Insights & Information

Teen organizes flood relief for former hometown

Katie Brooks

Returning from a Young Life ministry camp in Goshen, Va., Katie Brooks listened intently as news reports described the catastrophic flooding in her former hometown of Columbia, S.C.

The flooding last month dumped more than 20 inches of rain on the city and some other parts of the state, causing 19 deaths, flooding hundreds of homes and businesses, and washing out roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Many of those whose lives have been changed forever are people the East Forsyth High School student knows personally.

“I was born in Columbia and lived there until the middle of my fifth-grade year and it really bothered me to know what friends, family and others there were experiencing,” she said. “The road that I used to live on caved in and I started to send out Tweets to my friends there to see what I could do to help.”

That turned out to be organizing a supply drive run through her Radiate high school student ministry group at Triad Baptist Church.

flooded house in Columbia

Inspired by the boxes she had seen the church’s Faithful Friends senior adult ministry use around the campus to collect supplies for Crisis Control, she emailed Jared Hoots, the high school student pastor who leads Radiate, about whether she could take a similar approach with flood relief for Columbia at the church which she attends with her boyfriend, Ryan Bussell.

“I think it says a lot about her as a person that she automatically thought about ‘How we can help in a situation like this?’ ” Hoots said. “She obviously has a great deal of compassion for people and isn't afraid to make something happen.

“While she hasn’t been a part of our group for a long time (she’s been with us for about 10 months), she was still willing to stand in front of the group and make the plea for help. I could definitely see the Lord using her compassionate and willing heart to serve Him. It’s great to see a heart like that in a young person today.”

In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, Brooks said donated clothes piled up as families waited for the waters to subside so they could see their homes and assess damage. Her local contacts have helped her up to date on the needs, which include canned goods and other nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, diapers, and home goods.

“A lot of people my age go on mission trips outside the country and I think a lot of people forget about the needs we have right here in America,” she said. “It’s great to see so many people supporting me and helping me show the love of Christ in Columbia and the care we have for our neighbors.”

Want to help? Here’s how

Triad members wanting to help can bring non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, toiletries and other personal hygiene items by the church office or place them in the boxes around the campus.

Collections will end after the church’s 7 p.m. service on Wednesday, Nov. 4, so that Brooks can deliver the items in person Nov. 7 to Dreher High School — one of the community clearinghouses for flood relief.

Recovering from the Flood– Image 1 of 3

Phase 2 Shot of TBC B&W 17

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