Welcome to Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief
Thank you for partnering with Samaritan’s Purse as we minister to a community whose church was damaged during a recent fire. Volunteers should be prepared for hard manual labor including debris removal and salvaging items. Far beyond the physical help you will extend to this church family, the spiritual and emotional support you offer to them is even more important. We hope your volunteer experience is rewarding and life-changing.
Included in this Pre-Trip Information you will find Samaritan’s Purse Policies. Following this information you will find the youth volunteer forms. If you have youth on your team please provide each youth team member with a copy of these forms.
Youth group leaders will also complete the Youth Covenant, this should be turned in with Youth paperwork on-site.
Please have all adult and youth volunteers complete their forms and submit them back to Samaritan’s Purse through email prior to volunteering. Youth volunteers will also need to bring the attached Youth Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability. These forms require a parent signature. If the parent will not accompany the youth, the parent signature should be notarized.
Location: Briar Creek Community Church
1451 Briar Creek Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
828-773-6518
Program Manager – Wayne Shoemaker
Volunteering: Plan to work all day. At this time we plan to have volunteers work Wednesday July 29 through August 5, 2015. If you have questions about scheduling a time to serve please contact our office at 828-262-1980 Ext. 1827.
Daily Schedule
(Monday – Saturday)
7:30 AM – Morning
Check In & Orientation
12:30 PM - Lunch
4:30 PM – Work Day Ends
What To Wear – Samaritan’s Purse will provide a T-shirt upon arrival. Please wear work clothes, sturdy work boots or shoes with thick soles.
What To Bring – Work gloves, safety glasses and a hat. Samaritan’s Purse provides all the tools needed for this site.
Transportation – Volunteers must provide their own transportation to the work site.
Lunch – Will be provided on site for volunteers, as well as snacks and water.
Samaritan’s Purse Volunteer Policies
Volunteers are expected to follow Samaritan’s Purse policies at all times. Our policies will be discussed during your orientation.
Ø Volunteer Criminal History [Day Volunteer] – As an organization, Samaritan’s Purse believes individuals previously convicted of criminal acts can be fully restored through the work of Christ in their life. We also strive to be good stewards of our resources and diligent in our concern for the safety and security of all volunteers, homeowners, staff, and resources affiliated with the ministry. Therefore, volunteer applicants who have been convicted of crimes against minors or sexual offenses are prohibited from volunteering on any North American Ministry project.
Ø Age Requirements & Forms – Team members must be 14 years of age or older at the time they serve. If 14 or 15 years old, a parent/legal guardian/grandparent must work with the child on site (unless they are part of a Youth Group). Team members 16 or 17 years of age need either a parent/legal guardian/grandparent present or an assigned adult chaperone who is 21 years of age or older from their team (unless they are part of a Youth Group). Each youth must have at least one parent/legal guardian sign a Youth Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability form. If the parent/legal guardian will not be accompanying his/her child, the parent/legal guardian signature must be notarized. A youth who arrives on site without this form will be sent home at his/her own expense. If a youth is serving as part of your team, please consult our staff for a copy of our Youth Policy for further details.
Ø Alcohol, Illegal Drugs & Tobacco – We ask that you do not use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes), alcohol, or drugs while serving with Samaritan’s Purse. These products or their use are not permitted at the volunteer housing site, in Samaritan’s Purse vehicles, or within the homes or neighborhood of families being served by Samaritan’s Purse. Those who cannot abide by this policy should not go and will be asked to leave.
Ø Clothing – While at the worksite, wear appropriate work clothes (typically long pants), sturdy work shoes/boots, and safety equipment as directed by the Program Manager at your site. Rubber boots are recommended for flood responses. Flip flops, sandals, or open-toed shoes may not be worn at your work site. Volunteers should not wear tight or revealing clothing such as halter tops, bare midriff separates, short shorts or clothing with immodest images or wording that is dishonoring to Christ. Volunteers must be fully dressed and wearing shoes when leaving the shower trailer and sleeping quarters. They should change clothes in bathroom stalls or shower stalls.
Ø Language – Please do not use foul language or tell unclean jokes.
Ø Pets – Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.
Ø Safety – Your safety is very important. Samaritan’s Purse Staff will have an orientation and safety briefing with you soon after your arrival.
· Know your limitations, take frequent breaks, and always remember to keep hydrated.
· Be aware of your surroundings. Whenever off church property walk with a buddy or group.
· Youth should never be left alone at a work site or be allowed to leave the site without parent/legal guardian/grandparent/chaperone/youth leader.
· Adults must never be alone with an individual youth, unless the adult is a family member of the youth. This applies to all volunteers, Samaritan’s Purse staff, host church staff, host church members, homeowners, etc.
· While on the worksites, please be sure to wear appropriate work clothes, work boots/shoes with thick soles, hat or cap, sun block and insect repellant.
· Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will be provided. Volunteers are expected to wear safety equipment as directed.
· Each team member should be current on their Tetanus Vaccination.
· Report all injuries immediately to the Construction Supervisor or the Program Manager.
· Youth ages 14 & 15 are allowed to participate in the following activities only: cleaning and polishing equipment/vehicles, clearing lots, debris removal, waterproofing foundations, painting, landscaping and site clean-up, gift bag preparation, folding t-shirts, restocking vehicles with t-shirts and Bibles, office clerical work, and other similar tasks.
· Youth ages 16 & 17 are permitted to participate in general construction tasks which may include working on a short ladder indoors.
· Youth are never permitted to work standing on a window sill, outdoor ladder, scaffolding or similar equipment, use power tools or machines (electric or gas), operate motor vehicles, be an outside helper on a motor vehicle or do any work on or about a roof.
· Samaritan’s Purse is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We ask that valuables be left at home and recommend that you do not store valuables in a parked vehicle.