Volunteers-in-Mission

Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) are one way United Methodists offer their skills and talents for Christian Service at home or abroad on short-term assignments in areas affected by disasters and hardships. A missionary movement of the United Methodist Church, VIM sends short term volunteer teams into areas of need to work on construction and spiritual formation projects. 

Visit www.umvim.info, www.umvimnej.org, or www.umcmission.org for more information, or contact:

Greg Forrester:
UNY Recovery Director
32. Church St.
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 756-7799 (Office)
(607) 345-2928

Dave Woodcock
UNY Disaster Response Coordinator
551 Sayles Street
Oneida, NY 13421
(315) 263-0153 (Cell)
(315) 363-5307 (Home)

Updates on VIM Projects

Shower Trailer Project Volunteers and donors from all over Central New York stepped up to complete an extremely unique and large-scale project. The team transformed a 44-foot semi trailer into a mobile shower facility for disaster relief volunteers. The shower trailer, completed in June 2012, was first stationed in Middleburgh in Schoharie County, NY, but will be able to travel all over the country in the wake of natural disasters.   Many supplies were generously donated, such as the tile floor donated completely by Smith’s Decorating in Oneida, NY and the trailer itself donated by CT Express in Durhamville, NY. Among the many donors are The Gorman Foundation; the Oneida Rotary Club; and many of the churches in the Upper New York Conference.   Visit www.oneidastpaulsumc.org and click on “Shower Trailer Project” to view photos of the project.

A critical need A mobile shower facility is a critical need for the Northeast. Greg Forrester, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Coordinator for the Northeast Jurisdiction said, “This is an important project and we can’t wait for it to be completed. The closest shower trailer is located in Georgia. There are none in the entire Northeast.”   In the wake of a disaster, many churches, community centers, and organizations step up to house volunteer crews. While many of these organizations can house and feed volunteers, few, if any, have the capacity to provide shower facilities. This seemingly insignificant detail can delay critical relief weeks or even months.   The main volunteer center for Hurricane Irene relief is located in Middleburgh, NY in Schoharie County. The only showers that were available to volunteers are one janitor’s closet where volunteers use a showerhead attached to the janitor’s sink and one garden hose outfitted outside.