Thursday, December 5, 2024
As the death toll from Hurricane Helene surpasses 230, according to ABC News, and Florida residents return to face the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the Paluxy Baptist Association is mobilizing to provide critical aid to storm-stricken areas in the southeastern United States.
Led by Boots Chris Hubbard, director of missions, the association has sent teams of volunteers to help with relief efforts, focusing on clearing debris, providing meals and offering comfort to those impacted. “We represent the hands and feet of Jesus when we go into these disaster areas,” Hubbard explained.
“We partner with Texans on Mission, formerly Texas Baptist Men,” said Hubbard. The ministry has been going strong since 1967, and PBA has been involved since the beginning. “We send volunteers from our churches — many retired or taking time off from work — who are deployed like a military unit to help not just Texans but across America,” Hubbard added.
Texans on Mission is a large-scale relief organization that has responded to over 20,000 emergencies nationwide. Through donations and volunteers, they provide essential supplies and assistance to communities recovering from disasters. The PBA plays a key role by organizing local volunteers and collecting much-needed supplies for storm-ravaged areas.
Hubbard emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that the PBA works closely with other relief teams, including Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army. When a natural disaster strikes, they are typically among the first three teams to arrive, often the very next morning or at daybreak.
In some cases, they’ve even arrived at night. “It’s a mad dash to be the first emergency relief team on site,” Hubbard said. “And when people see us, their smiles say it all. They say, ‘Oh, the Texans are coming. The Texans are coming.’”
The PBA’s first team was deployed Oct. 2 to Springdale, North Carolina. These eight men have worked tirelessly, logging 14-hour days to clear roads and assist residents. A second team left Oct.14, bringing emergency supplies such as chainsaws to aid in clearing fallen trees, a critical task in the heavily forested areas.
“Our main focus right now is clearing roads for other emergency vehicles and teams,” Hubbard explained. “Our Chainsaw Emergency Relief Team is critical for this kind of work. We have several trucks, trailers and even a U-Haul filled with supplies.”
The association in partnership with Texans on Mission represents about 500 churches whose efforts extend beyond road clearing. They bring mobile feeding kitchens capable of serving 6,000 meals daily and provide laundry and shower units available. People can bring their soiled clothes, which are washed, dried, folded and returned within 24 hours to those in need.
“We can power up to 10 homes with our large generators when electricity is down,” Hubbard said.
The devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has left many areas uninhabitable, and NBC News reports wildlife, including alligators and snakes, have moved into flooded neighborhoods. As recovery begins, experts urge residents to avoid dark floodwaters in the hardest-hit areas, such as Siesta Key, Florida, where Hurricane Milton landed as a Category 3 storm Oct 9.
Despite these dangers, volunteers of all ages from the PBA are eager to help. “We’ve got a 22-year-old going and an 82-year-old who helps keep our chainsaws running. It’s a well-oiled machine, and everyone plays a part. It’s just about what talents and abilities God’s blessed us with that we can go share with people who are hurting,” said Hubbard.
A team of volunteers from the PBA is already on the ground in Florida, assessing neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Milton and determining where to deploy next. The association is coordinating efforts to evaluate needs in these affected areas. “We’re not going to abandon these people,” Hubbard emphasized. “As one team leaves, another team will arrive.”
The PBA is seeking public assistance, especially in replacing chainsaws worn out from continuous use. As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax-deductible, similar to giving through a local church. The association is coordinating relief efforts from its Granbury office at 1844 Acton Highway, where it is accepting both financial contributions and material donations, including cleaning products and emergency supplies.
