Serve the House | Serve the City | Serve the Globe – Celebration Church in Austin, TX

With focus still in Bastrop on Fire Relief, Celebration Church will be putting efforts into this coming Tuesdays National Night Out event in Bastrop!  Partnering with local Austin Churches and Bastrop Foundation Church this Tuesday will be very impactful!  We will be delivering large truck loads full of donated items that are much needed.  If you would like to join us, please

CLICK HERE

and note “National Night Out” in the Subject.

We will be sending out several groups or you can meet us in Bastrop at the event!

Here is an event you can attend tonight!  Cedar Park and Leander Emergency Services (Police and Fire Departments) are coming together to help the Police officers and Firefighters that lost their homes in recent fires.  Come on out for a BBQ fund Raiser and KiDs entertainment.  See below:

Fire Relief Update

Fire Relief is in full Swing and Celebration Church has Served in many capacities over the last couple of weeks.  Thank you all so much for your help and continued prayer for the efforts that are taking  place.  Some of our scheduled Serve events have been rescheduled due to the Celebration led Donation Warehouse and we can say that it has been an Outreach in itself!  God is moving through this disaster and relationships have been built everyday with our local community.   Here are a couple of pictures to show the magnitude of this incredible project.   Thank you to everyone for you support and help.

Get Involved… CLICK HERE

(Please note if you would like to volunteer in the Warehouse or if you would like information about going to help with efforts in Bastrop or other affected areas)

In-Kind Warehouse Sites (Open Tuesday & Thursday, 9AM-6PM)

Here is how you can SERVE:

Click VOLUNTEER FORM

Where:  610 N Austin Avenue, Georgetown (Old Albertsons – Just off of I35/Williams Dr.)

Time:  9am – 5pm

(TUESDAY & THURSDAY ONLY THIS WEEK)

What:  Assist Teams in receiving goods and organizing Warehouse.

UPDATE:

This past weekend was incredible!  With the help of many volunteer groups and our Celebration Serves Teams, we were able to organize and wrap nearly everything in the warehouse.  Big thank you to everyone that came out and served.  Moving forward, we have changed the hours of Drop Off  and for times to serve (please see above for the times).  We are noticing a slow down in the activity of donations and we are not planning on keep the warehouse for an extended period of time.  Although your help is very much needed, we want to make sure to honor your time.  Thank you once again for your heart to Serve. 

WINS:     

-Built Relationship with Foundation Christian Ministries

-Sept. 14th Delivered  $4300 of Donated Gift Cards to Foundation Church

-Identified Word of Faith (Local Church that was destroyed by the fires in Bastrop.  Celebration Church member and Builder Jimmy Jacobs is planning to rebuild.)

-We have had over 100 volunteers each day come through the Collection Warehouse to SERVE.  BIG THANKS to:

City of Georgetown, DELL, Georgetown High School, Down the Alley Bistro, First Babtist Church of Allen TX, Palm Valley Luthern Church, ADRN, DRADT,  Austin Foam Plastics, City of Round Rock Police, Chick Fil A, Starbucks, Jimmy Jacobs Custom Home Builder, Minute Man Press, RSC, Texas Disposal Systems  and many more not mentioned.  (List builds daily)

-Many affected families have come through our North Distribution Center and have received donated goods.

Here is how you can SERVE:

Click VOLUNTEER FORM

Where:  610 N Austin Avenue, Georgetown (Old Albertsons – Just off of I35/Williams Dr.)

Time:  9am – 6pm – (TUESDAY & THURSDAY ONLY THIS WEEK)

What:  Assist Teams in receiving goods and organizing Warehouse.

UPDATE:

We are just beginning Week 2 of helping Central Texas fire survivors.  Although Bastrop is the heaviest hit, there are many other areas where people have lost their homes.  At this time, we are very involved in the efforts to manage Warehouse space for donations.  As we move forward, we will continue to help find the best solutions to distribute donated items to those that need them the most.  Celebration Church has also built a strong relationship with an amazing local Church in Bastrop.  Over the next several months, it will be our goal to help Pastor Chris and Melissa Pena of Foundation Christian Ministries reach out to their local community with assistance.

WINS:

-Built Relationship with Foundation Christian Ministries

-Sept. 14th Delivered  $4300 of Donated Gift Cards to Foundation Church

-Identified Word of Faith (Local Church that was destroyed by the fires in Bastrop.  Celebration Church member and Builder Jimmy Jacobs is planning to rebuild.)

-We have had over 100 volunteers each day come through the Collection Warehouse to SERVE.  BIG THANKS to:

City of Georgetown, DELL, Georgetown High School, Down the Alley Bistro, First Babtist Church of Allen TX, Palm Valley Luthern Church, ADRN, DRADT,  Austin Foam Plastics, City of Round Rock Police, Chick Fil A, Starbucks, Jimmy Jacobs Custom Home Builder, Minute Man Press, RSC, Texas Disposal Systems  and many more not mentioned.  (List builds daily)

-Many affected families have come through our North Distribution Center and have received donated goods.

