When the southeast woke on February 6, 2008, tornadoes had ravaged many locations leaving destruction and homelessness. As the Church of God’s Operation Compassion began to respond with their disaster relief teams, no one really knew the magnitude of the destruction left behind.
When the first team arrived in Mountain View, AR the destructive force was evidenced in every direction. A tornado had landed in this north central area of Arkansas and cut a swath ½ mile wide and over 100 miles long before ascending skyward. Several small towns and the rural countryside were left in ruins. In Mountain View the car dealership had been obliterated by the storm and cars were tossed across the street and into the hospital, causing city officials to close it. Homes and businesses alike were left in piles of rubble. In some instances, it took survivors two days to receive any help.
Operation Compassion is in full disaster relief mode as it resources five sites across Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama. The Mountain View site has a network of all aspects of disaster relief. God’s Pit Crew is removing and cleaning debris; Mercy Chefs are serving 1,000 hot meals each day and will start serving two hot meals on Monday, February 11th; Operation Compassion is delivering needed supplies. In fact, from this site, we are able to help surrounding communities as satellite sites. The mayor and city officials were so pleased when Operation Compassion arrived they gave the convoy of trucks a police escort and placed our site at the Cultural Center beside FEMA.
Pastor Leon Burns and his wife of the Mountain View Church of God have been instrumental in the success of our efforts. Also, Pastor Heath Hogan of the Flippin Church of God has helped establish satellite sites and delivered product in the Gassville, AR area.
In fact, as Operation Compassion and its partners continue to serve the survivors, volunteers are coming from all over the country to help. Products and supplies are being sent by Feed the children with 5 semis, Operation Outreach with a semi of frozen chicken and Convoy of Hope with 3 semis of needed supplies. So far, Operation Compassion has networked and delivered 17 semis of product.
Join forces with the many partners of Operation Compassion and send a financial donation to assist the survivors of this incredible tornado outbreak.
Please send your donations to or contact:
Operation Compassion
Donnie W. Smith, D.Min., Executive Director of Care Division
David Lorency, President
Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator
Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator
114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org [1]