Citizens in Orange County are dealing with the effects from Tropical Storm Imelda which hit last September. Many are still recovering from the flooding caused by Harvey which struck the county over two years ago.
Orange County Disaster Rebuild is working to assist those recovering from both storms. Michelle Tubbleville with Disaster Rebuild indicated assistance will be provided the next two weeks from World Renew at two locations in the county to gather data and prioritize resources needed by survivors of the storms.
Disaster Rebuild has partnered with World Renew also known as the “Green Shirts” because of their uniforms. The group originally planned to come here in October, but since Imelda happened in September, they postponed their visit until January. “So now they’re going to include Imelda which we’re really excited to try to see what is our snapshot, what does our recovery look like for Imelda, and what do we have left for Harvey,” Tubbleville stated.
World Renew representatives will be in the Dupont Room of the Orange County Expo Center on FM 1442 and at the Nehemiah’s Vision Office on Main Street in Vidor starting Monday, January 20, through Friday, January 24. The hours will be 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. On Saturday, January 25, “Green Shirts” will be available at both locations from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Then for Monday, January 27, through, Thursday, January 30, the hours will be 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Friday, January 31, representatives with World Renew will be available at both locations from 9:00 AM to Noon.
“Green Shirt” volunteers may also be working door-to-door in the affected areas between 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM each week. These volunteers will be wearing dark green shirts and carrying identification as members of the group.
Another group that is working with Orange County Disaster Rebuild to help during the recovery from Harvey and Imelda is the Apostolic Christian group Harvest Call. Tim Slagel and his wife Barb with Harvest Call are from Illinois and are in Orange County to assist with the recovery from the storms.
The mission of Harvest Call is to each winter find some place in the south that is a year or two removed from a natural disaster and they try to put as many homeowners as possible back in their homes. They are in Orange County to try to instill hope for those who may feel they have fallen through the cracks of public assistance. Slagel stated that Harvest Call’s mission statement is, “Proclaim Christ and serve others.”
Most of the members of Harvest Call come from the Midwest of the United States. “Our plan here is to get about 20 homeowners back in their homes before we leave again in March,” Slagel informed. Five properties have already been started by Harvest Call, and Disaster Rebuild will recommend 15 more to the group for assistance.
This is the twenty-first year for Harvest Call. Slagel said he is blessed to be of assistance to the residents of Orange County. A local church is housing them and the hospitality from the businesses, residents, and the whole community has been very gracious according to Slagel.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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