OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- In order to organize the outpouring of volunteer and donation requests due to base flooding, the Offutt Chapel has stood up a Chapel Response Team.
The base starting taking-on water March 15 and within 48 hours about one-third of the installation flooded. Additionally, a large part of the community was impacted leaving several Team Offutt members displaced from their homes.
“We have had many people that want to help and they don’t know where to go so they can volunteer,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Kevin Humphrey, 55th Wing chaplain. “We wanted to create a vehicle to utilize all the amazing people who want to help.”
The goal of the CRT is to help streamline volunteer efforts across the base as well as collecting and organizing donations such as food for the workers and household goods for the displaced families.
“It’s important to understand that this is going to take weeks and months to recover so this will be a prolonged effort,” Humphrey said. “As the needs come in from the base we will send those needs out to the volunteers. Some may be able to do manual labor. Some may be able to help provide meals for squadrons.”
As the needs become more apparent, those who have identified themselves as ready and willing volunteers will be contacted.
To be added to the distribution list, please send information to 55WG.HC.CHANNEL@us.af.mil