DISASTER RELIEF AT WORK (DRAW) CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND GIVING

During the past four years, the non-profit organization Disaster Relief At Work (DRAW), based in Clarkston, Michigan, has been helping victims of natural disasters throughout the United States. The organization was created to help victims of floods, fires, hurricanes, and recently supported Flint residents affected by water contamination. DRAW celebrated four years of community support and giving on Sunday, May 22, with a DRAW birthday party! Local residents were encouraged to join DRAW at its warehouse located at 1556 telegraph Rd., Pontiac, to help fill buckets and celebrate four years of community support with a DRAW birthday cake.

DRAW was founded by Greg Martin, a former Youth Minister at Clarkston United Methodist Church. Martin believed that there was a need for quick and personal help to victims of natural disasters. He shared his vision with a number of churches, schools, and organizations in Southeastern Michigan and received enthusiastic support. He also contacted several businesses and community organizations, who responded with financial support.

Martin had observed that many disaster victims needed basic supplies to recover. So, he created six different buckets of essentials to help victims. “The 5-gallon buckets contain supplies for cleaning, sleeping, bathroom use, storing valuables, etc.,” noted Martin, executive director of DRAW. “For example, the ‘Sleep’ bucket contains bedding for survivors or a first-response volunteer; a ‘Family Bathroom’ bucket will supply toiletries for a family of four. The buckets are filled by volunteers, stored in a warehouse in Pontiac, and stacked in a trailer that is sent to disaster sites.”

During the past four years, DRAW volunteers have responded to more than a dozen disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy in the New York City area, Force-5 tornadoes outside of Oklahoma City, Hurricane Isaac in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, and others. The past nine months have been particularly busy for DRAW. Volunteer teams helped victims from South Carolina floods, California wildfires, Mississippi River flooding in Missouri, and tornadoes in Rowlett, Texas.

DRAW volunteers respond quickly and effectively. For example, after storms destroyed more than 3,000 homes in little Rock, Arkansas, DRAW arrived 24 hours later with needed supplies. After floods from 12 inches of rain in 24 hours ravaged the city of Boulder, Colorado, DRAW’s cargo van of cleaning and bathroom buckets was being unloaded at crisis shelters. When Jean Lafitte, Louisiana was completely under water from Hurricane Isaac, DRAW’s first-response team was there to distribute supplies, patch damaged roofs, and supply tarps for residents.

But, one of the most demanding support efforts was responding to the Flint water crisis. DRAW spent 10 weeks in Flint, delivering $150,000 worth of bottled water (18 ½ semi-truckloads) to more than 30,000 residents. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted; the volunteers came from 7 local universities such as University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Wayne State, and Oakland University, the Birmingham School District, Faith Tabernacle and Riverside Tabernacle in Flint, plus 12 other churches from Oakland County. A number of businesses, such as Seven-Eleven, Crestmark Bank, Essence on Main, and CNN also provided volunteers and water.

“There’s no other time in the human experience than when someone goes from everyday life to rock bottom an instant after a natural disaster,” said Martin. “These people did not create the disaster; they are the victims. But, don’t tell them that. They see themselves as survivors. We at DRAW are inspired by their determination to recover. If we can provide helping hands, supplies, services, or encouragement to help them return to normal, we are honored to be part of that process.”

DRAW’s existence and efforts are dependent on the contributions of volunteers and financial supporters. With this support, DRAW can replace resources used to respond to the Flint crisis and recent and future natural disasters. If you are interested in supporting DRAW’s services, volunteering, or providing financial support, visit the DRAW web site: drawbuckets.org, or email executive director, Greg Martin at: greg@drawbuckets.org.

DRAW will be celebrating its 4th birthday during the afternoon of Sunday, May 22. The public is welcome to visit the DRAW warehouse at 1556 telegraph Rd., Pontiac, help fill some buckets and have some birthday cake!

DRAW is a 501-(C)-3 nonprofit organization; all donations are tax deductible.