LAKELAND -- Firefighters and rescue workers were seen most often in news coverage of the fight against the wildfires that raged through Florida last July, but thousands of volunteers worked behind the scenes to help victims during the disaster and in its aftermath.

Florida Governor Lawton Chiles paid tribute to those volunteers, whom he called the unsung heroes of the disaster's relief efforts, during a special visit July 15 to Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach, the command post for fire relief efforts in that area. United Methodists were among those honored.

"I'm really here to thank and applaud you," Chiles said. "With the fire, with every trial, there's always something that works as a counterforce. That counterforce was this community. People helping each other, coming together --I'm so proud of that."

Nearly 40 members of Trinity, Palm Coast and DeLeon Springs United Methodist Churches; First United Methodist Church, Ormond Beach; and Stetson University's Wesley Fellowship attended. All were instrumental in feeding and housing firefighters and assisting with general relief efforts.

Bill Nelson, Florida's commissioner of insurance and fire marshal, and Volusia County's supervisor of elections were also on hand to offer their thanks and appreciation.

Chiles also visited the Seminole County Services Building Aug. 13 to thank more than 65 organizations in Seminole County that helped with relief efforts. Sanlando Springs United Methodist Church in Longwood near Orlando was one of them.

During the wildfires, the Sanlando church opened as a pet-friendly shelter for evacuees from Flagler and Brevard counties. Chiles presented the church's pastor, the Rev. Warren Langer, with a special resolution of appreciation by Seminole County for the church's contribution to relief efforts.

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 © 1998 Florida United Methodist Review Online