Several More Ways to Help Flood Victims in Indiana

Dear Friend,

I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to express my warmest sympathy to those who were affected from the flood and express my deepest gratitude to everybody who has been helping during this great time of tragedy.

Many people have contacted me asking how they can volunteer and who has the greatest need in the community. I am now stepping aside and letting the professional disaster relief organization take the lead in our community. I am now directing everybody to The Samaritan's Purse, which is located at Community Church of Columbus on N. Marr Rd. and Rocky Ford.

Samaritan's Purse is a non-denominational ministry geared towards helping disaster victims to physically rebuild their homes and spiritually rebuild their lives. The ministry was founded by Franklin Graham and they are based out of Boone, NC but have set up an office for the next month here focusing on Bartholomew County.

They have a very strong grasp on the families who are in need and the ability to mobilize volunteers for relief efforts. If you are already involved with another church or non-profit organization like Red Cross, please continue your efforts. But if you are looking for a way to get involved and would like to serve the people of our community then please consider working with Samaritan's Purse.

Here is a link to a video of the work that they have already been doing in our community.

Rapid Response Team Brings Hope of Christ to Residents of flooded Columbus, Indiana

Please consider giving some of your time in any manner with the flood because there are a lot of families who urgently need your help.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and willingness to serve. Take care and God Bless!

Your Servant,

Travis Hankins

P.S. Please continue to pray for our community, those who are helping with disaster relief and especially those who were flooded. And if you see somebody who was affected from the flood, please give them a hug. That is what they really need right now…prayers and love.

Feel free to pass this along. Thanks!

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From: Michael Dean

Please pass this along: Lowe's is giving 10% off for flood related purchases. Just tell the check out person. If you give gift cards to victims - write this on the gift cards as a reminder.

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Michael - We have brand new counter tops at our RC distribution center here in Columbus, if one is needed. They are in 8 and 10 foot sections and really nice! They are extremely heavy though and would need an appropriate truck and help to come and get one.

Mary Ellen Anable, Executive Director

Bartholomew/Brown/Decatur County Chapter

American Red Cross

931 Repp Dr.
Columbus, IN 47201

(812)379-9551

A Way to Help Flood Victims

Operation Blessing is looking for people to work in teams of two or more in flood ravaged areas of the Midwest. Lodging, meals, equipment needed to work, work coordination provided. You can call the Operation Blessing Volunteer Line at 1-800-730-2537 or go to www.ob.org.

Requirements are: must be 18, have your own transportation, and be willing to work hard in muddy conditions.

I'm going to be giving other ways to help folks here in our area that I personally know, and want to help them if at all possible.

CP

Tony Stewart Assists Flood Victims

NASCAR superstar Tony Stewart puts his money where his mouth is. The often outspoken Hoosier resident who lives in the same county as Mrs. CP and I pledged his total personal winnings to the Red Cross dedicated to our local area. 

This Yahoo story gives some details at the end of the article on last week's race.

Tony Stewart finished fifth, earning $136,986. He plans to donate his share of that purse—approximately 40 percent—to the Red Cross, earmarked for flood relief in his hometown of Columbus, Ind.

Links to Indiana Flood Photos

I have pictures to share, but I've been too busy to download. These links are to The Republic, 

from Columbus, IN. Keep praying, as the latest update is 1500 homes damaged or destroyed.

CP

http://therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=431&SubSectionID=1059

http://www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=431&SubSectionID=1061

Indiana Flooding Too Close to Home!

Massive flooding in south central Indiana has caused major problems right in the very country where Cyber Pastor and family lives. My family is all safe and didn't suffer any damage with the flooding, but these pictures from my friend Amelia in Columbus show some of the devastation. 

The article below from The Republic Newspaper is about our little town. Not only did the National Guard bring in 2,000 gallons of drinking water, they have 4 water buffalo tanks distributing water to everyone who needs it and as much as we need. They are constantly running 2 tanks and taking the other 2 to be filled.

There will be more pictures from our camera when Mrs. CP returns from the store. 

The good news is that the flood waters are receding.

The bad news is that the weather forecast for tonight is 1- 3 inches of more rain which may fall in as short as an hour. 

HOPE - Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. has identified the source of the problem that has caused the town's water service to cease, Hope Police Chief Randy Bailey said.

A water main break was located in the Owens Bridge area on Road 550 North.

Workers are on site and the goal is to have service restored by Tuesday, Bailey said.

Hope is relying on fresh water being delivered to the town. 

The Indiana National Guard is bringing up to 2,000 gallons of water today, and distributing it to citizens in the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Hope, 455 Jackson St. 

People can bring containers to fill with water.

Bailey stressed that people should avoid traveling in and around Hope unless they need to.

He said many county roads are closed because they are unsafe. 

"We've got big places where the water washed over the road and swirled and dug out the road. There is nothing supporting the road," Bailey said.

He also said that there is no way to get completely around Schaefer Lake because of the flood damage.