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Archive - Article 13
Operation Compassion Provides Immediate Response to West
Virginia Floods
8/3/01
 On
July 8, 2001, heavy rains started pouring down on the coalfields
of southern West Virginia. In some places, eight inches of rain
fell in a matter of hours. The tightly packed mountains and foothills
transformed the swollen creeks into raging rivers, ripping apart
homes and communities with immeasurable force. It left in its path
concrete foundations where, just hours before, a community stood.
Mobile homes and automobiles were strewn about and roads were completely
wiped out.
 On
Monday morning, July 9, Michael Hartwell, coordinator of Operation
Compassion’s Appalachian Dream Center, mobilized the Dream
Center staff to deliver supplies to the shocked and grief-stricken
communities. Within hours, cleaning supplies, food, water, blankets
and mattresses were delivered to numerous areas of devastation.
Upon entering the towns, Operation Compassion saw families trying
to piece their lives back together. The young and old alike were
laboring through mud and debris to clean up the destruction that
nature had left behind.
 As
they examined the damage more closely, Operation Compassion realized
that God’s hand had protected the people of West Virginia.
The degree of damage rivaled that of the Buffalo Creek flood of
1972, which had claimed the lives of 125 West Virginians. This flood
claimed one. It is honestly a miracle that the loss of life was
not greater.
People shared their losses with Operation Compassion as they handed
out food and supplies. They freely expressed their gratitude and
appreciation for the rapid response to their needs.
 It
is an awesome sight to see a team effort created in God’s
name for the sole purpose of restoring hope and well being to those
who have been torn down by unexpected events in their lives. The
relief effort to West Virginia was a partnership of compassion by
caring ministries, churches and individuals. Dr. John Nichols, President
of Operation Compassion had created a network of warehouses, semis
and staff to be able to respond immediately to U.S. Disasters. Larry
Jones of ‘Feed the Children’ had donated to Operation
Compassion 14 semis of water and cleaning supplies only two weeks
before the disaster. Michael Hartwell and the Verndunville Church
had asked for and received from A.T. Massey a 40,000 sq. ft. building
and opened the Appalachian Dream Center.
 Five
semis of relief supplies were in stock and delivery began Monday
morning and still continues by dedicated staff like Larry Hicks,
C.M. Hartwell and many others. Numerous churches like Macarthur
Family Worship Center, Princeton Church, West Logan Church of God,
Shepherd of the Hills Ministry, Darlene’s Food Pantry and
the Harvest Church in Edgewater, Maryland provided and delivered
supplies and relief throughout the flood areas. Macarthur Family
Worship Center provided over one thousand hot meals.
Operation Compassion delivered eleven semis of relief goods to
West Virginia within the first fourteen days of the disaster. Over
267 pallets of critical items have already been distributed. The
next phase of Operation Compassion will be to try and obtain building
supplies to begin the massive reconstruction effort. Three semis
of commercial wallpaper has already been donated and will be delivered
to the Appalachia Dream Center and the Macarthur Family Worship
Center for the flood victims of West Virginia.
Churches all over the U.S. are calling Michael Hartwell and making
arrangements to send volunteers and needed building material.
It will take a lot of prayer and manpower for this area to fully
recover.
To provide volunteers or supplies, call Michael Hartwell, Coordinator
of the Appalachia Dream Center at:
Office: 304/239-6110
Cell: 304/687-5085
To help sponsor additional semis of supplies, please send donations
to:
Operation Compassion
National Distribution Center
114 Stuart Road NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
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