Shelter opens at Central Baptist to aid wildfire victims

By Lauren Urtel

MELBOURNE (FBC)—With wildfires scorching fourteen counties in the state, Florida Baptists are reaching out to those displaced by the disaster.

Central Baptist Church of Melbourne was designated as a shelter May 13 at 2 p.m. and its members are prepared to house 150 to 200 people. Central is the second shelter to open in the area, taking the overflow from the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church shelter in Palm Bay that has reached its 200 capacity.

The shelter will aid persons and families evacuated from their homes by the fires currently burning in the Palm Bay and Malabar areas. 

The decision to open the church to the community was a simple one, said Central Baptist Pastor Leroy Williams.

“We have to stand behind what we teach and put feet to our faith. Disaster relief is something we support,” said Williams. “It is a humbling opportunity to help those in need and makes you see what is truly important.”

Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in response to the fires Monday, May 12. According to the governor’s office, as of that time, 16,894 acres were burned from 82 wildfires.

Fritz Wilson, director of the Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief and Recovery Department, is coordinating the Convention’s response with Duke King, regional clean-up coordinator, who is on-site managing relief efforts and response. 

“Both the State Emergency Operation Center and I were shocked that the other shelter was overflowing,” said King, a member of the Melbourne church. “We are quickly preparing to house those displaced because of smoke, fire or lack of power.”

Brevard Baptist Association has activated its disaster relief feeding volunteers and a shower unit which will provide meals to persons and families in the shelter. Currently, feeding volunteers have been scheduled for three days and are waiting to determine if additional days are needed.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross and AmeriCorps are stationed at Central Baptist and working with Florida Baptists relief efforts. There is no anticipation of activating other units or volunteers outside the Brevard Baptist Association at this point. Wilson will continue to monitor the situation and dispatch relief teams as necessary.