Volunteers helping clenaup and sift Colorado Springs Fire

Colorado Springs Fire Video by Matt Elliott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Nu5V7MH1U&feature=player_embedded

The fire is contained and now we have flash flood warnings. Today was another good day. Handed our meals, other food and supplies. Had sifters delivered. Talked to many people and scheduled another family that wants help sifting and cleanup. That makes 3 for this week.

Today has been a good day. We handed out meals, other food, cleaning supplies, mops, shovels and wheel barrel. Looks like the people are slowly wanting to sign up for help with clean up. We have 5 families wanting help and have one of them scheduled for next week. One lady in today with no insurance lost everything. Herman & Lisa from Mountain View CoC have agreed to supervise the cleanup crews. As I have stated before if anyone wants to volunteer to help here you will need RV or make arrangements at Hotel. If you do want to come send me email with dates and how many. We are setup up on land with no utilities and are running everything form our large generator.

Update from Don Hudson

Don's Good News....Disaster Assistance, from it's inception, is a mission that seeks to help people and to help the Church of Christ in it's effort in outreach and evangelism. This mission effort is associated with Lake Jackson Church of Christ, Lake Jackson Tx. We work to help the local church in whatever it needs in times of disaster. The need may be repair and ...construction, or preparation of meals,or counseling and sometimes our volunteers just sit and listen to people who have lost everything. Some of them may even have insurance, but they have lost everything and they hurt. We try to share the love and understanding of Jesus with them. We want them to know that God cares and we do too. Due to the efforts of volunteers in this home missionary work, hundreds of bible studies have been conducted and we are aware of many people who have been baptized into Christ. Most importantly we volunteers are there to help the local church. "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Disaster Assistance - Ground Zero - Colorado Springs Fire

Terry & Joyce Cross arrived here on Saturday form Ohio to volunteer for a few days. They leave for home today. Thank you so much Terry & Joyce. Below is a post from Joyce's facebook page. A meet Rita today. What a story. She is 93 and had to evacuate her home. She was evacuated from 3 different places. Rita was aloud to return to her home a condo Tue 7/3. The stress from this disaster has been hard on her physical and emotionaly. I meet Rita as she was trying to wash the ash off her car that had been left at her home. She didn't understand the auto car wash function and was shaken by the process. I drove the car along with her through the wash as she told me her story and that of others who lost there homes. She called me her angle from heaven and couldn't believe that someone would help her. We talked about why I was there and the work that was being done. Asked her if she would like for us to pray with her and she was over come by the love and care she was given. Terry, Mike and I gave her a drink and we prayed. Wished her God's blessings and she went on her way to buy some groceries. Rita is one of the lucky who returned to a home. Rita like many will be forever changed. This tragedy will find many grieving there losses. The stress will affect the health of some. Continue to pray for the firefighters, the victims, recovery workers and those that minister to them. I'll never forget my friend Rita.

Our First Day at Ground Zero

Well this day started off with a bang. I went out to check oil on generator. When I tried to get back in the latch on the door of the mobile headquarters was broken and I could not get in. Called lock smith he arrived 1 hr later and another 45 min to get it open. Can't get new parts until tomorrow so door is tied shut with string. Than started cooking and generator stopped working. Had to get 4 strong people to help get the 17,500 W generator out of the trailer. Than of course the battery was dead. Finally got it started and cooking again. Than what else could happen? I dropped my phone down the steps and broke the screen. We got the food cooked served around 50 meals, signed up people for other needs, gave out lots of info. and had a listening ear, hug and prayer for many people who lost there homes. All in all we had a good first day.

Disaster Assistance Mission-Colorado Springs Ground Zero Location

We will start serving meals and registering people for other help tomorrow 7/5. Items needed individually wrapped snack cakes individual bag chips ketchup, mustard, mayo packets fruit and pudding cups Gatorade water Clorox wipes paper towels and toilet paper wet wipes walmart gift cards gas cards hand sanitizer wheel barrels shovels, brooms and rakes

-Disaster Assistance Mission-Ground Zero-Colorado Springs Fires-

Well we made it to Ground Zero(main entrance to damaged homes). Photo below is our Mobile Headquarters. You can see the top of the mountains that were burned. We will be setting up and getting things ready for helping families tomorrow.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- One week after the Waldo Canyon Fire firestorm, the wildfire is now 70 percent contained.

