Volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse finished up orientation at Vineyard Christian Fellowship on Monday afternoon with a prayer. They then headed toward Indian Lake to help with the cleanup efforts there. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
Something’s different at Vineyard Christian Fellowship (VCF). Extra cars in the parking lot. Large RVs next to the playground. And people in orange t-shirts going in and out all through the day.
The church at 624 Township Road 55, Bellefontaine, was chosen to be the base camp for the Samaritan’s Purse disaster response team. They’re here to help homeowners in the Indian Lake region recover from the March 14 tornado catastrophe.
With volunteers and chaplains arriving in Bellefontaine from around the country, the team will assist with roof tarping, debris cleanup and chainsaw work. Out-of-state helpers will eat and sleep at VCF for at least three days. The response team anticipates being here until April 6.
But Jaime Keoshian, the program manager from North Wilkesboro, N.C., said they will stay as long as they’re needed.
“Families are usually overwhelmed. They don’t know where to begin because rarely have they gone through something like this,” Keoshian said.
“Our mission is to share the love of God by helping with immediate physical recovery needs and providing comfort as they process through the loss.”
Local volunteers are welcome to join the efforts. Here’s what you need to know:
- Required orientations are conducted at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. every Monday through Saturday from now until Saturday, April 6, at VCF or 606 State Route 708, Russells Point. Each volunteer will be given a pass card for registration and only needs to go through orientation once.
- Contact the site at least 24 hours in advance of the date you want to serve by calling 937-935-4391.
- They have projects for everyone. Those who aren’t able to handle heavy physical labor can hand out tools, organize the trucks or simply minister to the residents.
- Day volunteers need to bring their own bagged lunch, water and hand sanitizer.
- While some tools are provided, volunteers can take their own tool belts and small hand tools.
- Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.
- Participants must be at least 14 years old. Youth ages 14 and 15 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Those who are 16 and 17 need an adult chaperone unless they’re part of a youth group team.
- Youth group teams must complete a Youth Leader Covenant.
- Wear appropriate clothing—long pants, sturdy boots, work gloves. There’s also a chance the clothes could be ruined during the labor so plan accordingly.
- Each volunteer will receive an orange Samaritan’s Purse short- or long-sleeved T-shirt.
VCF will host dozens of volunteers, including six Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplains and two cooks, over the next few weeks. Though the number will fluctuate during that time, they had 67 people from all over the United States sleeping in makeshift bunkrooms throughout the church on Monday night.
Keoshian joined Samaritan’s Purse after her town of Midland, Michigan, suffered its own disaster in May 2020 when two dams failed, unleashing a torrent of water on Midland County and forcing about 10,000 people out of their damaged homes.
“I asked the Lord how I could do more,” she said, “and He led me to an assistant program manager position.”
The team saw 90 people show up on Monday to help out. For more information on how you can join them, visit spvolunteer.org or call (937) 935-4391.
Jane Olsen from Marmon Valley Farm, left, finishes registering as a Samaritan’s Purse volunteer for disaster relief at Indian Lake. Jaime Keoshian, right, is the program manager for the tornado response team. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)