Jim