Flooding in Iowa

Second Shipment Arrives

Giving Children Hope’s second shipment of aid arrived Monday, June 30th, to the Church on Fire Christian Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The shipment, which contained generators, food and other necessities, was made possible by the help of Cottonwood Church of Los Alamitos, California.

The Church on Fire Christian Center has been open Monday through Friday to offer the aid to anyone affected by the floods. Pastor Brenton Hall, who oversees the distribution of the aid, said that they feel “so blessed” and are very appreciative of the support of Cottonwood Church.

Pastor Brenton Hall who helped distribute aid at the Iowa church sent a letter to Giving Children Hope:

We just received the second semi truck that you so graciously sent here to Cedar Rapids Iowa. It has been a difficult time for many people and local businesses but the generosity of others has been truly humbling. Through your efforts we have been able to supply many churches and organizations with much needed supplies. We have also been blessed to help the members of our church, seeing as how many of them have had severe damage to their homes and a few have even completely lost theirs. It is strange to see the local county and city offices take up residence in the nearby mall because there offices have been destroyed. Or seeing enormous lines to enter the post office parking lot because the local post offices in Cedar Rapids have been destroyed and all of the misplaced residence have to pick up their mail in 1 of 2 open post offices. As of now it looks as if about 4,000 homes and over 800 businesses were flooded; of which, 2,000 homes are said to be demolished. There are approximately 24,000 people affected by the floods and many of them not only lost their home but everything in it. I am saying all of this to let you know that all of your generosity and support have been much needed and greatly appreciated.

We have found the best way in distributing these items is assembling teams of people to deliver bulk items to specific areas in the community. Many shelters, churches, local aide organizations as well as individuals have been the very thankful recipients of the items you have sent us.

Please know that God sees your generosity not only with Iowa but in all of the areas you have your hand in. I know God has blessed you mightily and will continue to, just like I know He is faithful to turn this devastation around and make a way where we might not see one.

Thank you to all and may God richly bless you and your organization.

Pastor Brenton Hall
Church On Fire Christian Center

View more pictures of the disaster area and of the aid Giving Children Hope sent.

2008.07.02 by Harmony Trevino

Second Shipment to Iowa

Yesterday, Giving Children Hope, in partnership with Cottonwood Churchsent out their second container of relief this month to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where the relief has been well received by those greatly affected by the Midwestern floods.

The container, filled with generators, food and other humanitarian aid, was sent once again to the Church on Fire Christian Center pastored by Brenton Hall, who served as pastor at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, CA for 8 years.

Pastor Brenton oversaw the delivery of care packages to several organizations. The church has also been open Monday through Friday to offer the aid to all flood victims.

More than 11 million people in nine Midwestern states have been affected by the flooding disaster and extreme weather of recent weeks. Iowa has been hit the hardest: 83 of its 99 counties have been declared disaster areas.

2008.06.27 by Harmony Trevino

First Shipment Leaves

First shipment of disaster relief left for Iowa today and is set to arrive at Church on Fire Christian Center to aid victims of the flood.

1969.12.31 by Harmony Trevino

Shipment Arrives in Iowa

A container of disaster relief sent by Giving Children Hope, in partnership with Help the Children, has arrived safely to the Church on Fire Christian Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The 53-foot semi truck containing food and hygiene products arrived on June 17th. Pastor Brenton Hall of the Church on Fire Christian Center oversaw the delivery of care packages to several organizations. The church has also been open Monday through Friday to offer the aid to all flood victims.

More than 11 million people in nine Midwestern states have been affected by the flooding disaster and extreme weather of recent weeks. Iowa has been hit the hardest: 83 of its 99 counties have been declared disaster areas.

Another container of aid is scheduled to be shipped this week.

Giving Children Hope is currently coordinating disaster relief for China, Myanmar and Iowa. One container of humanitarian aid has already been shipped to China, three missionaries have been equipped with aid for Myanmar, and this is the first container of aid to Iowa.

2008.06.24 by Harmony Trevino