KILGOROUND
LINDA BALLARD

"We're coming closer to hurricane season again," said Gary Hunt. "And all of the disaster units are steadily working for more volunteers to help out.

Gary is one of the unit leaders of the South Baptist Convention Relief teams. His unit is made up of members from Macedonia Baptist Church, Forest Home Baptist Church, East Mountain and Mobberly Churches. Members of the unit also include those who travel from as far away as Garland and Carrollton. "Our state director, has told us, for every 100 members we have, when a disaster comes and the calls come in to deploy, you may get 10 out of the 100 who are free to go," said Hunt.

"Don't think it is just men we need, as there are several units that make up a team," he said. "There is a clean up and recovery unit, the chain saw unit, the mudout unit, child care unit,

shower/laundry, feeding units, chaplaincy and communication units. It takes a lot of on hands work.

Hunt, has been in Kilgore all of his life - soon to be 52 years of age. He was born in the "old hospital;" graduated from Leverett's Chapel High School and attended Kilgore College where he became a welder and became involved in the rodeo.

"I've basically been in disaster relief all of my life," he said. "I always went when there was a need. Years back, a bad tornado came through Kilgore and that's when I really stepped into the teamwork. Highland Park Baptist Church offered a training course, but most of their calls to deploy came across a computer and I didn't have a computer to receive a call. I then became involved with the disaster units at Forest Home Baptist and Macedonia Baptist Church and we have been called out to most disasters which included the state of Texas, Florida, and more recently Oklahoma.

" There is no pay involved, it comes from the heart. And those like me, who is fortunate enough to work for companies who understand your need to go and keep your position until your return is wonderful. Many vacations have been used in disaster areas, as most units go out for seven days at a time. But, I can't begin to tell you how it feels to be able to help others caught in a dilemma.

"Most people have nothing left when disaster hits - no insurance, no money, and no possessions. The first thing we do we do is share Jesus Christ with them. Some don't want it and some grasp it. We want to provide a little hope to dark and let them know there will be a light. We have gone into restaurants and filling stations where the people wanted to buy our meals and put gas in the vehicles, but we can not accept. In my heart, if I had accepted a hamburger that someone needed, it would always bear on me. God sees to it that we are not without. A feeding unit is set up on sight and then we sleep in the churches.

"When we went to Oklahoma we prayed before entering every home and we prayed with the family upon leaving," he said. "The stories I could tell you that makes our time worthwhile… At one place, and I don't know if it was a home or a day care center, when we got ready to leave this little bitty girl came and wrapped her arms around my legs to hug me. If that doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet," he said.

Hunt is also one of eight SBCT instructors for the chain saw schools that are held to make sure the state mandate laws in safety are covered and to teach how to remove a fallen tree without causing any further damage to a home, vehicle or family. Patches are awarded after completion of the schooling. Disaster leaders automatically know by the patches you wear what your capability is in helping out in the situation.

The next chain saw schooling will take place on June 28 & 29 in New Orleans. Gary Hunt will be there helping to teach. If you are interested in

In becoming a member of the disaster unit or partaking in the chain saw school call the SBTC in Grapevine at 1- 877-953-7282 and ask for Amber Birmes.

Remember, "If that doesn't light your fire, the wood is wet."

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Celebrating a birthdays today are Johnnie Allie, Laura Walsh, Laura Ott, Charlotte Duncan, Oscar Richie, J.B. McCracken, Nancy Robinson, Margaret Welch, Marie Hughes, Devoria Jackson, Lillian Ferguson, Haley Stewart, Damon Clark.

Happy Anniviersary today to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Steitler, Charles and Marie Adkins, Lewis and Bettie Wailick.