Every day you can SERVE with us.  Here is how you can SERVE today:

#1 – Distribution Center set up at 610 N Austin Avenue, Georgetown

- You can come and SERVE at anytime between 9am – 6pm (Monday-Friday), 9am – 5pm (Sat) & 12pm – 5pm (Sunday).. Be prepared to unload Trucks and Organize Donated items.  Large 18 wheeler trucks will be showing up around 1:30pm everyday.

#2 – THIS WEEK Going Out to SERVE

-We have SERVE opportunities in BASTROP.  At this time, we have 18 wheelers scheduled everyday that will be dropping off and picking up trailers at FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHURCH at 12pm.  Our mission is to work with this local church to load trucks with items donated and bring them back to the Georgetown facility to prioritize and store.

Today’s Address: 177 E Union Chapel Rd., Bastrop Updated Address will be updated on http://www.CelebrationServes.com

If you want to be a part of the Bastrop loading SERVE Team, you can meet us at the location in Bastrop or meet us at 9am each morning this week at the Georgetown Distribution Center.

We are continuing to work with organizations across Austin and even organizations that have traveled here, to provide the best relief possible to our neighbors affected by recent fires.

At this time, our biggest need is for financial contributions, you can help by giving below and partnering with us to help our neighbors!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Sign up VOLUNTEER FORM

2. DONATE – North South and Central Locations Established

North – Old Albertsons (Georgetown) – 610 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown, Tx. 78626 (ESTABLISHED and Picture Below)

South – Near William Cannon / Slaughter (NOT ESTABLISHED YET)

Central – 360 / Bee Caves (NOT ESTABLISHED YET)

Celebration Church is Partnered with ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network) which includes 68 local Churches.  Together we are planning Disaster Relief and providing Information to help families impacted by the recent Fires in Central Texas.  With Local and National support, we are mobilizing volunteers and Responding to the needs.  At this time, three Receiving/Distributing Centers are setting up to receive your donations.

Here is a list of items that you can bring (this is a general list that will be updated):

Clothing (Must be Barely Used – Preferably NEW)

Baby Items – Diapers (size 4&5), Wipes, Formula, Baby Shampoo, Car Seats

Food – Canned/Non Perishable

Other – Sleeping Bags, Blankets, Pillows, Towels, Shampoo, Body Wash, Toothpaste, Deodorant (men & women), Disposable Razors, Shaving Cream, Sanitizer, Depends Undergaments, Underwear, Trash Bags, Socks, Kennels, Pet Food

Questions or Comments:  Please email Serve@CelebrationChurchtx.com

As fires burned through the night in the Austin Area and Bastrop County, many people have been displaced and there are many in need.  Please email Serve@celebrationchurchtx.com to sign up to volunteer and stay tuned to this site for the latest information.  You will be added to our volunteer list.  Please follow @cserves on Twitter and stay tuned to this blog for the most current updates.

Current Updates 9/05/2011

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BLOG…..

* First of all, big thanks to everyone calling and emailing about stepping up to volunteer.  I can assure you that we have recieved your email and you are being added to our volunteer list.  Please keep in mind that these fires are still very serious threats and our City and County Fire Departments are still RESPONDING to the fires.  As we are in this RESPONSE mode, our response is in the RELIEF and RECOVERY part of the plan.  With our partners at ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network) we have strategically sent teams to gather information and plan the next move by analyzing the conditions and determining where and how we can help the many fire victims.  Over the next couple of days, our positions will be very established.  We have a team specifically working with gathering your volunteer information and preparing to send out teams.  We are in the PREPARATION before RELIEF mode.  Please know that you are not being overlooked.  You will recieve email updates and there will be a time very soon that your assistance will be requested.  Thank you, Derick Zwerneman (Outreach Director)

2. Email Serve@celebrationchurchtx.com if you would like to sign up to be a volunteer when they are needed.

3. Be patient. We are working with local agencies to set up systems for you to plug in to.  It is very important at this time that we work through the proper channels.

4. ITEMS THAT YOU CAN DONATE NOW -

Water, Diaper & Wipes, Baby Food, Canned Food (non-perishable items), Underwear (all ages), Socks (all ages), Trash Bags, Dog Food, Cat Food.

