Samaritan’s Purse Calls for Joplin Volunteers

Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief experts and volunteer teams are hands on in Joplin, Mo., with emergency assistance to survivors of the devastating tornado that ripped through the area last Sunday.

“This is the worst storm season I have seen in my lifetime,” says Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “These survivors need to know that God loves them, and we’re grateful that He has given us what we need to respond to these disasters within hours.”

The team is basing its Disaster Relief Unit with a local church partner, Forest Park Baptist Church. The Disaster Relief Unit—one of five tractor-trailers that the organization has stocked with emergency supplies and tools that are ready to roll whenever disaster strikes—will function as a self-supporting operations center for volunteers and staff.

Samaritan’s Purse is asking for volunteers to help with this response, and the first volunteer team was sent out today to work in some of the hardest hit areas of the city.

“Samaritan’s Purse will help Joplin tornado victims salvage their important possessions, remove fallen trees and debris and make emergency repairs on storm-damaged homes,” says Luther Harrison, director of North American projects for Samaritan’s Purse. “We want to come alongside these homeowners who have lost so much and help them through this difficult time.”