abbotsford disaster response coalition

THE MISSION

On November 23rd, a local bank in Abbotsford estimated that the economic cost of the flood will be in excess of $7.5 Billion dollars, which would be the most expensive catastrophe in Canadian history. Our mayor, Henry Braun, has indicated this rebuild will be measured in “years.” Even before the flood there was a rising concern for vulnerable populations in the Fraser Valley which includes, but is not limited to, migrant workers, indigenous communities, low income families, and [now] asset rich, money poor families and farmers who have been affected by the flood and may not be eligible for Disaster Relief Services or other forms of federal aid.


The needs are immense, the recovery will be long, and the time to act is now.


Our vision is to provide both HELP and HOPE in the name of Jesus, through the stability of a coalition of local churches. The coalition will identify and meet the unique needs or “GAPS” that other agencies and organizations are not meeting. We envision this team to still be hard at work long after many of these agencies are gone. This is our neighborhood, and we believe that God has placed us here for such a time as this. 


HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The ADRC Team met on February 15, 7:00 pm to cast the vision for this ministry and to encourage other churches to take part. Please CLICK HERE to watch the recorded presentation. 


HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for aid, please follow these three steps (in order):


STEP ONE
Please read through our Unmet Needs Assessment Guidelines by CLICKING HERE. Be sure to read this document in its entirety before applying. Not doing so may have you apply for things we cannot approve and, therefore, will result in an application rejection. 


Please note - There are THREE separate application portals for our three different "buckets" of funds. 

  1. Application 1 - Household furniture and appliances (through Leon's Furniture & Appliances)
  2. Application 2 - Outdoor incidentals such as mowers, tools, lawn furniture, and barbecues. 
  3. Application 3 - Lumber and supplies for primary houses (through Blackwood)

STEP TWO

Only after you have read the above Unmet Needs Assessment Guidelines, you are welcome to apply. Remember that this application is for flood victims in the Sumas Evacuation ORDER and ALERT zones only. 


APPLICATION FORM FOR FURNITURE & APPLIANCES


APPLICATION FORM FOR INCIDENTALS (MOWERS, BBQ's, LAWN EQUIPMENT)


APPLICATION FORM FOR LUMBER & SUPPLIES


STEP THREE

Upon completion of your application, you are all set! Please give 1-3 business days for our Program Coordinator to reach out to you for next steps. Thank you!


ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN BY OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 16th, 2023. 


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HOW TO GIVE

The ADRC has raised over $2 Million for flood response! If you would like to contribute to this ministry, please do so.

 

CLICK HERE


We are also accepting donations by:


CHEQUE - send your cheque to: 

Gateway Community Church

Attention: Abbotsford Flood Response Coalition

2885 Gladys Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3Y2


EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) - You can also make larger donations by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), please contact the office. 

MEET OUR ADRC COORDINATOR

Milt Walker - ADRC Program Coordinator

Email: adrc@gatewaycrc.org

Phone: 604-807-0671


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THANK YOU FLOOD RESPONSE MOBILIZERS!

We are incredibly grateful for the 75+ men and women who worked so hard to meet the needs of flood victims through:

  1. Donation Centre Volunteer Staff - Working in partnership with Archway Community Food Bank with distributing food, toiletries, personal hygiene products, and more to families in need. 
  2. Lodging Coordinators - Connecting displaced individuals and families to our list of available homes for short-to-mid-term lodging.
  3. Meals Ministry & Distribution - The army of men and women who made frozen and fresh meals and delivered them to displaced families and workers on the front lines.
  4. Emergency Response Teams - All of the teams who assisted farms and homes in the aftermath of the flood. 

Volunteers, you are amazing! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

OFFERING HOPE

While we will always strive to meet material needs, we also cling to the hope that we have in Jesus in the midst of this dark hour. If you, or someone you know, is searching for hope, please consider watching this message given on Sunday, November 21st (the Sunday after the flood). 


Also if you need someone to talk to or pray with, please contact the church at office@gatewaycrc.org who will get you in contact with one of our pastors. 

LOADING PLAYER…

MEET THE ADRC TEAM

  • darren bowman - chair


  • milt walker - Adrc program coordinator

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  • betty beukema - clerk & treasurer

    Betty is both the Treasurer and life-long member of Gateway. She will assist the team in keeping track of the funds.

  • monique lieuwen - Global aid network

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  • gary veeneman - diaconal MINISTRIES canada

    Gary is a member of Living Hope CRC in Abbotsford. He is also a Diaconal coach for the Deacons of the Fraser Valley Christian Reformed Churches, and is representing Diaconal Ministries Canada. Gary and his wife also volunteer at an extreme weather shelter during the winter months. Gary has a passion for helping those less fortunate in the Abbotsford community. He lives in Abbotsford with his wife Terri. They have four married children and six grand children.

  • angela groothof - new life church

    Angela is a deacon at New Life CRC. She is a chicken farmer in the Sumas Prairie. While her farm was spared from flooding, she has seen the damage it has done to many of our friends and neighbors properties and livelihoods and seeks to work together to help rebuild. 

  • john huisman - cornerstone church

    John is a member of Cornerstone CRC of Chilliwack, where he has served as a Elder. He is excited to be on the team and seeing the help and hope being done through World Renew and the ARDC. He lives in Rosedale, with his wife Jeannette. He is the Shipping Manager at Green Valley Produce Inc. located in Abbotsford.

  • john ouwerkerk - living hope

    John is a member and a deacon at Living Hope CRC. He is a retired dairy farmer and lives in Sumas Prairie with his wife, Nancy. He has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. His hobbies are golfing, curling and traveling. He volunteers at the Abbotsford Bibles for Mission store.


  • mike dykshoorn - Trinity Church

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  • peter van huizen - immanuel church (langley)

    Peter is a retired educator having served as teacher, principal and educational leader for 50 years. Currently active in refugee sponsorship and horticulture. Called to be salt and light in society with a spirit of gratitude.


  • sam wind - immanuel church (langley)

    Sam is a member of Langley Immanuel CRC since it was organized in 1986. He has served in leadership during that time including several terms on church council as chair. Sam owned and operated an insurance brokerage for 24 years serving the lower mainland specializing in farm coverage. He is now retired and continues to serve on boards including Elim Housing, Mutual Fire Ins. Co of BC, and the Bible League of Canada.

  • justin carruthers - vision & fundraising

    Justin is the lead pastor of Gateway and will seek to make partnerships with local, provincial, and ecclesiastical agencies for financial support, applying for grants. If you would like to get involved, reach him at justin@gatewaycrc.org.