In June, more than ten inches of rain fell on much of Indiana, causing evacuations, flooded highways, and submerged homes, businesses and farmlands. At last count 41 counties qualified for federal assistance, and shelters overflowed with homeless individuals.
As State representatives and the Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster president Kevin Cox scrambled to finalize disaster response plans, Kevin thought of Kathryn Ratliff, Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR) Indiana coordinator. Kevin needed an organization to manage a site where donations for flood victims would be collected, organized and distributed to agencies helping flooded counties. So Kevin called Kathryn, who had notified him of her willingness to coordinate a local county distribution site. Kevin had another idea—a warehouse for the entire state.
As Kathryn looked out her front door, she saw flood waters inching closer and was concerned about losing her own home. However, she and her husband Clarence quickly packed a few personal care items, pillows and sleeping bags, ACS DR ID badges, and navy pants and "We Care" T-shirts—the uniform worn by all ACS DR volunteers. The Ratliffs' neighbors pleaded with them to stay, since they were familiar with the type of help their church offers. But Kathryn had already committed to assist with the larger endeavor. She said, "It was difficult [to leave our neighbors and home], but we just had to trust the Lord to take care of our home. ... We knew we could help more people at the warehouse."
Racing against menacing flood waters, Kathryn and Clarence made their way to Indianapolis before streets and highways were impassable. Kathryn mobilized Indiana ACS DR volunteers to assist at the warehouse, located at 6075 Lakeside Blvd., in Indianapolis. ACS DR volunteers from the Carolina, Georgia-Cumberland and Kentucky-Tennessee conferences also assisted as plans were made to undertake the monumental state-wide project. Joe Watts, ACS DR National director, also provided input and support.
Donations soon arrived from companies such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Feed the Children. Indiana Seventh-day Adventists responded to the needs at a special collection during the Indiana Camp Meeting. And sometimes residents just stopped by the warehouse after learning about needs from the media. One little girl brought in five dollars, in an assortment of dollar bills and coins, because she "wanted to help someone in need."
The State appreciates the ACS DR volunteers. Isaac E. Randolph Jr., executive director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, remarked to Gary Thurber, Indiana Conference president, on one occasion when Isaac visited the warehouse, "You've got a great crew here. They've been so self-sacrificing and very professional." Isaac envisions the Seventh-day Adventists providing training for other faith-based congregations. He said, "Many have the desire to help, they just don't know what to do."
Clarence realizes what the volunteers are doing has eternal consequences. He told Gary, "Our job is to plant the seeds, to go out and warm the hearts up, and then your pastors can take over."
Diane Thurber is the assistant communication director of the Lake Union Conference.
The Adventist ACS DR volunteers concluded their flood relief efforts at the warehouse on July 18.
