Determined Church Volunteers Brave Hurricane's Horrors To Help Those Hardest Hit by Katrina

Convoy of seniors on social security, soccer moms, students, and medical professionals from Sevierville go on mission of mercy to Mississippi.

Sevierville, TN (PRWEB) September 16, 2005 -- Four dozen volunteers equipped with a $60,000 donation representing the 800--member New Hope Church of Sevierville, TN have taken truckloads of food, blankets, medicine, baby supplies, and other staples for victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Long Beach, Mississippi area. Theyve made camp" in a washed out Episcopal school and begun distributing supplies donated by church members and others since Katrina struck.

The survivors in Mississippi are facing the most de-humanizing conditions," according to Pastor Tom Sterbens. Thats where our volunteers wanted to be -- where they felt they could do the most good for those who were hit hard by this disaster. Our members expect to experience in a very personal way some of the horrors Hurricane Katrina brought."

The 48 New Hope Church Disaster Care Team volunteers who will spend 7--21 days away from the comforts of home and family are folks from every walk of life who want to make a real and tangible difference in someone elses life. This New Hope Care Team is not only helping countless individuals, its also helping get churches cleaned up and available as command centers where people can find ongoing, continual support.

Sterbens and the volunteers gathered for a prayer service at the church, packed up all of the final donations from the congregation and the community in pickup trucks and 18--wheelers, and left for Mississippi at 4 a.m. on Monday, September 5th. With them went the prayers of all East Tennessee -- and the entire nation. They are still there.

Please visit our website to learn more about our New Hope Disaster Care Team, and how you can get involved if you would like to.

Media Contact: Chip Tarver

New Hope Church Disaster Relief Effort

103 Dolly Parton Parkway

Sevierville, TN 37862

Phone-24 hours (865) 428-0789

Fax (865) 428-7619

Cell (865) 654-2484

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