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Local emergency responders spread compassion from Norman to Picher and beyond.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Norman has a modest sized congregation and a budget less than most middle class households. Yet in times of community distress, the call is always heard.
When disaster strikes locally or statewide, Norman resident, pastor Stanley Buckmaster, the state director of Adventist Community Services (ACS) responds immediately. When the recent call came from the small ACS affiliate in Picher, Buckmaster was ready.
Driving from Norman, Buckmaster and his wife, Carol, were met on the disaster site by FEMA officials and the Oklahoma Baptist Men association who have a collaborative relationship to help families in need. Feed The Children and the American Red Cross also supplied food, supplies and support to the area for distribution by ACS.
The couple has been delivering and distributing bedding, towels, comfort kits, diapers and baby supplies to Picher since the disaster struck. The Oklahoma Baptist Men association feeds families and relief workers fresh warm meals, while other government and non-profit organizations provide supplies and labor to the Adventist Community Service distribution site at Picher.
"It's like a campground of mission workers. These relief organizations are assembled around the disaster site, all of them with a unique function, working together" explained Joy Pelfrey of Immuno-Mycologics Inc. of Norman.
Mark and Joy Pelfrey transported a truckload of bedding from the ACS warehouse to the site last Sunday, amazed and humbled by the destruction in Picher.
Locally, the church supports several families each week with the Food and Clothes Closet operated out of the church kitchen, a room really undersized for such an important operation. Every Tuesday morning, local families are welcomed to pick up free clothes and food.
"We have wonderful families with children who are hungry and we feed them. Some want a better job, so we help them dress up for the interview, and stay warm in the winter," said Carol Buckmaster.
In most months, the families assisted outnumber the church members. Food is purchased from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma by donations received mainly from the local church.
Clothing is donated by church members and other supporters in the community.
