Selma, AL – Dec. 15-21, 2024

This week in Selma, we were joined by a central Pennsylvania group of 10 volunteers led by Jason Martin. They enjoyed a week of roofing and late-night volleyball. They left Thursday evening as the work we had planned was done and the leadership team needed to get ready to close the project for Christmas break

The temperature in Selma was fall-like with low 30s at night and 60s-70s daytime highs and mostly sunny days.

We had a special guest for supper on Tuesday. Thamar Taylor grew up in Lancaster County and now lives in Selma. There was instant connection with our volunteers. You can read about her below.

The Long-Term Recovery Chairman, Jay Gilmore, and Pastor John Grayson from Tabernacle Gospel Baptist church joined us for supper on Wednesday. The folks at John’s church prepared, served and joined us in a delicious meal of chicken, beans and coleslaw. They spoke of the work of the LTR group and the state and future of Selma. They expressed words of gratitude and encouragement to our group.

Many job cards were signed-off this week after completing scheduled repairs. We finished and bid sad farewells to Rosemary (after 180 volunteer days), Adrian, Timothy, Salister, Jimmy, Vera and Tiesha.

The leadership team said many more good-byes to LTR friends, congregations and staff at many churches, Chamber of Commerce, library, other nearby businesses, and neighbors.

A new team of Leadership and Long Term volunteers arrives in early January to continue restoring hope in Selma.

Merry Christmas and all the best in 2025

Denis Sabourin, Office Manager

Thamar Taylor moved to Lancaster PA when she was 10. When she was in her mid-thirties she moved to Selma AL where she has cousins. Eventually she found a job with University of Alabama of Birmingham as a community organizer in Selma. 

Her responsibilities are varied. She is an advocate for improving the health of residents who don’t have access to regular medical opportunities. She runs a children’s after school program that encourages healthy practices. She organized a program that repaired or replaced 40 roofs of residents whose homes were under-maintained. And she is organizing the restoration of a city catfish pond.

She joined us for supper on Tuesday night to talk about her work and tornado experience. When the tornado hit Selma, she and about 30 colleagues went to the hallway on the first floor to ride it out. Their building was not damaged but adjacent properties suffered major damage. 

As soon as the all-clear was sounded, she and many of her fellow workers began distributing essential supplies to residents who had lost everything.

Our ten Lancaster County volunteers were captivated by her presentation and engaged with her after her presentation. It reminded all of us that it takes many organizations and programs to restore hope after a natural disaster. 

Don Yoder