Oklahoma Baptist Chainsaw Teams Head East To Help Hurricane Irene Victims

Oklahoma volunteers leave on a labor of love this Labor Day. Two Southern Baptist Disaster relief chainsaw teams are headed to North Carolina to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Monday, September 5th 2011, 11:16 pm

By: News On 6


Craig Day, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma volunteers leave on a labor of love this Labor Day. Two Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chainsaw Teams are headed to North Carolina to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

One 10-member team is from the Drumright area. Another team is from Bartlesville.

Often during a natural disaster, it's comforting to know there are people who care. Those kind of people are leaving Bartlesville to help Hurricane Irene victims.

"In here we have our chainsaws, we have 18," said Jeff Harris with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

In addition to those chainsaws, the Washington-Osage Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team has a trailer loaded with other supplies, and hearts filled with a willingness to serve others.

"We know that after any kind of disaster, "said Steve Cabler with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. "There are hurting people."

Once luggage is loaded and loads are tightened down, 10 volunteers will leave Bartlesville for North Carolina.

"It's heartbreaking sometimes to see what's happened to peoples' homes, but it is a blessing to go and help people and help them get their life back in order," Harris said.

Those 10 make up a chainsaw team that will help remove debris the hurricane left behind.

"Any place where there is sandy soil, lots of tall pine trees, water surge and wind you're going to have trees that are essentially down root ball and all," Cabler said.

It's been a busy year of devastating natural events for the chapter. This same group responded to tornados in Tushka, Alabama and Joplin. Now, it is Hurricane Irene.

"They're prepared to help those individuals and just show them the love of Christ," Cabler said.

It's a beautiful morning to start their 1300- mile journey, their caravan of compassion. And it's wonderful to know, there are difference makers during times of need.

"I'm extremely proud of Oklahomans," Cabler said.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

September 5th, 2011

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024