South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers from 14 associations responded to a Feb. 6 tornado that touched down in Spartanburg.

Chainsaw and mud-out units assisted in cleanup efforts, completing more than 27 jobs. Spartanburg County Baptist Network partnered with SCBDR in coordinating the response. Several units made multiple trips to serve for the day.

Highest priority jobs were trees on roofs or blocking driveways. After those were completed, DR volunteers also worked to clear trees downed on fences and in yards.

One volunteer shared, “I went today because I like to cut trees, but what I will remember most is how God allowed us to minister and plant a seed with an unexpecting neighbor. I found out just before we left that removing the tree from his yard saved him $2500. The family has two special needs children that he asked us to pray for, and I did right on the spot. They had not had a good experience with a past church accepting them due to their special needs, so while the day started off to help someone with their trees, God had other plans for me and this special family.”

In addition to clearing tornado debris in Spartanburg, teams were asked to assist with mud-out jobs in Easley and with chainsaw work in Anderson.

Associations represented included Spartanburg County, Beaverdam, Columbia Metro, Laurens, Broad River, Union, York, Saluda, Kershaw, Williamsburg, Ridge, Lexington, Greenville, Pickens-Twelve Mile, Chester and Aiken.