By Demetrius Moffett

I’ve been blessed to have grown up in the great state of Michigan. I’ve had the awesome privilege to walk blocks to school in two to three feet of snow. I’ve had the experience of having to find different ways to stay warm at the hands of an ice storm power outage.

I believe I am a creditable source and knowledgeable about survival technics with snow, ice and the bitter cold.

Having been a first responder during Hurricane Rita and Ike, being naïve, I thought again that I would be going into work to help others.

However, this time last year I felt like Gilligan stranded on an island. I woke up only to find my neighborhood had become beachfront property.

I had no experience or knowledge of how to deal with three, four or five feet of water. With snow we could just get the front loader, pick it up and stack it on the side of the road and keep it moving. With this water there was nowhere for us to pump it.

Nevertheless, whether snow, ice or water. The call for unified rescue was sounded and the response was overwhelming. Those who knew what to do teamed up those who didn’t but still had a desire to help.

These recuse efforts didn’t stop after the water receded, there were many that came from all over this great country to assist with the muck out and rebuild and we thank you very much.

As we remember, let’s not forget. It’s not over. There are still thousands of homes that are still in need of having attention given to them.

There are several of our elders who have not had their homes mucked out. Which at this point need to have their entire home mucked out due to the mold migration.

There are still homes that our neighbors are living in that are still down to the studs.

As we remember, let’s not forget we still a tremendous work to do. There is still the need for collaborate efforts to restore our communities. We are still in need of material, manpower and money.

As we remember, let’s not forget. We are in hurricane season and we are truly a hurricane away from being forgotten.

As we remember, let’s not forget we still need each other. It worked a year ago, it can work today.

As we remember, let’s not forget.

 

Demetrius Moffett is Senior Pastor of Orange Church of God, 1911 North 16th Street in Orange.