No Sales Tax on Disaster Preparedness Purchases in AL This Weekend

Alabama is holding its fifth annual sales tax holiday this weekend, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe weather preparedness supplies free of state sale or use tax. Local sales and use tax may apply, depending on which local governments participate.

Items exempt from Alabama sales tax include:

• cell phone batteries and chargers
• tarps
• duct tape
• non-electric can openers
• fire extinguishers
• smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, etc.)
• and more

See the list on the Alabama Department of Revenue website for details. 

The Alabama Department of Revenue website also provides a copy of Sales Tax Holiday Law and Rules, along with a list of participating local governments.

Retailers are required to comply with this holiday and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax exempt during this weekend. But hurry, the sales tax holiday ends at midnight Sunday night. 

Thanks to Grace Community Trenton!

Nine members of Grace Community in Trenton Georgia spent Saturday at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse checking flood buckets and preparing them for shipment. In total, 161 buckets were checked for the right components, placed on a pallet and stretch wrapped.

Working on flood buckets is a great way to get involved in disaster response, regardless of age or physical condition. If you would like to take a group from your church to the warehouse, please contact Mike Kennamer.

Thanks to the folks at Grace Community for serving God by serving His people.

Reminder About Ministry Opportunity

We are scheduling two days this next week to serve at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse in Rome, Georgia:

• Monday, February 15 (9 am - 3 pm EST)
• Saturday, February 20 (9 am - 3 pm EST)

The work involves checking flood buckets to assure that they have everything they need before they are distributed to those who need them. Volunteers are needed to open the buckets and inventory the contents before resealing them and marking them ready for delivery.

We will take a lunch break (lunch is on your own). It is okay if you can only stay for part of the day.

If you would like to help on one or both of these days, please email Mike Kennamer. 

Consider Becoming a Financial Partner

Did you know that you can impact people far beyond your local community by becoming a financial partner with Mission to North America's Disaster Response ministry? For more than ten years, MNA Disaster Response has shared God's grace with those impacted by natural disasters.

In December 2015, I was called to serve within the bounds of four presbyteries in east Tennessee, north Georgia, and north Alabama. My role is to help churches and presbyteries prepare to respond to natural disasters at home across north America. I have elected to not accept a salary, but (as is the case with all MNA staff members) must raise funds to help support the ministry.

My overall fundraising goal this year is to raise $15,000 that will be used for program expenses. That means that I need to raise $1,250 per month of ongoing support. In addition, one-time contributions of any amount will help to provide start-up funds as I work on building monthly support.

My real goal is that the funds would come in and that I would be able to focus my energy on training, response and preparation rather than fundraising. 

Would you help me to reach this goal by making a monthly tax deductible contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more?

In order to raise this amount we need: 

• 10 individuals/families to donate $25 per month
• 10 individuals/families/churches to donate $50 per month
• 5 individuals/families/churches/presbyteries to donate $100 per month

Becoming a partner is easy. Simply click on the button below. Click here if you prefer to donate by check. 

Opportunity to Serve: Day Trips

We are scheduling two days this month to serve at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse in Rome, Georgia:

• Monday, February 15 (9 am - 3 pm EST)
• Saturday, February 20 (9 am - 3 pm EST)

The work involves checking flood buckets to assure that they have everything they need before they are distributed to those who need them. Volunteers are needed to open the buckets and inventory the contents before resealing them and marking them ready for delivery.

We will take a lunch break (lunch is on your own). It is okay if you can only stay for part of the day.

If you would like to help on one or both of these days, please email Mike Kennamer. 

Thanks to Northwest Georgia Presbytery

Thanks to Northwest Georgia Presbytery for welcoming me as a guest on Saturday. I enjoyed hearing about the ministry from our director, Arklie Hooten, and having the opportunity to meet a number of folks from northwest Georgia. Arklie shared about the disaster response warehouse and about the new TAG Region.

Special thanks to Seven Hills Fellowship for hosting us.