Only mere weeks have passed since record-breaking Hurricane Beryl made its landfall along the coastline of Texas. The storm that left damage in its wake throughout the Caribbean before unleashing chaos on the Gulf Coast broke multiple records as one of the earliest forming hurricanes as it continued to rapidly grow and strengthen due to unusually warm waters this season.
God’s Pit Crew’s Immediate Disaster Response Team rapidly deployed to Houston, Texas, on July 11 to assist with relief efforts for the millions of residents who were impacted by the storm. Over 20 casualties in Texas have since been reported in relation to Hurricane Beryl, with many of those deemed heat related after over 3 million homes and businesses were without electricity for extended periods of time.
God’s Pit Crew volunteers have been bracing the extreme heat and helping residents clean up massive tree damage left behind by the storm’s catastrophic wind. The Immediate Disaster Response Team only recently returned home from Texas after assisting with flooding and the derecho windstorm in the Houston area just weeks prior. God’s Pit Crew volunteers have even helped multiple families that have experienced damage from all three disasters.
Along with the onsite crews laboring to help, multiple truckloads of critical relief products have been deployed from God’s Pit Crew’s Virginia-based headquarters to the affected areas, as well. Four semi-trucks carrying over 1,300 Blessing Buckets along with Play Pails, snack food, bottled water, and cleaning supplies have been delivered and distributed to disaster victims across southeast Texas.
Blessing Buckets are five-gallon buckets containing non-perishable food, water, hygiene items, first-aid kits, Bibles, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Play Pails are three-gallon buckets that contain toys and activities, hygiene products, blankets, backpacks, and other essential items that are carefully chosen to help care for a child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs following devastation.
“The need is great for as much help as possible here in Texas,” stated God’s Pit Crew Immediate Disaster Response Coordinator Chris Chiles. “There is so much damage in these communities and our volunteer crews are working tirelessly to assist as many people as possible.”
God’s Pit Crew President Randy Johnson explained that response by the organization is only possible because of the support shown to the ministry.
“All of the work that our volunteers complete – removing tree damage, tarping roofs – all of that is fulfilled at no cost to the homeowners,” said Johnson. “We’re only able to do that because of the gracious financial and prayerful support of our many donors and partners.”
For those looking to assist with God’s Pit Crew’s disaster response initiatives, volunteer and donation opportunities can be found by visiting GodsPitCrew.org or by calling and speaking to a representative at (434) 836-4472.