Trinity Episcopal Church sent out six work crews Saturday, Feb. 16, to help remove debris from the homes of parishioners and other residents of Hattiesburg who suffered damage from the EF-4 tornado that hit the city February 10th.
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| St. John's/Ocean Springs workers clean up a yard in Hattiesburg |
“We had 66 people show up ready to serve at 9:00 a.m. Saturday,” said the Rev. Marian Fortner, priest-in-charge of Trinity, “and there is a lot to celebrate and lift up to God in thanksgiving. It was an extraordinary day. As I told the 10:30 crowd in church Sunday, it was something only the Holy Spirit could have organized."
Trinity coordinated the efforts of its own parishioners and volunteers from St. John’s/Ocean Springs, St. Peter’s by-the-Sea/Gulfport, and St. Patrick’s/Longbeach. The Rev. David and Gay Elliott, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, made the trip to Hattiesburg and called on parishioners in the hospital due to storm related injuries.
Also in Hattiesburg the same day was an EYC group led by Whitney Robinson from St. Andrew’s Cathedral. The youth group worked to clean up debris in the yard of Sarah Catherine Robinson, Whitney’s sister-in-law.
“ I give thanks for your willing hearts,” Fortner concluded in a post on the Trinity Church facebook page.
If you wish to help—call Dena Parker, Dir. of Volunteer Hattiesburg, 601-325-7117
“A lot of hard work has been accomplished,” said Dena Parker, Director of Volunteer Hattiesburg, “but there is still work to be done.”
Parker said that assessments are continuing and work sites will be available for volunteers who travel to Hattiesburg, but she asked people call her before traveling.
“We ask that all volunteers register with us and call ahead of time,” said Parker.
Volunteer Hattiesburg set up headquarters at the old Hattiesburg train depot at 305 Newman Street. Volunteers are requested to check in, receive their site location and report to the group how many hours the group worked. The details are used for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use in determining the extent of volunteer help provided to the area.
Parker also said that she needed volunteers from Forest, Perry or Lamar counties to help in the volunteer center itself.
Fortner said that she will continue to assess the situation. “I will be in touch with Volunteer Hattiesburg and the Hardy Street Volunteer Center about needs. Meanwhile, I commend both to you and your friends if you want to help and have the time. They are very well organized and will get us to the places we need to be.”
The Hardy Street Volunteer Center is located on the property of the Hardy Street Baptist Church.
The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of The Mississippi Episcopalian.
