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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” ~ Isaiah 43:2a Our circle of prayer widens for PAHSA members in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina who were in the path of Hurricane Irma. Although the storm has passed, and recovery is underway, the hardships are far from over. Please keep these PAHSA member organizations, their residents, staff and leaders in prayer as you read the reports below: Westminster Communities of Florida Five campuses evacuated 1,500 people from all levels of care, including one 106 year old resident. Several of the evacuation sites themselves lost power. Power and communications in the home office in Orlando were restored just this week. Most residents have returned to their homes now and campus leaders are assessing and dealing with the physical damage. “Staff have been selfless and upbeat and our management team were exceptional,” wrote Roger Stevens, CEO. “We feel blessed.” Florida Presbyterian Homes There were a few downed trees and the community lost power in some places on the campus but had a generator for crucial residences. “All are safe and clean up is under way,” Executive Director John Hehn reported. Several staff members suffered damage to their homes and personal property. “Staff was incredible and stayed up for two or three nights with sporadic sleep,” wrote Pastor Barbara Booth-Jarmon. “I told them that people around the country and world were praying for us. Knowing that lifted our spirits immensely. Presbyterian Homes & Housing Foundation No one was injured at any of the 18 PHHF communities, located in Gulf Coast communities and Lakeland. Damage was confined to trees and bushes fencing panels, siding, and a few shingles here and there. As of last week, electrical power had been restored to all but 7 sites. “All things considered, we are doing very well.” Writes said Deje Wray Peterson, Executive Director. “Your concern and that of PAHSA means a great deal to us. Thank you so much.” Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina With Irma downgraded to a tropical storm, it was decided to “shelter in place” since PCSC communities were located outside the mandatory evacuation zone. All three communities were affected with some flooding and minor damage, but, staff made sure that the residents were safe. PCSC’s “children’s camps” at each location also remained open so that employees could bring their children to work. “We were so fortunate to have received only the tropical force winds rather than the brunt of the storm,” wrote Kathy Ligon, President & CEO. “Thank you so much for your thoughtful and compassionate attention.” Houston Texas: Brazos Presbyterian Homes A previous PAHSA update incorrectly reported that The Hallmark had flooded. The Hallmark was not affected. Flooding occurred only at Brazos in both the East and West Towers. The West Tower was evacuated along with the residents of the skilled nursing unit. We apologize for the error. While many residents remain in the community working to regain a sense of normalcy others have been temporarily relocated to accommodations that have the electricity, AC, TV, phone, internet and the care they need.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” ~ Isaiah 43:2a
Our circle of prayer widens for PAHSA members in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina who were in the path of Hurricane Irma. Although the storm has passed, and recovery is underway, the hardships are far from over. Please keep these PAHSA member organizations, their residents, staff and leaders in prayer as you read the reports below:
Westminster Communities of Florida Five campuses evacuated 1,500 people from all levels of care, including one 106 year old resident. Several of the evacuation sites themselves lost power. Power and communications in the home office in Orlando were restored just this week. Most residents have returned to their homes now and campus leaders are assessing and dealing with the physical damage. “Staff have been selfless and upbeat and our management team were exceptional,” wrote Roger Stevens, CEO. “We feel blessed.” Florida Presbyterian Homes There were a few downed trees and the community lost power in some places on the campus but had a generator for crucial residences. “All are safe and clean up is under way,” Executive Director John Hehn reported. Several staff members suffered damage to their homes and personal property. “Staff was incredible and stayed up for two or three nights with sporadic sleep,” wrote Pastor Barbara Booth-Jarmon. “I told them that people around the country and world were praying for us. Knowing that lifted our spirits immensely.
Presbyterian Homes & Housing Foundation No one was injured at any of the 18 PHHF communities, located in Gulf Coast communities and Lakeland. Damage was confined to trees and bushes fencing panels, siding, and a few shingles here and there. As of last week, electrical power had been restored to all but 7 sites. “All things considered, we are doing very well.” Writes said Deje Wray Peterson, Executive Director. “Your concern and that of PAHSA means a great deal to us. Thank you so much.”
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina With Irma downgraded to a tropical storm, it was decided to “shelter in place” since PCSC communities were located outside the mandatory evacuation zone. All three communities were affected with some flooding and minor damage, but, staff made sure that the residents were safe. PCSC’s “children’s camps” at each location also remained open so that employees could bring their children to work. “We were so fortunate to have received only the tropical force winds rather than the brunt of the storm,” wrote Kathy Ligon, President & CEO. “Thank you so much for your thoughtful and compassionate attention.”
Houston Texas: Brazos Presbyterian Homes A previous PAHSA update incorrectly reported that The Hallmark had flooded. The Hallmark was not affected. Flooding occurred only at Brazos in both the East and West Towers. The West Tower was evacuated along with the residents of the skilled nursing unit. We apologize for the error. While many residents remain in the community working to regain a sense of normalcy others have been temporarily relocated to accommodations that have the electricity, AC, TV, phone, internet and the care they need.