The following post is from Charles Ray, CBF’s US Disaster Response Coordinator. Charles is sharing a story about Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

I received a call Monday night from friend and CBF endorsed Chaplain Jim King.  Col. King is stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA.  Three weeks ago, he had given me his pulpit for the two morning services and the offering of $19,000 for our disaster work following Hurricane Isaac.

Jim explained that he was about to enter a meeting of chapel leaders that wanted to help those affected by Sandy.  He asked me for the name of any group working in the NJ/NY area that they could assist with an offering.  I explained that we were there and had an assessment team on the ground since Saturday.  He said he would call back.

Within an hour he called and asked me to speak to his chairman of missions, a gentleman I had visited with three weeks earlier.  Fred asked a few questions such as how I would spend money for relief, how quickly could it be done and what area would it affect.

The answers were: people need warmth, as early as tomorrow and NJ and NY.  I explained that the team in NJ could move instantly and that our church in NYC, Metro Baptist, would follow.

After another conversation with Chaplain King, we decided to go forward with the project.  A pledge of at least $15,000 was made.

Tuesday morning, our team leader, Rev. Moose Jackson purchased the first 10 heating units and began delivering them to families that had been without power and heat for a week.  We have enough funding to place 40 such units in NJ.  The last one should be online tonight.

In a conversation with Metro Baptist Church in NYC, I asked Alan Sherouse if he could use funds for Sandy relief that would be different from his regular mission work.  Alan explained that earlier in the day, the staff was seeking ways to respond to the Rockaway area that had suffered from Sandy.  With the last $5,000 of the chapel’s gift, he now had a way.

Talking to Moose this morning, he said he would soon need a break from the emotional side of what was occurring with the giving of the heating units.  He explained that in nearly every case, people first asked how much they had to pay us, began crying when told the gift was free, and given by people who loved them and wanted them to be warmed.

There will be more to this story.  I love this job.