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Current Events |
Click the links below to read stories about Children's Home happenings.
More Stories
Softball Tournament Attracts Serious Athletes to Raise Money for The Children's Home - May 2006
Updated e-News Better Serves Children and Families - May 2006
Heart of the Volunteer Event Honors 2005 Volunteers of the Year - April 2006
Foster Parent of the Year - May 2005
2004 Volunteer Awards Luncheon - April 2005
Hurricane Ivan vs. the Children's Home - September 2004
Softball Tournament Attracts Serious Athletes to Raise Money for The Children's Home
May 5, 2006
DAPHNE, AL - On May, 20, 2006, the Al Trione Sports Complex in Daphne, AL, will host the Sixth Annual United Methodist Charity Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament. Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Methodist Children's Home. The invitation to participate has been extended to "All Methodist Brothers" and is sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA).
Tony Caminiti, organizer of the tournament and member of the Fairhope United Methodist Church's softball team, says, "The tournament is a time of fellowship for Methodist churches and is for a super-good cause." He also says it's "good Christian competition," and laughs, admitting to the oxymoron.
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Rev. Joe Bullington, pastor of Fairhope UMC cuts up with Tony Caminiti at the 2005 United Methodist Charity Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in Daphne, AL. |
The tournament is committed to holding its teams to strict ASA regulations regarding equipment and play, and only uses ASA-sanctioned umpires. Tony says that it has to be a legitimate, credible thing to get guys who play ball to come out and risk injury to be competitive.
In the five years that the tournament has been in operation, it has raised almost $9,000 for the Children's Home's programs that span from North Alabama to Northwest Florida. Each year, participation has grown and teams have come from greater distances.
Call Tony Caminiti ASAP to reserve a spot in the tournament for your church's team. Team fees are $275. Tony can be reached at 251-928-0529 (home) or 251-591-8007 (cell) or e-mail Mike Warrington at warringtons@bellsouth.net.
Mike Galloway, President & CEO of the Children's Home, says that the money benefits the agency's diverse programs for children and families. Among other things, these programs care for children and young mothers in group homes, prevent child abuse and neglect through services that support and preserve families, and recruit and train foster parents.
"We are grateful for all the hard work that Tony and others put into organizing the tournament each year, and especially for designating the proceeds to the Children's Home," says Mike Galloway, President and CEO, who will be attending the event. The tournament is open to the public.
Information about ASA's regulations can be found on the association's website at www.softball.org.
Click here to download a PDF flyer for the tournament.
Updated e-News Better Serves Children and Families
May 3, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The United Methodist Children's Home, a 115-year-old organization, is using technology to help serve children and families in the best way possible. One of those steps is updating the way the agency communicates with the public through its electronic newsletter, the e-News from Home.
"For the first couple of years that we've done this, we used the e-news as a mini-newsletter with features and full stories right in the e-mail," says Patrick McCurry, the agency's Coordinator of Communications at its Public Relations and Development Office in Birmingham. "Now, it'll be more like a signpost that points the reader to the website, www.umch.net, if they want to read more."
Formerly issued bimonthly, the e-News from Home will now be distributed as the website is updated with important stories and news. You can sign up for a free subscription to the e-News from Home on the web at www.umch.net or by sending an e-mail message to enewsfromhome@umch.net that includes your name, address and church membership if applicable.
As it has been in the past, issues of the e-News from Home will still include children's stories, letters from our President & CEO Mike Galloway, program notes and helpful parenting tips from an expert staff. It will also include other announcements and news stories about the agency's programs from North Alabama to Northwest Florida.
Heart of the Volunteer Event Honors 2005 Volunteers of the Year
April 28, 2006
MONTGOMERY, AL - On April 24, 2006, Children's Home volunteers from all over the region came to Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church so we could honor them for their service to the children and families in our programs.
The casual event with light hors-d'oeuvres took place in the church's John Ed Mathison Activity Center. President & CEO Mike Galloway opened the ceremony. Board chair Rev. Doreen Duley, who presented the awards, gave closing words. We all joined hands while Mike closed with a prayer thanking God for the over-and-above level of dedication of these volunteers.