The Semi load of supplies from Disaster Relief Nashville will now arrive here at the Eastside Church of Christ on Wednesday then the distribution will began. The lunch program and cleanup will begin when families are allowed to go back to their property. We are not sure when that will be yet. There have been around 350 homes destroyed and a large number of others with damage. Today after service at Eastside we had meeting for any who had questions or wanted to sign up to volunteer. We had a very nice number of members willing to help. This afternoon Elder form Mountain View Church of Christ picked me up and took me to evening service there. I gave presentation of our work and what the plan was for this area. At the end a very nice number of members signed up to help. Both Eastside and Mountain View are very interested in how they can be involved with outreach to the families affected by the fires. If things here are like they were at the Bastrop fires last year, it might be a few weeks before major cleanup begins. As all of you know we have worked 5 disasters in the past 14 months, we need your help to continue at this pace. We need three things YOUR PRAYERS, VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS.

COLORADO SPRINGS (AP) – People who fled the most destructive fire in Colorado's history are being allowed temporary visits to the most devastated neighborhoods, and many will find that their homes were among the nearly 350 burned to the ground. About 10,000 people remain evacuated, down from more than 30,000 at the peak of the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs. On Sunday people whose homes were burned will be allowed to tour the affected areas. Authorities said some residences would be cordoned off with police tape, and people would not be allowed beyond that point.

Colorado Fires

Well I arrived here today around 1pm after 1800 miles. Went directly into meetings with church leader and rep from Disaster Relief Nashville. The Eastside CoC is going to be the central location for assistance for all the Churches of Christ in the area. Tomorrow morning I will attend AM services here at Eastside and have a meeting for Elders and any interested members also Disaster Relief Nashville Rep will attend following services. Have lunch planned with the assigned church disaster coordinator. Later on Elder from another CoC here in town will pick me up to discuss what we have planned and attend evening services with him. At this time we are telling volunteers that we will be needing them starting next weekend for distribution, meal prep and delivery and cleanup. Please send me email if you would like to come and help. Just let me know the dates and how many will come and if you have RV.

Colorado Springs Fires-Latest update

I have made it 1350 miles and only 450 more to go. I will be arriving at the Eastside Church of Christ early afternoon tomorrow. Eastside is going to be the central location for the churches in that area for distribution of supplies, food, meals and volunteers. Also I am working with a group from Dallas(SGSO) that will bring in more supplies and tool trailers as needed. Decision is being made tonight on when to bring in Semi load of food and supplies from Disaster Relief Nashville. Please send me message if you would like to volunteer. Also for those of you that have already let me know that you have a group that wants to come. I will let you know when you are needed as soon as I can.

-Disaster Assistance Mission-Colorado Springs Fire-Officials said 20,085 homes and 160 commercial structures are still threatened

-Disaster Assistance Mission-COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --

At least 346 homes on 34 streets have been lost in the Waldo Canyon Fire, Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said Thursday. Area Preachers and Elders are having meeting tonight to review how they want to move forward with assistance for those affected.

I am having confrence call meetings as I drive. We are still deciding what the best location to setup the Mobile Headquarters would be.

Colorado Fires Latest Update

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Hundreds of homes have been lost in the Waldo Canyon Fire, Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said Thursday. "We now know hundreds of homes have been destroyed," Bach said. "We are working through the process, which is very painstaking, of assessing every address to make sure that we have absolutely accurate information on each address. The worst thing we could do would be to put out information that's inaccurate."

