American Family Association Raises Over $150,000 in Three Days and Continues to Partner with Eight Days of Hope for Hurricane Harvey Recovery Efforts
TUPELO, Miss.—Before Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Florida, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the Houston and Corpus Christi areas and devastated the fourth-largest city in the nation with catastrophic, record-setting flooding. Flood waters have begun to recede, and now the massive cleanup efforts begin, with tens of thousands still displaced and more than 60 lives lost.
On Aug. 30, the American Family Association (AFA, www.afa.net) announced it was partnering with Eight Days of Hope to help provide relief to those affected by the massive storm.
Throughout last week, AFA called on its loyal friends and supporters, asking them to give online at www.AFA.net toward the much-needed relief efforts. As of Friday, more than $150,000 has been raised. This was possible because of American Family Radio’s loyal and compassionate listeners. All funds are being sent directly to Eight Days of Hope and their Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
“While families are experiencing tremendous devastation and sadness, our prayer is that this partnership will shine the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those affected by this disaster,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon. “We are immensely thankful to the American Family Association supporters and friends who generously gave to those in need.”
AFA had previously partnered with Eight Days of Hope, a Christian, non-profit organization that provides disaster relief and recovery, on numerous occasions since its inception in 2005, soon after Hurricane Katrina.
Eight Days of Hope (EDOH), originally called the Disaster Rebuilding Ministry, sent its first volunteers to Texas on Sept. 4 to start an eight-week long disaster relief effort. Since 2005, the organization has expanded to include a Rapid Response Ministry, a Distribution Ministry and a Feeding Ministry. The Disaster Rebuilding Ministry has served 13 communities throughout the United States, completing roughly $30 million of work in over 2,000 homes. Since the Rapid Response Ministry formed in 2014, it has served 18 communities, completing over $4 million of work in over 1,100 homes.
Eight Days of Hope headquarters will be located at Grace Community Church in Houston. From there, the non-profit’s leaders will send out volunteers to help the hurricane victims. EDOH plans to implement all its equipment in partnership with local and national volunteers to clear roads, remove debris, gut houses, as well as fulfill other needs for the community. It also plans to utilize hundreds of dehumidifiers and fans to help thousands of families over the next eight weeks.
During the disaster relief effort, EDOH will launch its new Feeding Ministry. The recently donated 53-foot-long feeding unit will focus on providing nourishment to members of the community and aid workers. The Feeding Ministry is able to produce and feed 2,000 people over a two-hour span.
Volunteering is currently open to the public. Visit www.eightdaysofhope.com for more information.
For more information on American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or on Twitter @AmericanFamAssc. Read more about AFA.
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To interview a representative from American Family Association, contact Beth Harrison, Hamilton Strategies, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 102.