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Kristy Goodman, Program Supervisor of the Tuscaloosa Group Home, talks about the late Rev. Milton Booth, pictured tilling the garden at the group home. |
Rev. Milton C. "Mit" Booth was posthumously
honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless efforts in
building relationships and supporting the efforts of the Tuscaloosa Group
Home. Most recently, Rev. Booth had been instrumental in leading a community
effort to expand the services of the Tuscaloosa Group Home. Kristy Goodman,
the group home's Supervisor, presented the award to Linda Booth, wife
of the late Rev. Booth 
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Linda spoke about her husband's humility in his service to his Lord and
the simplicity with which he approached helping people.
After Kristy presented the award, Central Regional Director Judy Manning sang the song, "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban, in memory of Rev. Booth.
Rev. LuAnne, our chaplain, presented the 2005
Christian Nurture Award to Linda Sherry, president of the United Methodist
Women of the Alabama-West Florida Conference for its work with our quilt
project .
They help to provide a handmade quilt to every child who comes into our
care. Mrs. Sherry shared that the first thing a traumatized child wants
to do is wrap themselves in a blanket.
Dr. Judson Armstrong, Program Supervisor of the
Birmingham Center for Children and Families, presented an award to Mrs.
Nancy Higgs for her nurturing support of the children in the Step-up Tutoring
Program and all her help with the Center's other programs in collaboration
with the Church of the Reconciler UMC in Birmingham .
Mrs. Higgs explained what an honor it was to serve these children who
really need the enrichment that the tutoring program can offer.
For the Southwest Region of the Children's
Home, Susan Simonson, Regional Director presented awards to Mrs. Edith
Brooks and Mrs. Patsy Carleton for their remarkable work promoting the
mission of the Mobile Delchamps Group Home's Babies First program and
the White Christmas Offering .
We laughed together as Ms. Carleton joked that they had been baited into
helping, but their enthusiastic efforts reveal two women dedicated to
helping the children in our care.
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Keron Kyzar of Andalusia First UMC shares about her experience working with the Comprehensive Family Support Services program |
Carolyn Castleberry, Program Supervisor
of our Comprehensive Family Support Services, presented an award to the
members of First United Methodist Church of Andalusia for organizing holiday
programs and for providing lifesaving help to the children and families
served by Carolyn and her staff at this program .
The leader of the efforts of Andalusia First, Ms. Keron Kyzar, told us
about how both the church's youth and its adults are involved in buying,
wrapping and delivering gifts to these families who have been through
so much. She also told us how difficult it is to make these generous United
Methodists stick to a "maximum gift amount" when buying their
Christmas presents.
Carolyn also presented Mrs. Gail Wesley with
her award for her meals that have fed hundreds of foster children and
parents at the Therapeutic Foster Care program in Andalusia .
Mrs. Wesley also makes these families feel special by working with other
volunteers to provide food, gifts and cards for holidays and birthdays.
A petite lady with a quiet voice, Mrs. Wesley's dedication to the foster
care program was clear in her comments to the audience.
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Susan Simonson and Mike Galloway have fun introducing the award recipients at the Heart of the Volunteer event |
Other honorees were not able to attend the ceremony. The 2005 Volunteer of the Year Award for the Children's Village went to Sister Norma Bourndon who provides services through the St. Edmund Learning Center for the children in our residential programs in Selma. Mr. Tony Caminiti won his award for his work organizing a regional, ASA-sanctioned softball tournament to raise funds and awareness of the Children's Home.
Volunteer of the Year awards for the Gulf Coast Group Home in Milton, FL, went to Perdido Bay United Methodist Women and the Caleb Sunday School Class of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church for always being available to provide for the needs of the girls in that program. Mike O'Steen and Chris O'Steen were honored for their tremendous efforts getting a basketball court built and providing other material and advisory support to the Florence Group Home.
The members of the First United Methodist Church of Jasper continue to support the children and foster families served through the Northwest Therapeutic Foster Care program, and were honored for this service. Mt. Zion (East) United Methodist Women won their Volunteer of the Year Award for providing storage, Christmas gifts and meeting other vital needs of children and foster families served by the Southeast Therapeutic Foster Care program in Andalusia.
Lafayette Street United Methodist Church
received the 2005 Volunteer of the Year award for the Southeast Therapeutic
Foster Care program in Dothan. The church always makes its facilities
available to assist in training and administration of the foster care
programs in Houston County, Alabama. Its members provide food, drink and
volunteer service for Christmas and other fun events for the foster families
and the children in their care. Update - June 13, 2006 - Staff of Southeast
Therapeutic Foster Care visited Lafayette Street UMC in Dothan, AL, to
present that church's award. Members of the Flares group accepted the
award for the church .