Disaster Assistance Funds needed for Colorado Fires

The Disaster Assistance Mission will be working with Mountain View and Southside Churches of Christ in Colorado Springs. Here is the latest update. A firefighter told a Gazette newspaper reporter that firefighters were told during a Wednesday briefing that 200 to 300 homes have been lost. The firefighter said it was difficult to be accurate about the number of homes lost because of the extreme devastation of the fire. No official estimate of homes lost has been released.

Donations for Colorado Fires (information to your right)

Disaster Assistance Mission-On way to Colorado Fires

I have stopped for the night. 1623 more miles to go. This map shows the growth of the Waldo Canyon wildfire over the past three days. Green line is Sunday, Yellow is Monday, Purple is Tuesday and Red is Wednesday. We will be working with two or more churches in the fire area. WE NEED YOUR HELP

Disaster Assistance Colorado Fires

The Disaster Assistance Mission is on its way to the Colorado Fires. It will take me 3 days to get there leaving from Florida. We will be working with 2 or more churches in the fire area. After I arrive and have meeting with leaders I will update you with the program.

Colorado Fires-Waldo Canyon Fire Devours Neighborhoods Overnight-

Authorities say 32,000 people were evacuated overnight in Colorado Springs as the wind-driven Waldo Canyon Fire exploded into several neighborhoods, destroying countless homes.

-Disaster Assistance Mission-TS Debby-

Looks like they finally know which way it is going. Most of the damage is going to be from flooding.

Looks like TS Debby is going to be spinning in the same place all this week.

-Disaster Assistance-Manitou Springs Evacuated Due To Waldo Canyon Fire-Fire West Of Colorado Springs Has Burned 3,000 Acres-Mandatory evacuations started at 1 a.m. Sunday for everyone north of Manitou Avenue and officials started working their way south through the city. About 5,000 people live in Manitou Springs.

-Disaster Assistance-TROPICAL STORM DEBBY IN GULF OF MEXICO-

With the large amount of uncertainty that exists, care must be exercised to not look at the single line of the official National Hurricane Center forecast, or for that matter in this case even the cone, and assume that Debby is definitely is going there -- it might, but not necessarily -- given the extreme dichotomy in model forecasts the past few days and in the vastly different paths available via the atmospheric forks in the road that exist. Some tropical cyclones have track forecasts which are very straightforward and are of high confidence. This one does not.

Nearly 9,000 evacuated as Utah fire explodes

'Ash was falling on us as we were pulling away,' says one evacuee

Colorado Fire Update

I just received the following update from my contact there. --- I just assessed the situation and the operation appears to operating smoothly for now. It appears that once the evacuation orders cease and people are allowed back into their land, then the real work will begin. God Bless,

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. -- As high winds fuel the High Park Fire, authorities issued new evacuation orders at 6 p.m. Sunday Larimer County officials sent 331 telephone notifications for mandatory evacuations in the Soldier Canyon and Mill Canyon areas.

-Disaster Assistance-Colorado Fire Update-

The High Park Fire has destroyed 181 homes, making it the "most destructive wildfire in Colorado" history, Larimer County sheriff spokesman Nick Christensen said Saturday. The wildfire west of Fort Collins has burned 55,050 acres -- or 85 square miles -- since it erupted a week ago.

Disaster Assistance-Colorado Fires-Friday's Update: 112 Homes Lost In High Park Fire

Firefighters Worried Fire Could Jump Canyon; Threaten Glacier View

Disaster Assistance-Florida Panhandle Flooding

Today I met with leaders of two churches in this area and talked on phone with Elder of a third one. We talked with Emeregency Mgmt, Fire dept, Police and FEMA, I also surveyed the area with one of the Deacons and the outcome was that there isn't enough flood damage there to set up a meal and volunteer program. This is a good thing. Another good thing is I now have 3 churches in this area that are willing to work with us when or if anything happens.

