Welch College is working to help with hurricane relief for victims of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Welch.
“Welch’s students, administration, faculty, and staff are once again providing help and assistance to churches and individuals following devastating storms and flooding,” Williford said.
Students used their fall break to travel to flooded parts of North Carolina under the supervision of John Murray, Director of Christian Service at Welch. “Students have stepped up to the plate, volunteering to travel to New Bern, North Carolina, to help with the gutting of homes damaged by flooding from Hurricane Florence,” Murray said.
“Another group of students plan to go to the Wilmington, North Carolina, area during their upcoming Christmas break in December,” he continued. “By that time the weather will have turned cold and the labor will be more difficult because of the temperature, but they have said, ‘Let’s go.’ That’s the Welch spirit that characterizes our students.”
Shortly after Florence hit North Carolina, Hurricane Michael devastated much of the panhandle of Florida with 150 mph winds, causing damage up into Georgia. Welch delivered supplies to aid in the relief effort after Hurricane Michael. Immanuel Church Free Will Baptist, a Gallatin church plant under the auspices of Free Will Baptist North American Ministries, also contributed toward the project.
“Welch and Immanuel sent a trailer with food, water, cleaning supplies, roof tarps, and other supplies to the stricken area of Clarksville, Florida,” Williford said. “Pastor Allan Austin is coordinating relief efforts through his church, Traveler’s Rest Free Will Baptist Church. Bob Bass, building and land consultant for Welch who is also an alumnus and former Welch trustee, made the trip from Gallatin to Florida, using a trailer provided by the National Master’s Men’s ministry. Welch is also planning to send funds for hurricane relief for our people in Southwest Georgia.”
“These efforts add to a long history of Welch students and staff stepping up to the plate when our churches and people are hurting,” Williford continued. “Other trips like this have been made not only to North Carolina, but Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. Students have even traveled as far as Haiti to help build a boys’ dormitory at an orphanage. We are grateful for the spirit of service found in our students.”