GBCC-Toccoa now temporary home of special needs evacuees

Evacuees from New Orleans take time to relax and fish at the lake at Georgia Baptist Conference Center-Toccoa. At the end of September up to 50 displaced persons with special needs were relocated to the center located in north Georgia.

TOCCOA - It appears the early preparations for housing Katrina evacuees at GBCC-Toccoa (the Index, Sept. 29) was a dry run at the real thing.

GBCC-Toccoa director Bill Wheeler said the conference center went back on alert with little warning Sept. 22.

It was that Thursday afternoon at the Baptist building in Atlanta, while assisting in preparing a banquet (hosted by GBCC-Toccoa) for new GBC ministers and their families, that Wheeler got word evacuees would start arriving in Toccoa that evening.

After praying with GBC Executive Director J. Robert White and Church-Minister Relations Consultant Danny Watters, Wheeler began the two-hour drive to Toccoa.

"The numbers have gone up and down, but we're remaining pretty steady at 50 evacuees," said Wheeler. "When we got the call from the Red Cross, they need rooms for folks with special needs."

On the first night 14 evacuees were placed at the center. Another 28 arrived the next day. Although evacuees may remain at the conference center no events have been cancelled, said Wheeler.

As had happened when evacuees made their stay at GBCC-Norman Park, Wheeler said that ministry has taken place between the new additions and conference attendees.

"One group on Saturday invited evacuees to join them for their worship service. On Sunday night two of our guests with cerebral palsy were among those who heard David Ring, an evangelist who also has CP, speak at a meeting held in conjunction between Andy Child's church, Ebeneezer Baptist in Toccoa, and Glad Tiding Assembly of God.

"In addition, Shannon Hayes and members of Broad River Baptist Church in Tugalo Association came Sunday night and presented a lakeside cookout for evacuees."