By Paul Baxley and Laura Ayala

Less than a week ago Hurricane Helene made landfall and began its devastating path through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Congregations and individuals across our Cooperative Baptist Fellowship community have responded already by lifting up those impacted in prayer and by beginning to make essential contributions to CBF’s Disaster Response fund.

We are writing to provide you an update and let you know some additional steps you can take to support sisters and brothers in Christ whose lives, congregations and communities have been indescribably impacted by this storm.

How you can help today

CBF Disaster Response is diligently coordinating with CBF state and regional leaders, as well as local responders, to tailor our assistance to the specific needs of the communities we aim to support. Currently, there are several concrete ways you can make a difference, and we encourage you to do as many of these as you feel led:

1.    Pray: If you are gathering for midweek worship or Bible Study, please make time to pray for those most impacted by the storm, the pastors and leaders of congregations, and first responders who are working sacrificially in the recovery and rescue efforts.

2.    Give to CBF Disaster Response: Your financial gifts will enhance the opportunities described below and they will also allow us to provide essential financial support to partners who are first responders. If you or your congregation would like to make a financial gift, please do so HERE.

3.    Assemble Disaster Response buckets: We have committed to providing buckets filled with essential cleaning supplies. Over the past five days, we have successfully distributed 1,000 buckets, but the demand remains significant. Our goal is to prepare an additional 2,000 buckets as quickly as possible. If you would like to participate in this effort, please follow the link provided to review the instructions and contents required for each bucket. We would greatly appreciate it if you could inform us of your interest and the number of buckets you plan to prepare by contacting us at DR@cbf.net. We will prepare to receive the buckets and make them available to our partners.

4.    Purchase personal water filters:  Access to clean water is critical for recovery. We are also distributing personal water filters. Each has a cost of $10. How many can you sponsor?

If you wish to contribute towards the purchase of these water filters, please send your donation to this link, and kindly indicate that your donation is intended for water filters.

5.    Prepare for volunteer opportunities: While the capacity to receive teams and volunteers in various locations is currently limited, we are preparing for future engagement. If you are interested in volunteering or bringing a group from your church, we invite you to begin by completing the online training prepared by BGAV DR. It is essential that all volunteers working with CBF DR complete this training to ensure a cohesive and effective response. As soon as volunteer opportunities are available, we will publicize them widely. Because the impacts of this storm have varied dramatically, it may be that volunteer opportunities will be available sooner in some regions than in others.

Maximizing our impact

In the aftermath of a disaster, the first week is crucial as emergency workers and disaster response assessment teams mobilize to address the urgent needs of affected communities. This initial phase is characterized by search and rescue operations, as well as the immediate provision of essential resources such as food, water, and shelter. During this time, it is vital to adhere to the guidance of experts in the field, as the safety and well-being of everyone involved are of paramount importance.

We all share a deep desire to assist those in need, and this compassionate impulse is commendable. However, it is important to recognize that uncoordinated efforts can inadvertently complicate the work of those on the ground. The resources available—such as fuel, accommodation, food and water—are limited, and misdirected assistance can strain these already scarce supplies. Furthermore, if our contributions are not aligned with the needs identified by on-site recovery leaders, they may occupy valuable space that could be better utilized for more pressing needs.

To ensure that our support is both effective and meaningful, we kindly request that individuals refrain from traveling to affected areas unless explicitly requested and coordinated by a disaster response group with experience in these situations. Additionally, please avoid collecting donations that have not been clearly identified as necessary. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the relief efforts and maximizes the impact of our collective contributions. While many of us have a deep desire to help, it is the case that in some areas most impacted by the storm the congregations and community organizations with whom we will partner most closely do not yet have basic communication, power or other services restored. Until that takes place or more routes into and out of those areas are open, it will be hard to identify all the best ways we can be supportive.

Together, we can navigate this challenging time with compassion and purpose. Your willingness to help is invaluable, and by working in coordination with established response efforts, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disaster. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Rev. Dr. Paul Baxley serves as Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Rev. Laura Ayala serves as Coordinator of CBF Global Missions.