By Staff
Thievery causes hurricane victims suffering
Why do people steal? Why do some people think that they can just take something that belongs to someone else?
For the past three years we have been repairing houses in Escambia County that were damaged by hurricanes Ivan, Cindy, Dennis and Katrina for people who were unable to make the repairs themselves. We have spent several hundred thousands of dollars that were donated by people from all over the world. We have often been totally dependent on the labor of volunteer workers who came from all over the United States and Canada.
Within the past three weeks, two houses in Atmore that were under construction have been broken into and all of the electrical wires were stolen. Now, we will have to buy again the supplies and labor to rewire these houses, delaying completion, and causing two families to remain out of their homes for a longer period. Because funds are limited, and we now have to spend unbudgeted funds on these two projects, we may not be able to repair the home of someone else who is still living with a leaking roof, falling ceilings and rotting floors.
May the people who stole these wires get their just reward.
Sarah Atkeison
Case Manager
Disaster Recovery Ministry
Alabama-West Florida Conference United Methodist Church