Austin Baptist Association’s
Disaster Relief Team
Brief History
Like many of the disaster relief units supporting Texas Baptist Men (TBM) Disaster Relief efforts, the Austin Baptist Association’s (ABA) disaster relief team began as a ‘manpower unit.’ Over time, members of the unit began to have a vision for doing more than just supporting other units; and decided to build a deployable laundry unit.
In March 2002, the unit was formed with 14 members dedicated to supporting TBM disaster relief units throughout the state. As a manpower pool the unit supported TBM efforts during the wildfires in Arizona, floods in Brownwood, and the hurricane aftermath in Abbeville, Louisiana.
While deployed in Abbeville, Bill Herring met a woman from North Carolina who had brought a laundry unit to the area. When he returned to Austin, he proposed to the other members that they undertake a fund raising effort to build a laundry unit for use in support of TBM. The group agreed and by July 2003 the laundry unit was ready for deployment. The unit consisted of four washers, four dryers, a tankless hot water system, portable propane tanks, and a grey-water disposal system.
The laundry unit made its maiden deployment to Goliad in support of TBM disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Claudette. Over the next few years, the unit was deployed in support of relief efforts for floods in Mission and Brownsville; wildfires in California; multiple hurricanes in Florida and Alabama; and several different locations following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
In support of disaster relief efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the ABA laundry unit was deployed a total of 93 days, washed 2,553 loads of laundry, accumulated 551 volunteer days of service, and traveled approximately 2750 miles. In addition to manning the laundry unit, members of the ABA team served with other units including the San Antonio Command and Communications unit; feeding units from San Antonio and Canyon Lake; the TBM Asset Protection unit; and the TBM damage assessment team.
In 2006 the decision was made to replace the original laundry unit with a combination shower and laundry unit. The new unit included all of the capability of the old unit and added four shower units.
The new shower/laundry unit made its maiden deployment to Hondo, TX, in July 2007 supporting relief efforts from floods in nearby D’Hanis, TX. Since then, the unit has been used in support of disaster relief efforts following floods in San Marcos, Hurricane Dolly and Hurricane Ike. It has also been used to support numerous non-disaster relief ministries throughout Central Texas including the North American Mission Board’s Power Plant program.
During the summer of 2010, the decision was made to purchase a new tow truck for the shower/laundry unit. A fund raising effort was started and enough donations were received to purchase the truck in December 2010. The 2011 Chevy one-ton, dually pickup should provide all of the towing capacity the unit will need for many years to come.
The members of the ABA disaster relief team are prepared to “offer a cold cup of water in Jesus’ name,” but we are also ready to offer a hot shower and a clean set of clothes for those in need. If you have a need for a shower or laundry unit you can contact: Bob Andrews at 512-272-9333 or the Austin Baptist Association at 512-454-2558.
In March 2002, the unit was formed with 14 members dedicated to supporting TBM disaster relief units throughout the state. As a manpower pool the unit supported TBM efforts during the wildfires in Arizona, floods in Brownwood, and the hurricane aftermath in Abbeville, Louisiana.
While deployed in Abbeville, Bill Herring met a woman from North Carolina who had brought a laundry unit to the area. When he returned to Austin, he proposed to the other members that they undertake a fund raising effort to build a laundry unit for use in support of TBM. The group agreed and by July 2003 the laundry unit was ready for deployment. The unit consisted of four washers, four dryers, a tankless hot water system, portable propane tanks, and a grey-water disposal system.
The laundry unit made its maiden deployment to Goliad in support of TBM disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Claudette. Over the next few years, the unit was deployed in support of relief efforts for floods in Mission and Brownsville; wildfires in California; multiple hurricanes in Florida and Alabama; and several different locations following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
In support of disaster relief efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the ABA laundry unit was deployed a total of 93 days, washed 2,553 loads of laundry, accumulated 551 volunteer days of service, and traveled approximately 2750 miles. In addition to manning the laundry unit, members of the ABA team served with other units including the San Antonio Command and Communications unit; feeding units from San Antonio and Canyon Lake; the TBM Asset Protection unit; and the TBM damage assessment team.
In 2006 the decision was made to replace the original laundry unit with a combination shower and laundry unit. The new unit included all of the capability of the old unit and added four shower units.
The new shower/laundry unit made its maiden deployment to Hondo, TX, in July 2007 supporting relief efforts from floods in nearby D’Hanis, TX. Since then, the unit has been used in support of disaster relief efforts following floods in San Marcos, Hurricane Dolly and Hurricane Ike. It has also been used to support numerous non-disaster relief ministries throughout Central Texas including the North American Mission Board’s Power Plant program.
During the summer of 2010, the decision was made to purchase a new tow truck for the shower/laundry unit. A fund raising effort was started and enough donations were received to purchase the truck in December 2010. The 2011 Chevy one-ton, dually pickup should provide all of the towing capacity the unit will need for many years to come.
The members of the ABA disaster relief team are prepared to “offer a cold cup of water in Jesus’ name,” but we are also ready to offer a hot shower and a clean set of clothes for those in need. If you have a need for a shower or laundry unit you can contact: Bob Andrews at 512-272-9333 or the Austin Baptist Association at 512-454-2558.