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What are you waiting for? |
John and Lynn Twitty - Foster Parents of the Year
MONTGOMERY, AL - In May, John and Lynn Twitty were awarded 2005 Foster Parents of the Year by the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. They could not attend the Gardendale ceremony because their foster daughter needed them. How appropriate that the reason they won the award is the same reason they could not be there to accept it!
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Jennifer Edwards (left) with the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association presents the Foster Parent of the Year award to Lynn and John Twitty, foster parents in our Southeast Alabama Therapeutic Care Program. |
On May 18, the Twittys and Therapeutic Foster Care Program Supervisor Lyndi Collier made it to another event. They met Alabama’s First Lady Patsy Riley and Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner Page Walley at the Governor’s Mansion for a recognition ceremony. For a brief moment they were celebrities, but to three foster children (so far) they are heroes for life.
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The Twittys stand outside the Governor's Mansion on May 18 after receiving the Foster parent of the Year award. The painting behind them promotes the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association who gave the award. |
When Jessica (not her real name), 15, came to them, she had severe bipolar disorder. Testimony to their success as foster parents is the fact that after spending a year with the Twittys, Jessica returned home. Lyndi said, “She’s not even the same child.” John and Lynn even helped the parents with home renovations so that DHR could approve the reunification!
Four days after Jessica left, 10-year-old Jay came into the family. A fourth grader, Jay was reading below a kindergarten level. Five months with the Twittys and he was at a third-grade level, able to learn with his classmates. Jay made it back home, too.
The three Twitty children, Leah, Hannah and Stephen love fostering just as much as John and Lynn. They easily befriend their new brothers and sisters and pray for them. And the Twittys continue to have relationships with all their fosters. “We’re available for life, really,” says John. They still keep in touch with Jessica. Jay comes over to play with Steven, the youngest, and considers the Twitty household his home away from home.
As for our staff in Andalusia, John says, “Lyndi and her coworkers have been wonderful. I essentially consider them as an extension of our family." Congratulations to the Twittys on their award! If you asked them, they would give all the glory to God.
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Alabama's First Lady Patsy Riley (second from left) and the Twittys answer questions from the media at a recognition ceremony at the Governor's Mansion honoring foster parents |
2004 Volunteer Award Luncheon
SELMA,
AL - It is a difficult task. Every year, we select a Volunteer of the
Year from each of our programs. In April 2005, these dedicated workers
came from all over the region to attend the Volunteer Awards Luncheon
at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center in Selma, Alabama.
The task is hard because we can only choose only person or group from each program (except for the Christian Nurture Award...we just couldn't limit ourselves to one!). We are grateful for the support from all of our volunteers. Listed below are the award recipients.
(Click the yellow stars on the map to the right for awards in your area.)
Dr. Judy Manning, South Central Regional Director, and Mike Galloway,
President & CEO, presented at the 2004 Volunteer Awards Luncheon.
Christian Nurture Award - This is a special recognition award given by our chaplain for work done above and beyond the call of duty for any or all of our programs.
For outstanding volunteer service
for the United Methodist Children's Home
the 2004 Christian Nurture Award goes to
BOOTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
and PERRY HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
When news came out that the model of 15-passenger van we were using was unsafe, Booth UMC (Booth, AL), with only 37 members, was able to raise $18,000 for a new one for the Children's Village. This small church was also among the top ten of our donors in 2004, raising enough to rival the giving of 1,000- and 2,000-member churches! Rev. LuAnne Wages-Smith presented the award to four members of Booth UMC who attended the luncheon.
The ladies from Booth UMC who attended the luncheon were (left to right)
Thelma Reynolds, Linda Lawson, Carolyn Thorn and Beth Scott.
Members of Perry Hill UMC (Montgomery, AL) spent hours working in Cottage 87 moving and organizing the hygiene closet where we keep donated clothing and personal hygiene items for use by the kids. They also provided gifts for the children at Christmas. We appreciate their dedication.
