AMS’, DOM’s, Team Leaders and Secretaries,
I am grateful for all the work you and your volunteers are doing in these crazy unknown days.
WHAT I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU NOW IS THE BIGGEST “ASK” THAT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE IN MY 4 ½ YEARS OF SERVING TBDR. THIS “ASK” CURRENTLY IS RELATED TO THOSE OF YOU IN THE NASHVILLE AND SURROUNDING ASSOCIATIONS. Let this also serve to share with all teams of what may be coming down the pipeline in other areas as well and let it serve to draw us to prayer and ask ourselves the question, “Can I and will I serve if I am needed?”
LET ME SAY THAT THERE IS RISK IN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO. WHILE WE WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO MINIMIZE THIS RISK, THERE WILL BE A CHANCE OF CONTRACTING THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND AS YOU KNOW, THIS VIRUS HAS THE ABILITY TO KILL.
We have been contacted by the Mayor of Nashville’s office to see if we would have volunteers that would be willing to assist in the operation of a facility they are setting up here in Nashville to take care of the homeless population that has tested POSITIVE for the COVID-19 VIRUS.
We need volunteers to man the operation 24/7. At the beginning it may only take one person a shift however, if the numbers grow, we will need volunteers at a ratio of about 1 to 6.
What we are being asked to do is somewhat like a shelter that takes place during a disaster, except we will be helping operate the facility which will be overseen by the Health Department and will have a nurse, EMT and police on hand. My current best description of what our volunteers would be doing would be to provide for the needs of the clients to make sure they have food, drinks and other necessities and to make sure there are no issues among the clients that need to be dealt with, and to be a source of interaction as far a conversation. You will not have to clean the showers or laundry as they have hired outside vendors to take care of that.
To do this, you will have to follow ALL necessary protocols to keep yourself safe. You will have to learn to put on and take off PPE’s in a safe manner. You will have to take care to decontaminate yourself. You may also have to do some online training regarding the operation of a shelter.
- I ask you to pray about this. (talk to your loved ones as well)
- Make sure you understand the possible risk and are willing to take that risk.
- If you are feeling lead to participate in this need, please contact me directly with your name, contact numbers, email and how much you would be available.wjones@tnbaptist.org
What an opportunity this would be to share the Love of Christ to those who will likely be going through a very difficult time.
In Christ Serving Together,
Wes Jones