Disaster Assistance-Colorado Fires

In this Saturday, June 9, 2012 photo provided by the Escambia County SheriffÌs Department, people wade through high floodwaters near a sheriff's department vehicle, in Escambia County. Floodwaters from torrential rains damaged homes and closed roads throughout the Florida Panhandle, cutting power to the county jail and sending residents to emergency shelters as the area braced for additional rains Sunday. (AP Photo/Escambia County Sheriff's Department)

Disaster Assistance-Florida Panhandle Flooding

In this Saturday, June 9, 2012 photo provided by the Escambia County SheriffÌs Department, people wade through high floodwaters near a sheriff's department vehicle, in Escambia County. Floodwaters from torrential rains damaged homes and closed roads throughout the Florida Panhandle, cutting power to the county jail and sending residents to emergency shelters as the area braced for additional rains Sunday. (AP Photo/Escambia County Sheriff's Department)

Pensacola's Second Rainiest Day Ever Sparks Flooding

I have also talked with our contact in this area. We are monitoring the flood waters here.

Hundreds Evacuated As Colorado And New Mexico Wildfires Spread

I have been in touch with our contacts in both areas.

Below is the tree across the street from Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa that survived the tornado and how it looks 1 year later.

Disaster Assistance - Tuscaloosa, AL - Central Church of Christ Groundbreaking Ceremony, April 29,2012

Disaster Assistance - Today's Forecast

A stalled-out frontal boundary from the mid-Mississippi Valley to the Southern Plains will serve as the focus for scattered severe thunderstorms the next few days. While large hail and damaging winds remain the primary threat, isolated tornadoes are also possible. Sunday's Thunderstorm Forecast The outlined red area is where we are forecasting the greatest chance of severe weather. Orange indicates areas of general thunderstorms that remain below the severe threshold.

First anniversary of the outbreak that devastated Alabama and other states

First anniversary of the outbreak that devastated Alabama and other states

Tuscaloosa, AL {Apr. 27, 2011}

Early morning on April 27, 2011 I left Fayetteville, NC we had just finished helping after their tornado. I was headed to Popular Bluff, MO to help with flooding. Needless to say I had no idea what was coming. I stopped just east of Knoxville, TN to avoid the storms path but it changed course and came right over where I was parked. I survied a long night two hours of which was in cooler at the gas station. The next morning I called Don and ask him to make some calls while I changed my plans and headed torwards Alabama. Later Don put me in touch with Trae Durdan (Central Church of Christ, Tuscaloosa) and I headed there. We arrived in Tuscaloosa, AL on Thursday April 28th the day after the tornado hit. The following is what we accomplished. Over 150 Bible Studies Setup, 12 Baptisms, 42,866 Meals Served. Over 800 families helped with cleanup (chainsaw and other work). Many loads of other food, water and supplies handed out. Church building was completely torn down and hauled away. Furniture and appliances still being handed out.

Tuscaloosa, AL {Apr. 27, 2011} FAST FACTS 65 fatalities, 1500 injured Total damage estimate: $2.2 billion Tornado path length: 80.68 miles Forbes index (100-point scale): 43.9 Arguably the most destructive single tornado of a record-setting day during which 200 tornadoes spun across the Southeast was a massive tornado which churned through Tuscaloosa, Ala. that afternoon.

Disaster Assistance - Severe Threat Zone Pushes South

Severe thunderstorms are already firing Thursday morning in parts of the mid-South, and several more states will be affected later in the day.

Disaster Assistance - Weather Watch

Severe thunderstorms are expected in portions of the middle-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys on Wednesday. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threats, however we cannot rule out a few tornadoes.

Hurricane Forecast 2012

Updated: April 24, 2012 5:00 pm ET The Weather Channel has issued its forecast for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Below-Average 2012 Forecast

This preseason forecast calls for 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). These forecast numbers are below the long-term average from 1950-2011 (12 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes) and well below the averages for the current active era from 1995-2011 (15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes). “After very active tropical seasons in 2010 and 2011, we expect fewer storms to develop this hurricane season,” said Weather Services International (WSI), a part of The Weather Channel Companies, Chief Meteorologist Dr. Todd Crawford. “The combination of much cooler North Atlantic ocean temperatures and a trend towards El Nino conditions suggest a notable reduction in activity. There is still uncertainty regarding the development of El Nino, which will impact future forecast updates. If the chances of El Nino development increase, our forecast numbers will likely go down even further in future updates.”