For outstanding volunteer service
at the Children's Village in Selma, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
the SOUTHERN CRUSADERS FOR CHRIST, CHAPTER NO. 686
The Southern Crusaders for Christ, Chapter No. 686, is a local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The group brings together chapters from three states to participate in a 100-mile ride from Millbrook First UMC to Selma, AL. They collected money and Christmas gifts for the kids and, as an incentive to join the ride, prizes for the motorcyclists.
Pictured are Rev. Doreen Duley, Board Chair (left), and members of the
Southern Crusaders for Christ, Chapter No. 686, of the Christian Motorcyclists
Association. From left to right they are Phillip and Susan McMillan, Reggie
Evans, Jean and Ferrell Ford, Wolf VanZandt, Marge Shultz and Rita McNeely.
In November, 2004, the group arrived at the Children's Village with much fanfare. They provided lunch, and some of the kids even got to ride the motorcycles. The chapter has been organizing this ride for five years. They have collected and repaired dozens of bicycles and have donated them--as well as computers--to our children. Dr. Judy Manning, South Central Regional Director, presented the award to eight Crusaders who attended the luncheon.
For outstanding volunteer service
at the Center for Children and Families in Birmingham, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
SUE MILES
Former Irondale councilwoman, Sue Miles, received the award for her work at the Birmingham Center for Children and Families. Part of the Center's mission is to meet the needs of its close neighbors. Creating successful partnerships with community leaders is important to that mission's success.
Pictured
at right are Dr. Judson Armstrong, Center Supervisor, Mrs. Sue Miles and
her husband Bob.
The Center is located in the city of Irondale. Early on, Dr. Judson Armstrong, Center Supervisor, approached the City Council. Miles jumped at the opportunity to help. Judson said, "Her work has been invaluable in helping us make the Irondale contacts so that we could begin to help people in this community. We could not have done it without her."
Sue has done much to open the doors of ministry to the Irondale community. She has helped us gain access to the mayor of Irondale as well as several other city council members. Thanks in large part to Miles and her enthusiastic support, the Center is building a tutoring program at the Irondale Public Library. It is also developing programs to help kids in the most disadvantaged schools in the area. She assists with our brown bag seminars, community outreach efforts and has given us valuable leads for alternative funding sources.
For outstanding volunteer service
at The Settlement in Headland, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
JOHN AND RACHEL WAGNER
John and Rachel Wagner won this award for their work at our group home in Headland, AL, The Settlement. They were not able to attend the luncheon in Selma. Stay tuned. We will add more information here about their work with our boys at The Settlement.
For outstanding volunteer service
at Northwest Alabama Therapeutic Foster Care in Jasper, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
JASPER FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Jasper First UMC continues to assist our Therapeutic Foster Care programs through donations and by making available space in their facilities to train our parents. The church members provide each foster child with a wonderful Christmas, and this year they sponsored a Christmas party for our children. Santa came to visit, pizza was eaten and we all listened to a fascinating storyteller. We are grateful that First UMC has adopted our foster families who do so much for these troubled kids. First UMC was not able to send a representative to the luncheon to accept its award.
For outstanding volunteer service
at Mobile Family Options in Mobile, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
FRISCO CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Frisco City UMC offers many different ways that its members can be involved in ministry to the families enrolled in our Mobile Family Options program. Every year, the church sponsors a fundraiser for the Children's Home in addition to their normal White Christmas activities, and the Frisco City United Methodist Women have supported the efforts of the Family Options program to meet specific needs that arise.
The Spares and Pairs Sunday School Class began a Thrift Store in 2002 that operates from community donations. Proceeds from sales provide financial assistance to needy families in the community. The director, Mrs. Ella Wayne Byrd, will arrange for the Families enrolled in the Family Options program to come to the store for clothing and household items. Through the outreach of Frisco City UMC, we are better able to serve our families. We thank Rev. Joe Curtis, the interim pastor, Dr. Thomas Butts, and the members of Frisco City UMC for their dedication to the preservation of the families we serve.
Rev. Doreen Duley presents Frisco City UMC's award to its delegates. Pictured
with Rev. Duley are Ella Wayne Byrd, Melanie Byrd, Mary Lou Ives and Brenda
Ashley. Also pictured is Frisco City UMC's interim pastor, Rev. Thomas
Butts, who formerly served on our Board.
