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.

TAG Region to Acquire DR Trailer

We are excited to be working toward the acquisition of a disaster response trailer for the TAG Region. Our vision for this trailer is that it will be used as a mobile tool crib for disasters within the region and may be used by teams when traveling to assist other regions. Further, churches wishing to check out the trailer for local mercy projects may do so.

We need your help to make this dream a reality! Please consider contributing toward the purchase of tools to stock the trailer. Our first priority is to acquire some of the larger tools so that, once the trailer is acquired, we can customize compartments to fit. Learn more by clicking on the Trailer Tool Donations page on this site.

Tools may be new or used in good condition. Brand names listed are suggestions only. Please contact Mike Kennamer to discuss needs and to arrange for donations. Monetary donations and donations of gift cards are always welcomed, as is funds for general ministry support. Every dollar that is donated to this ministry goes directly to the work of the ministry.

July Newsletter Posted

The July newsletter has been posted to the Newsletter section of the website. Check out some exciting news.

Make a Difference This Summer: Donate Hygiene Kits

Vacation Bible School...
Summer mission trips...
Lazy days at the pool...
Vacation...

Summer means different things for different people. What if you could use a small portion of one of your summer days to make a difference to someone whose life has been disrupted by disaster? What if you could make a different for the cost of a couple cups of coffee?

Consider putting together one or more hygiene kits to send to disaster sites. It's simple. See the video below to learn how. You can then mail the kit to the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse in Rome, GA.

New YouTube Channel

MNA Disaster Response TAG Region has a new YouTube channel. Please visit this channel to find videos related to the ministry. Recently posted are videos showing how to pack flood buckets and hygiene kits. Watch for additional videos to be posted.

Continued Progress at Warehouse

A couple teams have hung drywall at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse recently. Check out their progress on the video below.

Lake Oconee (GA) PCA Donates Sheds of Hope and Hymnals

Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church (Lake Oconee, GA) has been very active in disaster response. Recently, they delivered to the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse a pre-fab Shed of Hope kit ready to deploy where needed and a donation of approximately 300 hymnals, to be given to a church plant or a church that is flooded or destroyed.

Thanks to John Myer (left) and Dick Forrester (right) for making an early morning delivery to the warehouse last Saturday.

North Hills Training Session

Thanks to North Hills Presbyterian Church for hosting a disaster response training session on Saturday, April 1. Sixteen people from as far away as Kingsport, TN attended and heard sessions on:

• MNA Disaster Response: Who We Are and What We Do - Mike Kennamer
• Why We Do Mercy Ministry - Ray Carlson
• 10 Ways to Serve - Mike Kennamer
• Comforting the Hurting - Rev. Adam Tisdale
• Sheds of Hope - Mike Kennamer
• DR Basics: What You Might Be Doing - Mike Kennamer
• Preparing for the Storms: MNA Disaster Response Warehouse - Mike Kennamer
• Serving as a Site Manager - Mike Kennamer

Would you like to have a similar training session at your church? Training sessions are offered at no cost thanks to the generous contributions of our financial supporters. Contact Mike Kennamer to plan a training session or to discuss how you can help others by contributing to this ministry.

Disaster Response Training Scheduled

Would you like to learn more about:

• how to comfort the hurting
• why we do mercy ministry
• how to get involved in disaster response
• how to serve close to home
• and more...

If so, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 1 at North Hills Church in Meridianville, Alabama. The training will start at 8:30 am and run until 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. We do ask that you register in advance on our website or send an email to mkennamer@pcanet.org with a list of people who will attend from your church. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Click here for more details or to register.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in Alabama This Weekend

Those of us in Alabama can save money on the purchase of disaster preparedness items this weekend. According to AlabamaRetail.comhttps://alabamaretail.org/resources/salestaxholidays/severe-weather-preparedness/:

Alabama’s sixth severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, and ends at midnight, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, allowing Alabama shoppers to stock up tax free on common supplies costing less than $60 that every home and business needs to prepare for a natural disaster or even a general emergency. Generators costing $1,000 or less also can be purchased free of the state’s four-percent sales tax during the three-day tax holiday. Alabama’s local governments may also choose to waive their sales taxes on the covered items.

Fundraising Drive Has Started

After the first year of ministry we now better understand the needs of the ministry and the resources necessary to support its work. Well the truth is that we think we know. God knows the needs and will continue to provide the resources.


Armed with this confidence and after much prayer and consideration, we have developed a budget and fundraising goal for 2017 of $27,640. The budget is broken down into the following four categories, which parallel ministry goals and objectives for the year.

• Ministry Development ($8,830) -  Develop a high level of disaster preparedness and quick response capability by helping presbyteries, churches and families plan in advance for emergencies, become aware of potential disasters in their communities, develop a plan to survive after a disaster, and minister to others in the spirit of God’s grace and mercy.
  
• Vision Casting ($4,800) -  Make presbyteries and churches within the region aware of opportunities to have a greater impact by working together to respond to regional disasters and by coordinating our efforts with MNA Disaster Response to further leverage our efforts.
  
• Resource Development ($8,320) -  Pull together resources – funds, volunteers, equipment and facilities – to respond to disasters locally and regionally as an act of mercy to give compassionate relief from calamity and to plant the seeds for the Kingdom of God.
  
• Ministry Cultivation ($5,690) - Improving disaster preparedness within my region by offering training opportunities to key leaders, churches, and presbyteries. 
  

I would be happy to meet with churches, presbyteries, and individuals to discuss the details of these needs and, with your permission, ask you to consider investing in this work. Through our connection with the PCA we have addresses and contact information for each of the churches in the region and letters asking for this opportunity have gone out to each. I also desire to reach out to individuals who have a heart for mercy ministry and would partner with us in this ministry. If that description fits you, please contact me by phone (256-899-4966) or email.

Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church Building Sheds of Hope

Lake Oconee (GA) Presbyterian Church was recently featured in The Eatonville Messenger for their role in providing Sheds of Hope to tornado victims in southwest Georgia. MNA Sheds of Hope specialist John Browne recently taught a workshop on building Sheds of Hope for the church.

Work Day at MNA Warehouse - January 14

We are planning a work day at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse on Saturday, January 14, starting at 9 am EST. There are a number of things to do, so everyone is welcomed to attend and help.

If you plan to be there, please fill out a liability release form (click here to download and print) and bring it with you. Hard copies will be available at the warehouse that morning. You will be asked to sign a roster upon arrival. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by a parent or authorized adult and have a liability release form signed by a parent/legal guardian.

To help us plan the work, please send an email to Mike Kennamer indicating how many will attend.

Please share this opportunity with your church and others who may wish to serve.