REACT (Ready Emergency and Contact Team) was started in the fall of 2010 as part of Walking with Christ - with the idea of training a group from St. John’s to help with local disasters. To that end we were trained in Volunteer Management by COAD (Citizens and Organizations Active in Disaster) of Southeastern Wisconsin and in food preparation by the Salvation Army. While waiting for a disaster to strike locally we decided we could travel to where the disasters have struck. To date (December 2011), members of St. John’s have made three trips to Joplin, MO and ten members are planning a trip to New Orleans the end of January and a possible Minot trip this spring.
We have partnered with three other churches in operating these trips and there is a plan to better coordinate these trips in the future. There are currently 33 members of REACT and we welcome more. No skills are required as there are jobs that fit any skill set. We have another training session set for this January.
After two years of experience with REACT it has become evident that this is a “giving-fellowship.” While we offer help to those in need we also experience wonderful fellowship within the group and as always we receive more than we give.
For more information about REACT, check our bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall and sign up. We will get in touch with you.
