Local volunteers are preparing to drive to Oklahoma and spend their time clearing debris and preparing meals for those whose homes, businesses and schools were destroyed by the recent tornado.
Christ in Action, a Manassas-based nonprofit organization, leads efforts to clean up neighborhoods after devastating natural disasters and other emergencies that leave widespread devastation in their wake.
“We go in, and we have the capability to serve 15,000 meals a day. We have Bobcats and bucket-loaders for debris removal- chainsaws for tree removal. We have a tractor-trailer and mobile shower unit. We can provide 800 hot showers a day,” said Agency Director Denny Nissley.
Christ in Action has a 31-year history of helping out in times of need. They cooked 55,000 meals for first responders at the Pentagon after 9/11. They cooked half a million meals after Hurricane Katrina and gave away $100 million in products, such as food and clothing. After Hurricane Sandy, they received widespread responses from volunteers and church groups and were able to clear debris along the shores of New Jersey.
When devastation occurs in the continental United States, Nissley explains, Christ in Action will send a team of workers.
“It’s their responsibility to get there. When they get there, we house them; we feed them. They sleep in sleeping bags on a church floor,” Nissley said.
Many of Christ in Action's volunteers are recruited from local churches with whom the nonprofit organization partners, such as Chapel Springs Assembly of God, which is looking to send a team.
“A lot of churches will send a team of five, 10, 30 volunteers- however many they can get together. And, we have a lot of people in our database that follow a day behind our first response team,” Nissley said.
Those who Nissley calls his “first responders,” come in from California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado and other places around the country. Some include his most skilled workers who will run the machines and vehicles. Nissley said he met them throughout his travels with Christ in Action.
Nissley is still looking for local volunteers to meet up with his team in Oklahoma. Those people do not need to bring a certain skill, but they certainly need to be able to work, and work hard.
“Hard workers that will not whine. It’s all labor. There’s no skilled labor needed, except chainsaw operators; it’s just hands and feet,” Nissley said.
In addition, everyone has to be at least 18 years of age.
He tells people, if they do not think they can work long hours in less than desirable conditions, he prefers they stay back and help in other ways. He suggests fundraising because money is always needed.
“What we need is funding. It’s costing us $10,000 in diesel fuel just to get the trucks there. It’s $2,500/day just to buy the food we have to buy,” Nissley said.
However, he can assure people that 100 percent of their money will go directly to the people affected and the work effort being made on the project.
“We pay zero salaries, so chances are your money is going to get to the boots on the ground,” Nissley said.
For those would like to make a monetary donation to Christ in Action for the Oklahoma project, they can go to www.christinaction.com and click on donation, or send a check, made out to “Christ in Action” to P.O. Box 4200, Manassas, VA 20108.
Those who would like to volunteer their time working in Oklahoma can click on the “volunteer” registration form on their website. There is also information about what volunteers should and should not bring with them. Readers who have questions about the organization can write to info@christinaction.com.
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