In response to the fires and fire victims in the Austin and surrounding areas, we will try to keep you informed of volunteer opportunities and needs in these communities.

The Austin Disaster Relief Network is a Christian Organization that is currently in need of some volunteer help.  The vision of ADRN is to serve Christ by establishing a church network within Greater Austin that will meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of those affected by disaster.  Point of Grace has some affiliation with ADRN, so we are passing on the information below to anyone that would like to help out.  Some of the volunteer needs require some ADRN previous training, but many of the opportunities do not, so please take a look at the below information if you are available to meet some tangible needs.  Shelter workers, warehouse workers, and Admin. assistant help are all needed at this time.  Their web site is http://www.austindisasterreliefnetwork.org/.

Item donations are also needed and are being collected in various locations around the city.  Locally, in Pflugerville, the Boy Scouts are collecting donations at the First Baptist Church of Pflugerville Food Pantry, next to 801 Pecan St, on Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and again on Thursday evening in the parking lot at Pfluger St and 10th St. 
Items needed are:

• personal hygiene items
• ladies and children undergarments
• Tylenol and Advil
• cases of water
• cases of Gatorade
• fruit
• deli meat
• bread and condiments
• individual snacks
• lip balm
• eye drops
• saline solution
• diapers
• wipes (baby wipes and handi-wipes)
• gauze
• bandages
• toothbrush kits
• first aid kits
• dog biscuits
• hydrogen peroxide
• cotton swabs
• toilet paper

Monetary Donations are also needed and can be given to various agencies like the Red Cross or ADRN.  Point of Grace is also collecting monetary donations and will send them to  Lutheran Social Services (LSS) through the LCMS Texas District Office in Austin.  100% of your donations will go to the fire victims.  If donating by check please put "fire victims" in the memo so it will be designated accordingly.

As the fires get under control and more needs become evident, we will keep you updated on ways to serve and help. 

We are all deployed into our communities and deployed into the lives of people that we personally know that have been affected by the fires. We have tremendous opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus during this time of disaster. 

Please pray for the victims and circumstances and be available to where God may want you to serve and how He wants to use you!