Disaster Relief Volunteers: Hearty Workers With Tender Hearts

By Sharon Mager

WESTERNPORT, Md. — On a cool day in June,  Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers from Maryland/Delaware, New England, West Virginia, and North Carolina gathered in Westernport to assist flood victims. Wearing masks and gloves, the team of about 30 men and women worked diligently, dragging ruined household items and shoveling mud from basements. They were finishing the final stages of a three-week deployment, focused on completing mud-out work on 150 homes following massive flooding in mid-May.

Linda Perone shares some words of encouragement with Mary, holding her Bible, before the team left. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

“That’s where the water came up,” said Mary, a middle-aged homeowner, pointing to a creek running behind her house. The creek still bubbled, noticeably higher than usual.

Her belongings were scattered across the yard as DR volunteers, led by Kerry Wolford, a member of Mountain City Church in Frostburg, worked to finish cleaning Mary’s basement and prepared to spray for mold remediation.

Richard and Linda Perone, 20-year veterans of DR and members of North Harford Baptist Church in Jarrettsville, had assessed the damage to Mary’s home earlier in the week. They recalled how distraught Mary had been when they first met, but as the volunteers worked, she relaxed. The volunteers listened to her story, encouraged her, and spent time talking and laughing with her. By the end of the day, she was smiling, introducing family members, and thanking the workers.

Before leaving, Wolford presented Mary with a Bible signed by the entire team. Linda prayed with her, and Mary accepted the Bible with a shy smile, clearly moved by the gesture.

That scenario was repeated at each job site, with different families and unique stories.

Fellowship is a huge part of the “Yellow Hat Army.” Kerry Wolford and Richard Perone enjoy a laugh together. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Linda shared how much she enjoys ministering to the families. She recounted an encounter with a 93-year-old woman they had helped the day before. The woman, upset about losing her belongings, was overjoyed to receive the signed Bible. “She got emotional. We told her we had something special for her, that we had a Bible, and she was all excited,” Linda said.

“She didn’t even want to put it back in its case,” Richard added. “She said she wanted it right on the table.”

Linda said, “It’s our joy to serve these people.”

Another homeowner, clearly traumatized, described watching the creek rise. “Everything was filled with mud. You can’t get that stuff back. I had so many keepsake items that I’ll never be able to replace,” she said.

Long-time DR leaders George Blevins (l) and Al Caho (r) strategize for the next day’s work after dinner. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

One family they were scheduled to help had recently lost a teenage son. Chris Shutt, a member of New Life Church in Inwood, W. VA., who deploys regularly for DR with her husband, John, was able to minister to the boy’s grieving mother. “I held her in my arms and prayed with her,” Shutt said. The team took care of the flood damage, and continued to support her. Chaplains also assisted.

DR Chaplain Shirley Black from West Virginia emphasized the importance of listening to the victims’ stories. “They want to tell you what happened. You sit with them, listen, and just be there. I always pray that, “If I’m planting a seed, let me do it well,” Black said. She said she depends on the Holy Spirit to be with her, to go before her, and to minister to the vulnerable individuals, providing peace and calling them to Himself.

Dale and Mischelle Camery, chaplains with North Carolina Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief, said they are often blessed by their ministry. “Some people have lost everything, but they still have hope, and that can only come through Jesus Christ,” Mischelle said. “It’s a wonderful thing to see, and I’m privileged to be the one God works through.”

Bruce Outreach Pastor Dave Cowan (l) talks with DR Chaplain Shirley Black. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Incident Commander Al Caho stressed that ministering to victims is the priority of the teams. “That’s why we do what we do,” he said. “Everyone on the team, whether on-site or behind the scenes, strives to minister to the families and to one another.”

Maryland/Delaware Disaster Relief led the Westernport deployment, with support from volunteers in other states. Bruce Outreach Center in Westernport hosted the teams and served as the headquarters for the three-week deployment. When the disaster happened, the church was at the forefront in caring for the community, quickly opening their doors to provide shelter, food, and other needs.

Volunteers slept on cots in classrooms, ate in the cafeteria, and used the office for administrative work. Outside, laundry units ran continuously for both the residents who lost their ability to do laundry and the DR workers, covered in mud and sweat.

North Carolina Baptists on Mission Chaplain Mischelle Camery leads a devotional before dinner. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Feeding ministry volunteers began preparing breakfast at dawn, packed grab-and-go lunches, and prepped dinner, while laundry teams kept the washers and dryers going throughout the day. Chaplains prayed over meals and led devotions.

“Whether working hard or ministering to the families, these volunteers are hearty and hard-working, yet gentle and encouraging,” Caho said. “We’re the hands and feet of Christ, showing His love as we serve.”

Are you being called to serve through Disaster Relief ministry? Our next training is from 9 am. – 4 p.m. on July 12 at Berkley Baptist Church in the Blue Ridge Association. Various training options are available. This training is open to anyone 18 and older. Visit our website to learn more https://bcmd.org/event/blueridge-baptist-dr-training/

Sharon Mager serves as communications specialist and BCM/D News Editor