Disaster Assistance

Update from Laura Beth Lamb - We are doing well! Had 3 groups weekend before last work at David and Dean's in Marysville. Conrad and Cory are going out about once a week to line up repair jobs for roofs, fences and barns. We are hosting another group this weekend that hopefully will be finishing the work at David and Dean's.

Disaster Assistance Donations

People who have suffered thru weather related disasters are especially appreciative of the help that members of the Church of Christ and others have provided thru the efforts of such organizations as "Disaster Assistance". Please, as you have opportunity, continue to remember this work. To the best of our ability, thru this work, Jesus will be glorified and the Church of Christ will be magnified. Please continue to check here for information on our activities and important info as how to contribute much needed funds. Thank you so much for your gracious support. Don, Director of Outreach.

Woodward, OK Tornado

By Bryan Dean - The Oklahoman The White House on Friday denied Gov. Mary Fallin's request for assistance to aid individuals and businesses in Woodward County that were hit hard. “Having toured the damage in Woodward, I know firsthand how devastating last week's tornado was to this community,” Fallin said. “This was a disaster that killed six people and destroyed numerous homes and businesses. It is appropriate and necessary for the federal government to provide the disaster assistance that exists exactly for situations like this one.” While disappointed, Fallin said the state is continuing to work to bring assistance to those affected by the storm. She announced that the state will now request a disaster declaration for Woodward County through the U.S. Small Business Administration. If approved, an SBA declaration would deliver low-interest disaster loans for renters, homeowners and business owners to repair or replace any property damaged by the tornado and severe weather which was not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. The loan program also would be available to assist businesses that suffered economic injury because of the storms. If the request is approved, under SBA rules, the assistance also would be available in counties contiguous to Woodward County. Meanwhile, Matt Lehenbauer, Woodward emergency management director, said cleanup is taking a physical toll on those involved. His wife, Conyetta Lehenbauer, was treated for dehydration and a back injury this week after helping with the cleanup. “It has been an extremely long week,” he said. “We're all starting to get pretty run down. Thank God for the volunteers or we would have been run down a long time ago.”

Disaster Assistance-Woodward, Oklahoma

I talked with the minister of Woodward Church of Christ in Oklahoma earlier tonight and he feels that they have things under control right now. Members of the church are going to distribute supplies delivered to them by Churches of Christ Disaster Relief tomorrow. He said that the Woodward area is in the mist of an oil boom and many oil company employees have setup grills and are helping feed volunteers and those in need. We will stay in touch for future needs.

Disaster Assistance

Woodward, Okla. Tornado Photo

Alyssa Coleman, 8, carries her dog Blackie Chan through the debris of what was her home in the Hide-A-Way Mobile Home Park in Woodward, Okla., Monday, April 16, 2012. A tornado struck the town early Sunday morning. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
http://newsok.com/photo/uid/6f0d0e486d7ca840ab4c107e3426acfa#ixzz1sKtz6IF8

Weekend tornadoes leave 'a royal mess' in Midwest

Disaster Assistance-5 dead, about 30 injured, many critical, in Woodward tornado

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes-

Today we did 335 meals. Photo below is Minister of Northside CoC and a couple from Martinsburg CoC they have helped deliver meals almost every weekday we have been here.

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes- Today we did 335 meals. Photo below is Minister of Northside CoC and a couple from Martinsburg CoC th

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes- Today we did 335 meals. Photo below is Minister of Northside CoC and a couple from Martinsburg CoC th

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes-

Super day today. Over 350 volunteer out working today in the Pekin and Maryville areas. 531 Meals served.

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes-180 meals today, that put us over the 12,000 mark.

-Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes-

Today we have a team out surveying Maryville and Heneryville for families that need help. We have a large amount of volunteers here this week (well over 100).