For outstanding volunteer service
at the Scottsboro Group Home in Scottsboro, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
DAVID MULKEY, COORDINATOR
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
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Bill and Ginger Abernathy won the 2004 Volunteer
of the Year Award for the Tuscaloosa Group Home. Pictured are Kristy
Goodman, group home supervisor; Ginger Abernathy; Rev. Doreen Duley,
board chair; and Bill Abernathy.
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In September, employees from the Tennessee Valley Authority in Jackson County cleaned house at the Scottsboro Group Home. In connection with the Greater Chattanooga Combined Federal Campaign’s (CFC) Day of Caring, David Mulkey brought seven volunteers and two pressure washers and cleaned the siding, the gutters, the fence, the sidewalks—everything but the staff and residents! The group home’s house parents cooked lunch for them, and The Daily Sentinel came out to record the event.
For outstanding volunteer service
at the Tuscaloosa Group Home in Tuscaloosa, AL,
the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to
BILL & GINGER ABERNATHY
Bill and Ginger Abernathy are members of St. Luke UMC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their involvement this past year has included teaching weight lifting, coaching community football, creating a fenced regulation sized basketball court, refurbishing the landscape and vegetable garden, leading art activities, repainting rooms and laying tile. They often attend the boy's music concerts and host special birthday parties at St. Luke.
At Christmas, Mr. Abernathy dressed as Santa Claus and brought all the boys presents and handmade stockings that Mrs. Abernathy and her friends had made. The Abernathy's are truly special and have become family to the boys at the Tuscaloosa Group Home. We sincerely appreciate all their hard work and look forward to many more experiences with them.
Hurricane Ivan vs. the Children's Home
Click here to read about Hurricanes and Hummingbirds.
We survived Ivan! As you might expect, the Gulf Coast Group Home in Milton and the Delchamps Babies First and transitional living programs in Mobile were hit hardest. We are so thankful to God that none of our children or foster families were hurt, and damage to our facilities was minimal. Here’s how our programs reported in:
Milton, Florida – Gulf Coast Group Home
Mobile, Alabama – Delchamps Babies First
Mobile, Alabama – Family Options
Robertsdale, Alabama – Baldwin Regional Therapeutic
Foster Care
Dothan, Alabama – The Settlement, Dothan Therapeutic
Foster Care
Selma, Alabama – Children’s Village
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You Can Help the Relief Efforts Now! Most of Alabama and West Florida will be recovering from the effects of Hurricane Ivan for months to come. We are partnering with the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church to get donations to the affected areas as quickly as possible. Our safe and secure online donation web page is now available for Visa and MasterCard donations to the relief efforts. Click here to go to the online donation page of the United Methodist Children's Home. To donate online for the Hurricane Ivan recovery efforts, click the link above and follow the instructions to make a donation. When you see the "Comments" field, type in "Hurricane Victims". 100% of the money donated through our website will go directly to the AWF Conference Advance # 0110-22A, "Local Church Disaster Relief Fund." This money is used to assist AWF Conference churches that have been damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. Click here to learn more about the Conference's recovery work and this fund. Questions? E-mail pmccurry@umch.net or call toll free at 877-729-8624. |
Milton, Florida - Gulf Coast Group Home
On Wednesday before Ivan hit, the Gulf Coast Group Home girls and house moms evacuated to Selma where they stayed with the girls in Cottage 38. They returned to their home on Saturday after the storm to find a big mess.
“It looks like a war zone,” says Gulf Coast Group Home’s supervisor, Abbi DuBose. Luckily the buildings in Milton sustained very little damage, but there are lots of trees down everywhere. Storm damage forced two of our staff members out of their homes, and Abbi and others are dealing with major renovations.
The septic tank’s electric pump stopped working so the girls stayed with staff until power was restored. They were without power for nine days! We are grateful for how the community has supported us. Crews from all over the United States have worked nonstop restoring power and services, clearing roads, and removing all the debris. A group from Milton First UMC did a beautiful job of clearing the trees and repairing a damaged fence.
Everyone was startled when an Army sergeant and commander came by accompanying a US Public Health inspector to make sure the building was safe. The Sheriffs Department delivered water, ice and MRE’s, the military’s Meals Ready to Eat. One of the girls is in ROTC and loved her MRE’s. The others were not quite so enthusiastic.
It will take Abbi longer to get to work now until the collapsed I-10 bridge from Pensacola is rebuilt. She says that people were stressed but are now doing well. “We’re looking forward to getting back to normal,” says Abbi. “The residents are fine, and the house moms have been great, but they’re very worn out.”