Drop off Location -  Celebration Church  – 1202 Rabbit Hill Trail, Georgetown, Tx

Times: TONIGHT ONLY – THRU 9pm

Tuesday 9/6  -  9am – 5pm

Wednesday 9/7 -   9am – 7pm

*Volunteers are also need to help take donations.  Please sign up by emailing serve@celebrationchurchtx.com with the time that you can work between 9am-5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday*

5. As volunteers can be utitlized, those who have emailed Serve@celebrationchurchtx.com will be notified.

Thank you,

Derick Zwerneman (Outreach Director)

<<<<< Helpful Link >>>>>

*Click on the link above for latest information about Texas fire locations*

5:15pm

*Fires continue to intensify.  **This photo was taken by James Davis (Team lead) as our team was evacuating the downtown area of Bastrop.  All firefighter volunteers are reporting to the Bastrop Convention Center and evacuees are still located at Bastrop Middle School and Ascention Church.  At this time we are working with local officials and ADRN partners to deliver 400 Cots and 800 Blankets to these locations.  Celebration team has already delivered over 400 Backpacks with essential needs to the Bastrop area.  We still have about 250 BackPacks in storage and will be sending soon.  Other areas affected by Brush Fires are Steiner Ranch, Pedernales and Pflugerville.  Our next move is to create a team that can staff the Church to receive need items for the displaced families.  If you are available to come to Celebration tomorrow morning, please email serve@celebrationchurchtx.com and state the times that you are available tomorrow from 8am-6pm.

3:30pm

*Our teams are in Bastrop beginning to build relationships with local Churches to begin relief efforts.  Joe & Amy Spikes are acting as representatives on this outreach.  Looks like Ascension Catholic Church will be a distribution point.

2:30pm

Jessica Havard and some of our team are working in the ADRN call Center today.  If you know anyone who has been affected by these fires, please have them call:

ADRN HotLine #512-331-2600

General Public #512-331-2200

1:30pm

* First of all, big thanks to everyone calling and emailing about stepping up to volunteer.  I can assure you that we have recieved your email and you are being added to our volunteer list.  Please keep in mind that these fires are still very serious threats and our City and County Fire Departments are still RESPONDING to the fires.  As we are in this RESPONSE mode, our response is in the RELIEF and RECOVERY part of the plan.  With our partners at ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network) we have strategically sent teams to gather information and plan the next move by analyzing the conditions and determining where and how we can help the many fire victims.  Over the next couple of days, our positions will be very established.  We have a team specifically working with gathering your volunteer information and preparing to send out teams.  We are in the PREPARATION before RELIEF mode.  Please know that you are not being overlooked.  You will recieve email updates and there will be a time very soon that your assistance will be requested.  Thank you, Derick Zwerneman (Outreach Director)

11:15am

* ADRN meeting is complete.  At this time there is a lot of information gathering taking place.  We have serveral key team members that are helping analyze and mobilize our next move.  Your patience is very much appreciated and you help is needed.  Here is what is going on now:

- James Davis & team are picking up BackPacks from Intelligent Logistics and headed back to Celebration to mobilize a team that will leave for Bastrop at 12:30pm.  If you would like to be on this team, please meet at the Church.  Your mission will be to assist Red Cross in the Bastrop area and reach out to gather information with the local churches.  James is team lead.

-ADRN call center is in need of volunteers to answer calls from fire victims and point them in the direction of shelter centers and help them negotiate the situation.  If have good communication skills and could work in the call center, please email serve@celebrationchurchtx.com and note in the subject CALL CENTER…

9:38am

*Art Berman is heading up Trailers and transportation for stored resources.

9:30am

*Tim Miller and Intelligent Logistics are pulling crates of Back Packs from “Back Pack to the Basics” to assist Bastrop.  We will be sending out a team to Bastrop very soon.. Please email serve@celebrationchurchtx.com to sign up.  More information to come..

9:00am

* Please be patient….At this time we do have 10 volunteers that spent the night in Smithville assisting Red Cross and team lead James Davis is assessing the information. After our 10am meeting with ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network) we will have information about how we will mobilize and continue our support.

God Bless,

Derick Zwerneman

Outreach Director

Celebration Church

FAIRWAY VILLAGE   ADOPT-A-BLOCK

After our 5th month out to this downtown location, Celebration Outreach has built relationships with residents and management!  God is up to something Big and we are impacting this community for Jesus!   Through our efforts and your support, we are able to change the Atmosphere in a positive way.   Local Fire Station #22 is even stating that the crime has decreased since last fall.  This is what it is all about!

This weekends event was Saturday Aug. 27th at 6pm – 8:30pm.  With a box full of general donations, a large jumpy castle, 300 Hot Dogs, Snow Cone machine, Face Painting, and a full on Rap concert…. Residents were treated to a Block Party like never before!  When the call is made, I cannot believe the support from or people!   All of this for the cost of the Hot Dogs!

Special Thanks to the incredible talent that came out: Mike Vargus (XL), Jesse Gomez, Dominic, and Will B … These guys are truly amazing and doing amazing work for the Lord.  We couldn’t stop singing on the way home.

Music by Will B of 88.1 KNLE … We are so blessed

“I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)”