From: Ollie McClung,

Dear Friends in Mission, we are planning a return trip to Waverly, TN to help with repairs and rebuilding from the devastating floods last year. As many of you are aware, it, sadly, often takes a year or two for a community to be able to get folks back into homes following a major disaster such as this. At this time, there are 55 projects approved* and waiting on work to finish or begin. In addition, there are 150 applications for help in the process of review as to needs, etc. And, there are 300 requests that have not begun to be processed. Some homes are totally destroyed, others with various needs of repair in order to be habitable.

We can use anyone with a heart to help, regardless of skill level. We will be doing drywall, electrical wiring, plumbing, framing, flooring and many other repairs, depending upon which sites are a priority when we get there. Those with tools can bring them.  For anyone with willing hands, there will be plenty of tools and equipment with which to work if you do not have such.  We will be staying at the Waverly United Methodist Church right in the heart of town. We will have a shower trailer there, the church kitchen available and adequate space to “bunk down”. Volunteers will need to bring inflatable mattresses, cots or something similar on which to sleep; bedding, towels, personal toiletries, pillows and the like.

We would hope to hold a brief orientation meeting on the evening of arrival, Sunday, Apr. 3rd and work Monday the 4th, through lunch/noon on Friday, Apr. 8th. Despite what the number of homes damaged might suggest, Waverly is a pretty small town and the work sites will all be fairly close by. We would ask for $60 for the meals; and for those who can, a donation of $100 to help on supplies, etc. However, we do have funds to cover any of those needs if anyone is willing to help, but unable to contribute money. No need to send anything ahead, it can all be done after arrival.

Thanks and Blessings, Ollie McClung    You can contact me via e mail as above; or by phone: (205) 967 6997 primary/home; secondary = (205) 500 0091, cell. Also, you can contact Richard Dean: e mail = rdean47@bellsouth.net or ph. (256) 390 4863.

P.S. Please pass this on to anyone else, including your church whether or not you can personally make the trip. Thanks.

* ”Approved” is the process that the work coordinating organization, Inspiritus, uses to investigate the requests for help to determine what other sources of help folks have – or do not have. And to check on the work needed, match volunteer groups with needs and organize the priority of work.