Comments Off With the beginning of the Christmas season comes the responsibility of supplying children with the very best Christmas possible. As holiday events begin to unfold, the world is constantly reminded of the children that may not have much to celebrate. This is not the case at the Appalachia Dream Center. Continue reading 'Christmas at the Appalachia Dream Center'»
Comments Off 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
Comments Off Thu, Aug 28th, 2008 12:00:00 am
Several weeks ago, Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted Operation Compassion about fulfilling a wish for Marisa Monbrod whose leukemia was in remission. All Marisa wanted to do was help people whose lives were caught in poverty and despair. He community of Crystal Lake joined with her to raise the finances necessary to procure product and provide her family transportation to and from the dram center in Logan, WV.
Her community raised almost $60,000 to purchase schools supplies, computers, food and many other necessary products for Marisa’s special day of distribution. Mike Hartwell, director of ADC prepared the center and the local community for Marisa and her family. When Marisa arrived at the dream center on July 15th, everything was in place and ready to go as 126 families attended the event including 243 adults and 221 children. In addition, 220 meals were served including 125 meals to shut-ins.
Distribution was a tremendous experience for the local community, Marisa and her home community. Everyone was amazed how a little girl had developed so much compassion while fighting a disease that could end her life. He dad, Rich Monbrod, simply said, “She is paying it forward for all the kindness done to her.”
By the end of the day, Marisa and her family had a once in a lifetime experience giving food, toys and schools supplies to a community that is struggling during this economic downturn. Marisa’s mother and father were very appreciative to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Operation Compassion and Appalachia Dream Center for giving Marisa the opportunity to fulfill her dream of helping others.
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
Comments Off Seven years ago, when the doors opened in Logan, WV Appalachian Dream Center, there was a sense of awe at what was accomplished so quickly. In less than one year the Appalachian Dream Center went from a dream to reality including renovating a 40,000 square foot, four-story building. Everyone involved hoped this new concept in West Virginia would be a success against the fight on poverty in a region where 30% unemployment was common. The region’s economy rises and falls with the operations of the local coal mines. It is truly a region best of times, worst of times. Continue reading 'Appalachian Dream Center Continues Battle Against Poverty'»
Comments Off 
Old roof being removed from house.
The forty-eight hour span of time from May 4th through May 5th was a miraculous time for a disabled couple living in the shadow of the Appalachian Dream Center. For some time, this elderly, disabled couple had lived in a house without adequate roofing. Time had eroded the shingles and water had begun the decaying process on the decking and trusses.
Men from Ider, AL replacing new roof.
Knowing the need, Michael Hartwell, Director of Operation Compassion’s Appalachian Dream Center, started the process of securing the necessary help for this couple’s home. Two churches, Fairview Church of God and Rainsville Holiness Community Church, committed to the project but had a very limited time frame in which to work.
On May 4, 2002, after driving most of the night, nineteen men and fourteen women arrived at the Dream Center around six o’clock in the morning. They were tired and hungry but ready to work. After a good wake-up breakfast by the Dream Center staff, this team headed for the couple’s house to begin the forty-eight hour miracle.
Roof is just about finished!
Over the next several hours, this miracle team that included for teenagers, completely removed the old roof and replaced it with a brand new non-leaking roof ready to last for the next twenty years. Then the interior ceiling was repaired from the leaking that had occurred, window ceils were repainted and the porch furniture was given a face-lift with some paint as well. The first day was now over and the team went back to ADC for some much deserved and needed rest and a good dinner.
Workers preparing kitchen floor for replacement.
After a few hours sleep and breakfast, this miracle team was back at the house ready to complete their appointed tasks. The kitchen floor badly needed repair. However, this team of dedicated workers replaced the kitchen floor with new linoleum flooring. After doing some needed general cleaning and laundry for this couple, someone noticed that the wheelchair needed a new tray, which they purchased locally, along with a new faucet for the kitchen sink.
Ceiling needing repair.
Now, day two was over and it was time for this team to return home to Ider, AL. Before they left, this team presented the couple with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a lasting memory of their love and miraculous teamwork. This elderly, disabled couple, without any family to help, thought the rest of their lives would be spent in a house needing so much repair was suddenly given a forty-eight hour miracle. In so little time, this house was transformed from a leaking house to a dry home. They were overwhelmed to say the least!
Michael Hartwell said, “This is what we do, making reality out of dreams!” “This is the heart of the Appalachian Dream Center – making life a little better than the day before,” continued Hartwell.
Ladies from the "Miracle Team" inside the house.
When the dream center was only a vision in the mind of John Nichols, President of Operation Compassion, this was the kind of project that was envisioned. Lifting people out of their poverty while redeeming them to God. The Appalachian Dream Center staff is fulfilling the vision that was cast more than three years ago.
There was a forty-eight hour miracle in Appalachia! One elderly couple can testify to it because they experienced it! Thanks to the dedicated and hardworking men and women of Ider, AL, dreams can become reality!
Was it mentioned that the work was completed while a steady rain fell – what a miracle!
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
Operation Compassion is a registered 501(C)3 // 114 Stuart Road NE // Suite 370 // Cleveland, TN 37312 // (423) 728-3932
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