March Newsletter Posted

The March 2018 TAG Region Newsletter has been emailed and is archived at this site. Read about an upcoming training at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, upcoming work days at the warehouse, and an investment with a guaranteed return.

Warehouse Work Days Planned for February and March

Please join us at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse on the following dates, when we will prepare relief supplies:

• Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 9 am until 3 pm
• Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 9 am until 3 pm

If your church or group would like to schedule a visit outside these times, just contact Mike Kennamer at mkennamer@pcanet.org.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for your support of MNA Disaster Response TAG Region during 2017! As we enter the Christmas season, we give thanks for all who have contributed to this ministry in any way. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

TAG Region Trailer Arrives!

The TAG Region Disaster Response trailer has been delivered! Praise God for His provision of this vital piece of equipment through the generosity of donors. Special thanks to MNA Disaster Response Director, Arklie Hooten, for his support of this project.

Now comes the task of building the cabinets and purchasing the supplies to equip the trailer. We are pleased and humbled that some of the items have already been provided. Click on this link to see what items are needed. This sheet is now set up so that you can type in your name and email address if you wish to provide one or more items, or the funds to purchase them. Contact Mike Kennamer with any questions. 

While Lowes and Home Depot do not have gift registries, one generous contributor figured out a way to purchase an item for us to pick up at the local store. Simply order an item online from Lowes and have it shipped to our local store in Fort Payne, Alabama. You could also do the same thing by shipping to our local Home Depot store, located in Scottsboro, Alabama. Just email us to let us know when you receive the confirmation that the item has been received at the store so we can pick it up.

Would your church like to hold an event to raise funds for this effort? Let us know. Let's get creative in securing this equipment for this asset to our region. 

Exciting News!

We are excited to announce that, through the generous donations of donors, MNA has ordered a disaster relief trailer for the TAG Region. The trailer should arrive in 4-6 weeks.

Now we need YOUR help! We need to raise an additional $3,900 over the next 5 weeks to purchase the large items that will impact the design of cabinetry inside the trailer. Please consider joining us in this ministry by providing one or more of the following items:

• Dewalt 4-gallon portable 125 PSI electric twin-stack air compressor - $299 at Lowes
• Dewalt 10-in carbide tipped table saw - $499 at Lowes (FUNDS RECEIVED)
• Dewalt Rolling universal miter saw stand - $199 at Lowes
• Dewalt 12-in 15 amp dual bevel sliding compound miter saw - $399 at Lowes
• Husky 5000 Lumen twin-head LED worklight with stand - $99.97 at Home Depot (need 2)
• Metal Safety Gas Can, 5 gallon - $84 each at ULine (need 2)
• Werner 13' aluminum multi-position ladder - $119 at Lowes (need 2)
• Toughbuilt 32" tall adjustable folding sawhorse - $49.99 at Home Depot (need 4)
• Kobalt 3000 series 22.5 in x 41 in, 9-drawer steel tool chest - $249 at Lowes
• Kobalt 3000 series 41 in x 41 in, 11-drawer steel tool cabinet - $350 at Lowes
• Honda 2500 watt generator - $999 at Northern Tool (MNA DR can receive a significant discount at Action Rental in Rome, GA)
• Honda WB20XT3A Water Pump - $429 at Water Pumps Direct

Contributions of cash and Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, or Amazon gift cards are also helpful, as they allow us to shop for the best prices.

Click here for a complete listing of tools needed for the trailer.

For more information, contact Mike Kennamer at 256-899-4966 or mkennamer@pcanet.org.

Texas Update

Report from Arklie Hooten:
The situation in Texas has gone from bad to worse. As of this morning, Monday August 28, we know of at least 25 PCA families that have had their homes flooded; that number will rise significantly over the next few days.  At least two PCA physical plants have flooding and the flooded area is growing by the minute.  Harvey is forecast to be back over water just offshore of the coast during the next couple of days and there is potential for re-strengthening.  We have received reports that some PCA folks are awaiting rescue as the water continues to rise; another 25” of rain or more is predicted over the next few days.
 

MNA Disaster Response continues to consult with leaders in TX and will continue to be until we can get into the area to assess how we might respond with them. Flooded roadways are preventing access at the time with no movement in or out. However, MNA will begin sending mobile bunkhouses, shower trailers and other equipment into the area over the next few days to standup relief operations by pre-positioning this large equipment just outside of the hardest hit areas so that we can move in as soon as safe access is permitted. MNA is working with leaders to determine the best strategic host sites.

For now, please do the following to support your denominational relief efforts:

1. Pray for relief from the storm and for those being rescued and affected by this storm.
2. Give generously. Click this link or paste this address in your browser to support efforts financially: https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=6D781F3DFD8A428 Funds will be used for assessment, mobilization, relief grants for flooded PCA families and churches, to purchase needed supplies and equipment, to construct Sheds of Hope, and to setup and operate flood recovery sites.
3. Send relief supplies & equipment. For a list of needed supplies click here.
4. Prepare to GO. Click here to register your intent to serve. 

 After this information went out we learned that Rick Lenz, MNA Disaster Response South Central Region is setting up a volunteer center in The Woodlands and bringing in equipment. They are not ready to accept volunteers at this time, as the waters have not yet receded. In fact, the rain continues to fall. Look for more details to follow.  

In this region, we are encouraging churches and individuals to donate flood buckets, to help replenish the stock at the MNA Warehouse. We expect the ones in stock to go out later this week so we need to replenish the stock for the next shipment to Texas. This video shows how to assemble flood buckets. We will be happy to pick them up from within the TAG Region and take them to the warehouse.

Painters Needed at MNA Warehouse

Renovation of the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse is well underway. All the drywall is up and the air conditioning ducting should be finished in the next couple weeks. There is an immediate need for teams that can help paint interior walls.

Teams can be of any size and may stay at the warehouse, if overnight lodging is needed. For more information, contact Mike Kennamer.