Video courtesy of RLife Productions
Samaritan’s Purse’s Disaster Relief Unit was in Belleville, Ontario from May 1 to 21, 2014 responding to requests for help from local authorities after spring flooding damaged hundreds of homes.
Rain and fast-melting spring run-off caused the Trent and Moira river systems to flood communities across Hastings County, east of Oshawa. Our response served Belleville, Hastings County, Foxboro, Tweed, Cambellford, and Trent Hills.
“Hastings County is happy to have Samaritan’s Purse come to assist with flood recovery,” said John O’Donnell, Community Emergency Management Coordinator with Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services.
Our Disaster Relief Units (DRUs) are specially-equipped tractor trailers stocked with generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear to equip staff and volunteers to share God’s love in a tangible way with hurting people. Samaritan’s Purse has three Disaster Relief Units—in southern Ontario, New Brunswick, and Calgary.
Volunteers began help with the clean-up efforts on May 5. The response from local churches and the community was very positive, with dozens of volunteers signing up to help after presentations were made during Sunday services. In total, 33 projects were completed and 136 volunteers contributed 1,084 hours.
Samaritan’s Purse partnered with Rapid Response Team Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to help meet the emotional and spiritual needs of flood survivors and volunteers. There were more than 50 ministry opportunities and one volunteer committed her life to Christ.
Related News Coverage:
Click here to read more about our flood response in Burlington.
Click here to learn more about our response to the flooding in the Sussex, New Brunswick area
Help Samaritan’s Purse strengthen the impact of local churches in communities recovering in the aftermath of disasters. As caring Christians are trained and empowered to walk alongside individuals and families to find solutions to complex needs, God opens doors to share the Gospel.