While the availability of a simple shower and a clean load of laundry may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, in the wake of a disaster, these are powerful acts of support and compassion.  

SBDR volunteer Walter Hamilton shows us where they have the washer and drier on the trailer for the residents to use.

The services provided by The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization (SBDR) might seem small at first glance, but to the people they are helping, they are priceless. Providing basic amenities like showers and laundry is incredibly powerful when it comes to disaster recovery. In the wake of events like the flooding in Texas, where people’s homes and lives are turned upside down, these services become much more than just physical amenities; they are symbols of hope and care. These volunteers are sending a clear message to those affected: You are not alone, and we are here to help.  

“We know we are making a big difference” says one volunteer as he tells the story of the look of fear and desperation on a little girl’s face as her muddy little teddy bear was placed into a washing machine and expression of hope and joy it was returned to her fresh and clean. 

SBDR volunteer Janet Hardy was happy to be able to bring shower to our shelter to be able to help residents feel more comfortable.

This week, two SBDR teams have set up their trailers right outside The Red Cross shelter in San Jacinto, Texas. For the 39 individuals staying the night in the adjacent shelter and The Red Cross support staff, there was a great need for their services, and they received an enthusiastic welcome. 

By stationing these trailers at a Red Cross shelter, SBDR ensures that their services are integrated into the greater relief efforts in the area and are easily accessible to those who are already receiving shelter and aid from the Red Cross. This coordination helps simplify the process of getting help to those who need it most. 

For our partners, The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team, this is not just an idea it’s an act.  

In 2005, Walter Hamilton and Ronald McClure, with the support of Lake Athens Baptist Church of Henderson County Texas, set out to equip the inside of a 30-foot trailer that could be hauled to a disaster site that could provide showers and clean laundry to victims and responders of disaster. What they didn’t know was that 2 weeks after its completion, they would be on their way to help support recovery following one of the most devastating natural disasters in United States history, Hurricane Katrina. It’s a testament to how creativity and hardworking volunteers play vital roles in helping communities recover from the devastation of natural disasters.  

Fast forward almost 20 years and the work of Hamilton and McClure, and the subsequent use of their trailer following Katrina, have contributed to the broader relief effort throughout the surrounding area. And today individuals displaced by the floods in Texas reap the benefits of their skills and planning. 

Robert Carvalo and Duane Chandler rolled their 40-foot trailer in from Houston’s Clay Road Baptist Church. They have been providing showers and keeping towels clean for use in the Red Cross shelter. They know that every act of support, no matter how small, can have a profound impact. In Carvalo’s own words, “Being able to get a shower for 15 minutes, they get to forget, for a moment, what they’re going through. When they are clean, they feel like they’re on top of the world.” 

The collaboration between the American Red Cross and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization to provide showers and laundry services to shelter clients is a great example of how organizations can work together to meet both the physical and emotional needs of disaster victims. The value of their joint efforts highlights the idea that when organizations unite for a common cause, their combined impact can be significantly greater than what they might achieve independently. SBDR volunteer McClure, who ran a chainsaw team during Hurricane Katrina, says, “We get so much support from the Red Cross volunteers. Seems like they know we’re hungry or thirsty before we even do, and they jump up to bring us food and drinks. The shelter staff is fantastic.” 

Amidst the devastation and uncertainty caused by the flooding in Texas, the volunteers of The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization (SBDR) alongside The American Red Cross are providing assistance; they are providing hope and a reminder of the enduring strength of human kindness. 

Story By: Kate Walters