Today we cooked 218 meals.

Disaster Assistance-Forney, TX

Forney is about 75 percent cleaned up, its mayor says, and much of the relief from Tuesday’s tornadoes is now being sent elsewhere.

2012 Hurricane Forecast

A Colorado State University team is forecasting a below-average 2012 Atlantic basin hurricane season due to cooling of tropical waters and potential development of El Nino conditions.

The team headed by William Gray and Phil Klotzbach calls for 10 named storms during the hurricane season, which runs between June 1 and Nov. 30, according to a news release.

Four are expected to become hurricanes and two of those major hurricanes, reaching category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir/Simpson scale with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Despite the prediction for a less active season based on data analysis of about 30 years, the scientists warned that it only takes one hurricane to make it an active season for U.S. coastal residents.

The hurricane forecast team’s probabilities for a major hurricane making landfall on U.S. soil in 2012 are:

• A 42-percent chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. coastline (the long-term average probability is 52 percent).
• A 24-percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula (the long-term average is 31 percent).
• A 24-percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville, Tex. (the long-term average is 30 percent).

The team also predicts a 34-percent chance of a major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean (the long-term average is 42 percent).

Disaster Assistance

285 meals served here in Southern Indiana today. Big group of volunteers leaving today. Another big group coming in next week. Total for next Wednesday will be well over 325 here working. Photo below of the tornado approaching Forney, TX on Tuesday afternoon.

Disaster Assistance-Dallas Area Tornadoes

Talked with many of my contacts in Texas last night. From what we are seeing most of the damage was to business or upscale homes. These people usually have insurance that will cover hotel, meals, cleanup and repair. We try not to use donations to help where insurance companies will cover.

Disaster Assistance-Dallas Tornadoes-I am watching tornadoes on the ground in the Dallas TX area right now. I just got off the phone with my contact

Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes- Today we did 271 meals.

Food for body and soul

By STEPHANIE TAYLOR FERRIELL
Leader-Democrat Editor

Experiencing that tornado, which destroyed their tiny town, means they can empathize with current victims. "They're overwhelmed, there's nowhere to turn," Marilyn Losson said, describing one's initial reaction following a large-scale disaster. "Then, they see there are good people and decide they can go on. It's a process."

Mike Baumgartner, president and CEO of Disaster Assistance, relies on volunteers such as the Lossons to give him a hand when he rolls into a disaster stricken area in his kitchen on wheels, a 40-foot RV. Baumgartner estimates 1,000 volunteers have helped him out in Pekin, some for just a day, others for weeks.

He was in south Texas, where he had been working wildfires, when he was contacted by Kevin Blaloch, who pastors Big Spring Church of Christ. He rolled into Pekin the Sunday following the tornados, setting up next to the MJ Auto car lot. A small white sign along State Road 60 simply reads: Free meals daily 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. As of Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., the ministry had served 9,193 meals to tornado victims and volunteers.

"I usually stay where I am until something else happens," he explained. When he's not cooking and serving meals, Baumgartner speaks at churches and tries to promote his mission. He also posts on Facebook to his 4,000 friends and blogs daily about where he's stationed at the time.

Baumgartner has scheduled volunteers in Pekin through the second week in April and may stay beyond that, depending on the need. James and Sarah Goggans of Olatne, Kan., traveled to Pekin to assist Baumgartner. They've been lending a hand since March 4. It's the first time they've assisted long-term at a disaster site. "We're retired now and have a little more freedom than we used to," explained James Goggans. The couple were in Joplin, Mo., following the EF5 tornado which struck the city last May. The scene in Pekin "is what we expected, yet at the same time, we feel for everyone impacted," he said.

Baumgartner was born and raised in Jefferson County, Ky., and lived much of his adult life in central and northern Indiana. He operated greenhouses and for a time was in the condo industry in Florida. When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, "I thought, I should go volunteer." He did, linking up with a church in Mobile, Ala. "I went thinking I would be there a couple of weeks," he said. He ended up staying eight months, traveling back home just six days during that time period. He worked with another disaster group until establishing his ministry and setting out on his own in the spring of 2008.

