Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Volunteers For North Carolina Help Clean-Up

Area residents may have noticed strangers cutting trees and cleaning yards from the recent disaster.

This is because the Baptist Men of North Carolina drove almost 800 miles to offer their services and help the people of this area get rid of debris from the ice and snow storm.

Members of the groups came from Lenoir and Franklin, North Carolina to offer their services.

These men belong to the feeding and recovery unit of the Baptist Men of North Carolina, and work disasters nationwide.

Edd Shope, one of the team leaders, said when they learned of the Arkansas disaster they loaded their chain saws, clothes and sleeping bags and hit the road.

They were in the area from Jan. 1 until Jan. 6, working at removing debris from people's yards, left from the falling limbs and trees from the ice storm.

"It's been a good trip for us," Shope said, "a real blessing. The people have been glad to see us and we've been well received."

There were people who tried to pay these men, but they were here to help and accepted no money. However, they did tell those who offered they could make a donation to either the Arkansas or North Carolina Baptist Men.

Larry Osborne, with the Caldwell Baptist Association, said they had a ball working in Arkansas. "If we can't have fun, we're not going to do it," he joked.

This was evident by watching the men interact with one another. There was plenty of good humor as they joshed one another during dinner Friday evening, even though most were near exhaustion.

"It's been tough," Osborne said. "They've really worked us, but we came ready to work.

"We're glad to help folks, and we've met some very nice people. We get excited when we get to help. Some don't understand why we do it and don't want pay, but this is all volunteer work. We love the Lord and are called to be of service."

Earl Woods, another team leader, has been doing this since 1989 when Hurricane Hugo ripped the eastern seaboard, with winds and rain reaching western North Carolina.

He said North Carolina has had a disaster relief organization since 1982 when Hurricane Andrew nearly destroyed much of the Gulf Coast.

Wood said there are actually two different groups, though some of the men belong to both. One is a feeding group, while the other deals with recovery.

There are 120 men in the two groups, all trained by the American Red Cross.

These two groups are subdivided into four groups, each with a team leader.

When a disaster hits, the groups are sent at different times, each spelling the other so none have to work the entire calamity, if it looks like it will be lengthy.

"We've met a lot of good Christian people," Woods said, "and the fellowship is better than being paid. They showed their appreciation. It's been a good trip, enjoyable."

Osborne said he enjoyed seeing Arkansas, though not under these circumstances.

The men compared Arkansas to North Carolina, saying it wasn't much different, other than the pace of life is slower here than in North Carolina.

Woods said the association is also involved in mission work, and has had partnerships with Russia, Brazil, South Africa and the Honduras, while currently members are working in Alaska building new churches.

The men came in eight-member teams, representing six different churches.

Some had to take leaves from their jobs, while others were self-employed and were in their slow seasons. Others are retired and have no problems making such trips.

Osborne said the association has worked in Florida, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, South Carolina and Arkansas.

Once their work day ended, the men had daily Bible readings, enjoyed fellowship with one another and those who helped out where they were staying. They also watched television and went to bed early as they were worn out from their day's efforts.