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By admin, May 15, 2009

On Friday, May 8, 2009 five and one half inches of rain fell within a six hour time frame. The hard and fast downpour created devastating flooding in a small but populated area of southern West Virginia. Mingo County suffered the most damage with more than 10,000 people being affected and more than 2,000 homes either destroyed or severely damaged.

As soon as the flooding became know, Operation Compassion began to respond to the region. Our disaster network swung into action as God’s Pit Crew responded with a semi truck of bottled water and another semi of equipment for clearing debris. Troy Duggan and Bridge of Hope also responded with FEMA food and meals ready to eat (MRE’s).

Leading the way into this disaster was Mike Hartwell, director of the Appalachian Dream Center in Holden, WV. Hartwell has coordinated this relief effort by being on site and positioning each team for maximum effort and response. ADC also delivered a truck full of supplies including diapers, Blankets, pillows, sheets, food and drinks. In addition, the American Bible Society has made Bibles available for the relief effort.

The flood waters were so powerful that Johnny Hager reported that 23 bridges floated by his house and two 2,000 gallon fuel tanks loaded with fuel. Mud is everywhere, in every home and business, mud as deep as five and six inches. So, now, the clean up begins. Scraping and sweeping the muddy water and removing the trees and pieces of your neighbor’s house; separating the trash from the good and what is a total loss and what can be salvaged. “Every time it floods in this valley it gets worse. There is just no end to it,” according to a flood victim stated.

Anyone interested in supporting financially, donating products or providing a corporate lead may contact:

Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator
Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator

114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org

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By admin, January 3, 2003

Beginning in late October and ending on December 19th, Operation Compassion’s fleet of semis were busy crisscrossing the country delivering food, drinks, toys, stocking stuffers, hygiene articles and clothing to the Merry Christmas America 2002 partners. From North Carolina to California, North Dakota to New Mexico, in metropolitan areas and small towns, Operation Compassion’s partners were busy establishing Christmas programs unique to the needs of their communities.

Each partner received a semi loaded with food, drinks, candy, chips and boxes for about 380 families. Each box weighed between 50-60 pounds. There were enough chips, drinks and candy for each partner to have a special event or party for the community. Also included were enough toys and stocking stuffers for each child to receive five each. As a special bonus, each semi had five Roadmaster 26” Bicycles each one valued at $750.00.

Because of all the hard work produced by everyone involved over 122,000 children received Christmas gifts that would have been without. More than 10,000 hot meals were served and over 30,000 families received food boxes. At least 500 first time conversions have also been reported.

The success of Merry Christmas America 2002 came from twenty-five events hosted by churches and community agencies that helped purchase the products and pay for the shipping costs. Another seventy-five parties were direct partnerships through Operation Compassion Distribution Centers.

During the Christmas season there are always people that have a story to tell.

• There was a mother with an autistic child that always wanted her son to learn to ride a bicycle but could never afford. However, this Christmas at one of the church sponsored parties, a drawing was held for one of the five Roadmaster bicycles and her son’s name was called. That mother saw that bicycle as a confirmation from the Lord that her desire for her son would come to pass.
• Then there was the family with three children and they had not had new shoes in almost two years but this year all three received brand new Nike’ brand shoes from one of the church sponsored events.
• In one town, the mayor got involved by selecting an extremely poor family that would have had nothing, no toys, no candy, no food, nothing for Christmas. Yet, they received the food box, toys, candy and other snack foods plus were selected through a drawing for one of the Roadmaster bicycles.

Merry Christmas America 2002 will be remembered for the impact a little food and some toys made on the lives of many and that the Christ of Christmas can be celebrated through tinsel.

Tim Burdashaw
Communications

Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing a corporate lead may contact:

Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 – Office
423.596.4200 – Fax

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By admin, October 18, 2002

Since January 2002, Operation Compassion has been procuring stocking stuffers, toys, books, clothing and school supplies for the Christmas season. Most recently food, cookies, candy and beverages have been procured from across the country. All of these products will serve as the basis for Operation Compassion’s Merry Christmas America – 2002.

During the next ten weeks, Operation Compassion will have its fleet of semi trucks criss-crossing the highways of the United States delivering Christmas to underprivileged families. Churches or agencies wanting to make a difference in their communities have locally sponsored each semi truck. Sponsorships are still available for $4,000 east of the Mississippi River and $5,000 west of the Mississippi River.

