Hello FOTH!

Many of you have been asking, “How can we help?” and “What is FOTH doing in response?” The leadership of FOTH met this week and discussed the best approach to help, and here is our strategy:

Long Term Help

Since it is too soon for us to know the full extent of damage or to know the areas that we can safely mobilize supplies and people to at this time, we believe a longer term strategy is important. Once the dust settles, power is restored and curfews are lifted…we will try to connect through local churches to see if we can assist in the rebuilding process.

Immediate Needs

We must caution all of you to be careful that you do not give money or supplies to just any organization that is asking. As awful as it may sound, disaster situations provide dangerous opportunities for people with evil intentions to take advantage of kind, well intentioned people. And supplies and funds often never make it to the places or people with the greatest need. If you give money or supplies here are our recommendations:

    Samaritan’s Purse: This is a well established and faithful organization with incredible preparedness to     help victims in disaster situations. They have a proven track record and are also providing chaplains and counselors as a part of their relief efforts. You can give online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ 

    Blairsville UMC: This is a drop off location for the Global UMC disaster relief efforts. Cleaning kits to aid in the repair and cleaning of people’s homes are being assembled and sent to areas of need. Each kit costs approximately $75 to assemble. You can donate money or supplies or complete kits to Blairsville UMC. A list of supplies for kits will be provided this Sunday at FOTH. I have also attached the list to this email. [CAUTION: Please remember that supplies at our local stores are limited. Many shelves are already bare, and in a well meaning effort to help others in hard hit locations, you may be depriving someone locally of much needed supplies!] Click Here for Kit Items list

    Fellowship of the Hills: You can also make contributions directly to FOTH. We are setting up a fund for disaster relief efforts, anything designated to this fund will be sent to Samaritan’s Purse. There will also be a trailer outside of FOTH where items can be left that are being collected for Blairsville UMC. As power begins to be restored, road get cleared and gas supplies are available more opportunities for “boots on the ground” ministry will be engaged in by FOTH. We will keep you updated about other supply and man power needs as time goes on…if we know of a need and it is safe for us to go, we at FOTH are always ready to help!

Above all, please continue to pray for the victims and all the relief effort workers and their families! And thank you FOTH for always having a heart to care for others — your mission heart is AMAZING!!

All Things In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Scott