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1st Response Disaster Team
The most critical hours of need after a disaster strikes are the first 72 hours, prior to the arrival of government relief agencies. This First Response Disaster Team ministry is designed to be there during that critical time, on the frontlines serving food and bringing supplies to those most in need. A beautiful 30’ trailer has been retrofitted with a commercial kitchen, generator and sleeping quarters to facilitate our Team’s ministry.
Connected with the state and local emergency operation centers, our First Response Team will know when and where to help, having clearance to go where it is most critical.
A beautiful 30 foot trailer has been retrofitted with a commercial kitchen, generator and sleeping quarters to facilitate our Teams ministry. The team has served victims of hurricanes and tornados in Florida and as far away as Biloxi, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. In fact the 1st Response Team was the first relief organization to arrive and serve hot meals in Biloxi.
This unit has also been used to serve free meals to needy residents of Apopka, Florida on Thanksgiving days, provide meals to community volunteers serving at local events and minister to crowds suffering through the heat of a summer outdoor Zellwood Fourth of July festival and concert.
Coordinators: Doug & Suzette Gondera
H: 407-886-1212
soapguy42@yahoo.com
This ministry is funded by donations with no contributions being used for salaries. To donate to this community ministry please click here:
DONATIONS: Please send to:
1st Response Disaster Team
Sabbath Grace Fellowship
207 Semoran Commerce Place
Apopka, Fl 32703
Please give us your complete address so we can send your tax deductible receipt. Yes, we are a 501c3.
Here's a brief review of the team's ministry in Biloxi, Mississippi and Naples, Florida:
The 1st Response Disaster Team departed from Orlando on Monday, August 29, 2005 in route to help Katrina victims. After a nonstop 15 hour drive, including detours, we arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi. There was no power, no water, no sewer, no gas, nothing. With the direction of the local police we set up operations in a local mall parking lot and immediately began serving coffee and refreshments to the rescue and police officers who had been pulling bodies out of rubble and live victims out of trees.
By daybreak of Tuesday people began streaming to our sit for hot meals, coffee and water. We served nonstop day and night for the next two days, bringing a small degree of relief to thousands. For most, it was the first meal in two days. We returned to Orlando 5:30 AM Thursday after our fuel, water and food was depleted. A total of about 7000 hot meals were served during our brief stay in Biloxi.
Relief: Phase II
On September 9 the 1st Response Team, in cooperation with the Family Life Church, filled the cargo bay of a Pan Am 727 with $10,000 of diapers, underwear, socks, Baby Wipes and other personal items. These much needed items were distributed by a local church group to refugees in Louisiana.
Relief: Phase III
"Bicycles and Backpacks for Biloxi" become the next relief drive. From our personal experience in Biloxi we recognized that cars and gas were in short supply, but bicycles were extremely useful. Backpacks allowed people to carry food and other items. Donated bikes and backpacks were donated by residents of the Orlando area and transported on September 16 by truck and trailer to Biloxi and distributed by our 1st Response Team.
Hurricane Wilma
The 1st Response Team again had the privilege of serving victims of another of this season's hurricanes, i.e. Hurricane Wilma. We located our trailer in Naples, Florida and served several hundred hot meals. Learning from our experience in Biloxi, we also brought pet food for the other important residents.
