Charles B. Atkins, Founder and Director of Disaster Immediate Response Team, Inc
Disaster Immediate Response Team, Inc. is a non-profit, tax exempt organization supported by donations. Disaster Immediate Response happens by having numerous ministry alliances working together. Some of our alliances include God's Pit Crew, Danville, Va.; Harvest Missions Tent Ministries, Jeffersonville, Ky; Mercy Chef Ministries, Virginia Beach, Va.; Victory Lane, Arkansas; Feed the Children, Oklahoma; ACTS, Florida; Operation Compassion, Cleveland, Tn.; Three Little Pigs, Roanoke Rapids, NC; and Family Motor Coach Association Disaster Response.
Charles has a passion for disaster relief. He has been involved with disaster relief for 10yrs. in many different areas of such as collecting, hauling, and distributing dry goods; running a relief shelter, setting-up relief sites which provide medical care, hot meals and debris clean-up. Ten years ago when we first collected disaster relief goods to send over seas, we never imagined getting to do the things we have. As time passed, God impressed upon my heart to do it differently and better. In 2004, God impressed upon my heart to respond IMMEDIATELY, not 3-5 days later. The need is still there after 3-5 days, but 5 days is a long time to have a homeless and hungry family. So, that's when we began responding immediately.
From 2004-2005, Charles and his family resided in Florida. Charles served as Director of Church of God Disaster Relief. Under his direction the Wimauma Convention Center served as a storm shelter during 3 of the 2004 hurricanes. The Convention Center also served as the hub for dry goods and relief items.
During the 2005 hurricane season, Charles spent many months on the Gulf coast working many different relief sites. He is proud to be able to say the site that he set-up in Gulfport was the first in the area. While working in Slidell. La, he worked along side Operation Blessing. After returning to Fl, Charles assisted with the rebuild of churches that had been damaged by hurricanes. He worked as a liaison between the insurance company, contractors, pastors and the churches.
Charles most recently served as Field Representative for Operation Compassion of Cleveland, Tn. After the tornadoes in Lady Lake, Fl, under Charles' direction, 2 relief sites were established. One of these sites functioned for more than 8 weeks. This site provided dry goods, hot meals, water, debris clean-up as well as rebuild.
A relief site was established in Enterprise, Al, after the devastating tornado, for 10 days. This site provided hot meals, dry goods, debris clean-up, clothing, etc.
Charles is also a Community Service Chaplain and has served as a member of local volunteer fireman..
Our goal is to be in the disaster area and functioning within 24 hrs, and in most cases we have. In order for this to happen we are in need of trained volunteers who are willing to go into a disaster area, set-up a relief camp, provide hot meals, cut down trees, remove debris and provide a listening ear and be God's hand extended. DIRT also offers training camps so those interested can be ready when the need arises.