For Immediate Release:
September 2, 2005
Senator Coffee Applauds Local Church for Relief
Efforts
Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said he was extremely
proud of one Oklahoma church’s efforts to directly assist victims
of Katrina. Victory Church in Norman was making its shelter ministry
in Oklahoma City available to evacuees. As of mid-afternoon, the shelter
at 1900 N.E. 36th Street was already providing housing to some two dozen
evacuees and was preparing for the arrival of more than 80 additional
refugees later in the day.
“I understand that they can accommodate about 100 people there,
so they’ll be full after this new busload arrives. At that point
they’ll be helping get evacuees to their sister ministry, Resurrection
Life Church in Yukon. Between the two locations they’ll be able
to accommodate about 250 people,” Coffee said.
Coffee said that according to Victory Church Pastor Fred Sellers, their
Oklahoma City shelter has plenty of supplies on hand, but the Yukon
ministry would likely need more. Sellers told Coffee that the things
they would need the most included diapers, personal hygiene items, blankets,
clothing and cash donations for other expenditures.
“It looks like between the two facilities, the utility bills to
cover the cost of housing the evacuees will be about $15 thousand a
month. They’re asking area churches to take up a second offering
this Sunday to help care for these individuals,” Coffee said.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, has called
on churches and their parishioners throughout the country to help by
taking in refugees.
“I saw it on TV and thought that was really a great idea. If every
church took action we could really make a tremendous difference in the
lives of thousands who have become homeless because of Katrina,”
Coffee said. “It’s really no surprise that Victory Church
and so many others across the state have already started pitching in
to help. I’m extremely proud of the work that these churches are
doing to help our fellow Americans in this time of crisis”
For more information, contact Pastor Fred Sellers at 405-364-1510.
For
more information contact:
Senate Communication's
Office - (405) 521-5774