Albany religious organization raises funds for hurricane, wildfire relief

ALBANY — The Albany Baptist Minister’s Conference presented two disaster relief checks to a representative from Samaritan’s Purse, a charity organization that provides aid to disaster victims.

One check for $1,000 will go toward efforts in Valdosta. Just an hour from Albany, the city was hit by Hurricane Idalia at the end of August. The storm was a Category 2 by the time it reached south Georgia with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour.

Lowndes County faced power outages, wind damage, fallen trees and flooding. Lynne Rienstra, Samaritan’s Purse’s director for church development, said the volunteers with the organization have been assisting with tree removal, tarping up damaged roofs and removing water damaged debris from houses.

Samaritan’s Purse focuses on those who are most vulnerable, she said. Their mission is to show God’s love through practical needs.

The money from the interdenominational Albany nonprofit will go toward construction materials and tools, Rienstra said.

The raised money is a great show of support from Albany’s church communities, she said — especially from a city that knows what it’s like to go through natural disasters.

“For people in this town, to have been hit time after time with hurricanes, high winds, flooding … I think it kind of breaks or softens the heart with compassion for others,” Rienstra said.

In 2018, Albany suffered significant damage from Hurricane Michael and experienced much of what Valdosta is currently going through.

“There’s an opportunity for people here in Albany to say, ‘We know what it’s like to go through a natural disaster. We had our roof ripped off by Hurricane Michael and maybe it’s our turn … to come alongside people who are in need of some help,’” she said.

Aid from local churches, the large pool of volunteers and the commitment of Samaritan’s Purse in showing spiritual support and guidance to disaster victims, Rienstra said. It makes people feel less alone.

The Minister’s Conference also raised $2,000 for disaster recovery efforts in Maui, Hawaii, post-wildfire.

Clifford Porter Sr., vice president of the Albany Minister’s Conference, said the organization has always looked for ways to support people in times of need.

“We’re doing the same thing now,” he said. “Wherever our brothers and sisters are, we’ll try to reach out and help them.”

It took about two to three weeks to raise the money, Porter said. Most of the funds came from church members’ generosity.

“It’s about unifying together,” he said. “We can do it better together.”

The organization isn’t finished yet. Porter said they are continuing to raise money to help both Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts and wildfire recovery efforts in Maui.

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan