A group of Central States Conference church members from Waterloo, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and St. Louis partnered through their Adventist Community Services teams to provide additional help last October for those hardest hit by the unusual derecho that struck eastern Iowa on August 10.
Over 250 residents received free food, clothing, hygiene and cleaning supplies, thanks to the volunteers working with ACS. In addition, every child received a new winter coat and more volunteers went door-to-door at the Westdale apartment complex distributing boxes of hygiene and cleaning products.
Pastor Keith Hackle, ACS director for Central States Conference, said,”When we arrived in Cedar Rapids we knew we had followed God to the right place…and we set up right in front of one of the houses that reminded residents of the tragedy that had occurred. We wanted to transform that spot; we wanted to create a good memory on that corner!”
Hackle expressed thanks to the conference administration, his colleagues and their teams of amazing volunteers who traveled from near and far, and everyone who contributed through donations, financially and by their prayers. “God was glorified and the community was edified!” exclaimed Hackle.
CSC president Roger Bernard said he was proud of Hackle and the local pastors who coordinated the project. “It’s a job well done!” concluded Bernard.
