HOUSTON, TEXAS (ANS) -- A growing volunteer membership network known for rapid response and relieving suffering around the world, has mobilized with resources, relief sites, and aid for Hurricane Ike victims.

According to a news release obtained by ANS, Somebody Cares (SC) has relationships across the country and around the world.

However, this time the disaster they are responding to is not in some far flung part of the world, but in their own home town and the surrounding areas.

The news release stated that a church passing out bottled water and fresh clothes, a church setting up cots for displaced persons and families and the semi trailers bringing canned food and first aid kits quite possibly partnering with Somebody Cares.

The news release stated that Somebody Cares partners rode out the storm in the headquarters that were badly damaged by the storm, and then moved into the hardest-hit areas alongside the Red Cross and other first responders. Some partner churches along the main evacuation route stayed open to offer restrooms, auto assistance, water and prayer to those who fled the storm.

“Evacuation help, staging areas for relief distribution, shelters, warehouses and distribution sites were in place in the strike zones before the storm made landfall,” said SC founder and president, Doug Stringer speaking in a news release.

He added, “Ministries from as far away as Virginia and Pennsylvania, who specialize in procurement and shipping, are providing water, food, cots, and other relief supplies quickly to the areas of need.”

Stringer said in the news release, “The devastation is wide, and the needs are extensive up and down the Texas Coast and into Louisiana. But good people from all over the country are willing to help.”

Financial donations are needed to cover transportation expenses and to handle special circumstances that are uncovered as the network partners assess their communities in more detail.

Stringer said churches, organizations, and businesses wishing to assist with relief supplies or other help may contact the SC office at 713-621-1498 or e-mail SomebodyCares@Somebodycares.org 

For more information go to www.SomebodyCares.org,  where daily updates about the organization’s relief work are also available.

Jeremy Reynalds is a freelance writer and the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "The Face of Homelessness." Additional details are available at http://www.HomelessBook.com. Reynalds' upcoming book is "We All Need a Little Help." It will be released on October 3 2008. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. Tel: (505) 400-7145. Note: A higher resolution JPEG picture of Jeremy Reynalds is available on request from Dan Wooding at danjuma1@aol.com.