Yesterday's flooding in Kanawha County meant no school for 7-year-old Clay Wills of Sissonville. So, he spent part of his day helping get flood buckets to folks who are cleaning up from high water. 

The buckets are put together by local United Methodist Churches to help people affected by disaster.  They contain cleaning supplies, latex gloves, insect repellant and other items. 

Clay and his mother, Tammy, attend Humphreys United Methodist Church in Sissonville and were on their way home Monday evening when they saw their community struggling with high water. “I saw what was happening, couldn’t believe how bad it was,” said Wills. “My first thought was how to help.”

Wills attends Humphreys United Methodist Church with Rhondell Miller, who serves as the church's representative on the Pocatalico Cooperative Parish. Revs. Brad and Stephanie Bennett, co-pastors of Aldersgate United Methodist, just down the road are also part of the parish.

The parish structure within Annual Conferences allows churches to work together to help communities.

“The flooding literally happened between our two churches,” said Rev. Brad Bennett. “We knew we had to do what we could.”

The group loaded about 50 buckets into trucks from the offices of Community Development Outreach Ministries, one of seven WV Conference Mission Projects. “The United Methodist connection really worked,” said CDOM director, Rev. Luana Cook Scott. “It’s a great example of how it can work and help people.”

A list of items to be included in flood buckets can be found on the United Methodist Committee on Relief 's (UMCOR) website.  Call Rev. Luana Cook Scott at Community Development Outreach Ministries for more informatation: 304-342-0029.

Photo:  Clay Wills, 7, loads flood buckets to be taken to the Sissonville area after Monday night's flooding. 
Photo: Laura Allen, WV Conference, United Methodist Church.