Mobile, Alabama - Delchamps Group Home - Babies First
On
Tuesday afternoon, before Ivan’s storm surge hit, three pregnant moms
(one at seven months!), two with young children, and the staff from Delchamps
Babies First evacuated Mobile to the Children’s Village in Selma. They
enjoyed the hospitality of Judy Manning, the new Regional Director in
charge of the Village (see “Welcome Back”, p. 5), and spent time with
the residents there in Selma. Of course, Ivan’s eye passed directly over
the Village, but the retreat did spare the young mothers the stronger
Gulf winds.
They returned Friday to a power outage at Delchamps and stayed with staff in their homes until power was restored on Monday. Supervisor Mae Knox had some minor damage to her home in Pensacola, but our facilities got through without a scratch, except that about $500 worth of food had to be replaced. The girls shared their feelings about the experience, which is always good for kids and adults to do after a stressful event.
We are grateful for the volunteers from Christ UMC in Mobile who covered the home’s windows with plywood before the storm and came back afterwards to take the plywood down, cut up fallen trees, and start our gas grill for us! Rick Dacus, the singles minister at Christ, organized the work. Their service is truly representative of Christ, our Servant and our Lord.
Mobile, Alabama - Family Options
As everywhere else in southwest Alabama and northwest Florida, a lot of trees came down. Some of the Family Options families were forced to evacuate the area. Power was interrupted, and we were able to help with emergency financial assistance to replace spoiled food. Many families took advantage of drop-off sites for free ice and water. One of our social workers at our Atmore office took major damage to her home. Our prayers are with her and all the families recovering from the storm.
Robertsdale, Alabama - Baldwin Regional Therapeutic Foster Care
Some of our foster parents in Southwest Alabama were without power until the end of October! But this resilient community of families braved the winds gusting up to 145 mph, the driving rain, and the falling trees—so many falling trees—to care for the troubled foster kids they love so much!
In
many places without water, without power, without telephone and cell phone
service, and even without the ability to purchase food or gasoline, communities
and neighborhoods rallied together, shared food, and supported each other.
“We’re just grateful to be alive,” says Bernadine Mason. She and her husband
are foster parents in Monroe County. They have cared for 15 foster kids
through our program and have even adopted a few of them.
“They are wonderful people,” says TFC Supervisor Bonnie Porter, “with the ability to just take whatever comes and trust God to get them through.”
Our Robertsdale and Evergreen offices took some minor damage. Anita Lee, our Staff Assistant at the Evergreen office, recruited her three children, 15, 11, and 10, to move limbs, rake leaves, sweep and clean up after Ivan. Thanks, guys!
Dothan, Alabama – The Settlement, Dothan Therapeutic Foster Care
Some of the boys at The Settlement group home spent the night with family or went to a shelter, but everyone was back home within 24 hours. Here, we just got a lot of rain and had to deal with some minor building issues.
Many of our foster parents in Geneva County live in mobile homes. The authorities issued a mandatory evacuation rule for those residents, so we had to coordinate their “escape.” Like our facilities, the homes of these dedicated Therapeutic Foster Care parents took only minor damage, if any, though lots of trees were down. For the most part, power was restored quickly.
Selma, Alabama – Children’s Village
On Thursday, the eye of the storm passed directly over Selma. Eight large trees were either completely uprooted or snapped off at the trunk, and about 25 took heavy damage from the 70-80 mph sustained winds. One fell across the front door of Cottage 19, and another took out power for several blocks. Fences and awnings were damaged and there were missing roof tiles and shingles. Most cottages had power by Friday night, but a tree completely destroyed the transformer behind Cottage 19, leaving the girls there without power until Sunday.
What
a sight to see the Village children working side by side with the staff
to clean up the leaves and smaller branches after the storm, leaving the
big stuff for the maintenance workers. Frazer UMC, Church Street UMC,
and the Alabama-West Florida Conference’s Disaster Recovery Team blessed
us with volunteer groups to help with the mess.
All of our perishable food in the refrigerators and freezers across the campus had to be discarded due to power outage. By the week after, faithful supporters were already responding to the crisis with donations of money and food. God kept us intact, and the children are well and safe. Staff was glad to be back at work, and the children were happy to have their air-conditioners back on.