LU Send Now responds to Lynchburg Flooding

While students of Liberty University spent time away from campus over summer break, the LU Send department continued in its mission to provide urgent relief to those in need by deploying teams to Redding, California, and locally in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The Carr wildfire in California and the flooding in Lynchburg caught the attention of national news as well as the LU Send department. The department reacted immediately to provide specialized aid in each natural disaster.

In an effort to help those affected by the flooding in Lynchburg in early August, Liberty opened the Residential Annex complex at the request of President Jerry Falwell to house those who were displaced. More than 50 residents sought shelter at the Annex and were provided with bedding, necessities, transportation and meal passes from Sodexo.

LU Send connected those who were displaced with organizations that could continue to provide aid for them after leaving the temporary housing at the Annex. Fortunately, many were able to return to their homes after a short time.

Across the country, a small team of four individuals led by Holly Griswold, associate director for LU Send Now, ministered to people affected by the Carr fire in Redding, California. The team provided emotional support to those who had lost their homes by teaming up with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

In the past, LU Send primarily trained students for trips that involved humanitarian work, but Griswold said that a new program focused on psychological and spiritual aid is taking shape this coming year. The LU Send Now trip to provide relief in California was the first student trip following the debut of the psychological and spiritual training, according to Griswold.

“Whether in evil, or good, or accidents, or natural disaster, no matter what, there is an opportunity for hope in devastation,” Griswold said.