Each semi contains the following components:

1. 384 Food Boxes: canned goods and staple foods to feed an average family (each box to be assembled by donors)
2. Snack items for party: Beverages, candy, cookies and chips
3. Stocking Stuffers: 5 stocking stuffers for 1,200 children (assortment of Disney CDs; Garden Babies; McDonald’s Videos; Burger King Batman; Long John Silver Lost in Space; Rug Rat Cassette Tapes)
4. Toys: 4 26” Roadmaster Bicycles ($200 value) and 300 Assorted Ty Animals ($25 value)
5. Clothing, Books or School Supplies – in combination as Donor’s choice

Operation Compassion has set a goal of providing 100,000 children and their families a Merry Christmas filled with cheer and happiness.

Tim Burdashaw
Communications

Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing a corporate lead may contact:

Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 – Office
423.596.4200 – Fax

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By admin, September 20, 2002

Dr. John D. Nichols, Pastor Ron Martin and the Central Parkway congregation gather for the formal opening of compassion Cincinnati facilities.

After weeks of planning and meeting with city officials, Operation Compassion has opened its heart and doors to the inner city of Cincinnati, OH through Compassion Cincinnati which was birth by the congregation of Central Parkway Church of God. Under the leadership of Dr. John D. Nichols, President of Operation Compassion, David Lorency, International Field Director for Operation Compassion and Pastor Ron Martin, Director of Compassion Cincinnati, the maligned inner city will receive the help and hope it desperately needs.

After the groundbreaking and formal opening of Compassion Cincinnati facilities, Dr. Nichols declared, “The war on poverty in Cincinnati, Ohio has just begun. Through this marriage of resources, the families of this inner city will be lifted out of their poverty!” Nichols continued, “While the alleviation of poverty is a daunting task, today we have taken the first step. Tomorrow we will take the second step until there is no more war to wage.”

Compassion Cincinnati Block Party was a blow-out.

For several years, Pastor Ron Martin and the Central Parkway Church of God have been committed to a ministry that meets the needs of the inner city of Cincinnati, which sits at their doorstep. Even though the riots and burning of many inner city buildings came within blocks of the church, they kept doing all they could for the people who faced the hopelessness of poverty and need.

When asked why he would continue to help those who would riot and burn the city, Ron Martin stated, “The riots were a reaction to the circumstances most inner city people face. It was a way of crying for help! When you don’t have a job, food, clothing or adequate housing for your family and hopelessness sets in, people will react. Some steal, others use and sell drugs, still others, which is the vast majority, will try every legal way they can to get a job and support their families, until it becomes hopeless. The riots were an expression of hopelessness for the inner city of Cincinnati.”

Two neighborhood children enjoy Compassion Cincinnati block party.

However, a new day dawned for the people of Cincinnati! During June 2002, Compassion Cincinnati was born. A new building was purchased and remodeled by the congregation of Central Parkway which will serve as the hub of activity in alleviating the suffering and hurting. A downtown city park that had been abandoned was cleaned and beautified for the block party and hundreds of neighbors came to enjoy a festive and carefree day. There were toys and rides for the children and games for all ages. Hot dogs and hamburgers were prepared and everyone ate until full. At the end of the day, food boxes were distributed to families.

Since the initial opening of Compassion Cincinnati, many other events have also been undertaken. A back-to-school bash provided binders, paper, pens and pencils, markers and many of the necessary supplies to help children get a good start in school. Private schools from the inner city were invited to participate. At the same time, there was a back-to-school bash for Hispanic inner city private schools as well. Everyone received an abundance of school supplies including the teachers and school administrators.

Shortly after Compassion Cincinnati became operational, it was named and given a charter to serve the inner city as a Share Compassion Food Co-Op. Now, Compassion Cincinnati is not only helping individual families but also other agencies, churches and organizations that are helping wage this war on poverty.

According to David Lorency, “This is one more link in the war Operation Compassion is waging on poverty in America. No one agency, organization or church can do it alone. It takes everyone!” Lorency continued, “With the opening of Compassion Cincinnati, Operation Compassion now has three Compassion America cities working to better the lives of men, women and children struggling with the challenges of inner city life.”

Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator

Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing a corporate lead may contact:

Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 – Office
423.596.4200 – Fax