"It took me 50 years to find out what my purpose in life should be," said the 61-year-old. "What I'm doing now is greater than anything I've ever done."

Today, "home" is the 2008 Guf Stream RV outfitted with a deep freeze and four convection ovens. Experience has enabled Baumgartner to get his routine down to a science. In two hours, he can have adequate food prepared to serve 600 people -- singlehandedly. "This was designed so I can leave [as soon as he hears about a disaster], go, get to work as soon as I get there, whether anyone comes with me or not."

Wherever he lands, Baumgartner knows people will come, ready and willing to lend a hand.

Tuesday, Tilly Gilbert, Salem, a teenager on spring break, was packing lunches with her little cousin, Caleb Tucker, and her aunt Michelle. "My aunt always has projects for us," she said. Referring to the meal program, she said, "I think it's good. I like helping people." Each lunch contains a sandwich, chips, cookies, and an inspirational message from the sponsoring churches.

Across from the tents where food was being placed in sacks, then packed in boxes for delivery, Marty Fleming, Wichita Falls, Texas, manned a grill. After he and two friends heard about the tornado, they felt called to help out. "A fellow in our church said New Pekin got hit just as bad [as Henryville], but it's not been as publicized." The church took up a collection, "some gave $10, some gave $200," Fleming said. With $2,700 in cash and a good supply of home-baked cookies, the trio hitched their smoker to a truck and headed east. They arrived Monday night.

As he flipped burgers, Fleming gestured to a stack of boxes which contained 540 burgers and 320 hot dogs, all of which he planned to cook Tuesday. Baumgartner said what wasn't served that day would be cooled, then reheated later in the week.

Fleming said he's done plenty of volunteering, much of it working concessions at high school football games, "but I've never done something like this." He and his friends plan to stay through Friday.

No job is without its challenges and the biggest one Baumgartner faces is fundraising. "It's much easier to cook 1,000 meals than raise $1,000," he admitted. When he responded to his first disaster, the program had $450 in the bank. Over the next three months, Baumgartner and a bevy of volunteers cooked and served 39,000 meals and he had some money in the bank when he finished. "People wonder if there are any miracles today," he said. "That $450 multiplied just like the loaves and fishes....Sometimes, it gets pretty slim. I'm not an evangelist, so I don't know how to say it, but the Lord does provide. We get to almost nothing and funds show up."

Six area Churches of Christ, including four in Washington County (Big Spring, Fredericksburg, Martinsburg and High Street) are supporting Baumgartner's mission. Anyone wishing to donate may do so through the website, www.disasterassistancecoc.com or by sending a check to Big Spring Church of Christ, 8029 Big Springs Rd., Pekin, Ind. 47150.

Baumgartner said Washington County churches and residents "have embraced our work probably as well or better than anywhere." In addition to monetary donations, a local soft drink distributor whom he knows only as "Andy," brought a refrigerated trailer which allows Baumgartner to have food delivered by Sysco, saving him several hours of daily shopping. A septic company is taking care of dumping the RV tank.

A typical day when he's at a disaster scene finds Baumgartner climbing down from his bedroom loft around 5 or 5:30 a.m. He's cooking by 7 and volunteers begin deliveries by 10:30. "We want to get out in the neighborhoods by 11 so people know they have a meal and don't have to stop work to get food," he explained. The kitchen serves walkups until 3 p.m.

Baumgartner spends the afternoon shopping as needed, blogging and posting Facebook updates before turning in. It's by no means an easy life, but it's the life Baumgartner's convinced he's destined for.

"It's hard work, long hours, travel and always worrying about funding, yet when I'm done at the end of the day, I feel happy; I've helped someone in need."

Disaster Assistance-Southern Indiana Tornadoes- Yesterday it rained from 7am till almost noon, so it was a slow day for meals (49).