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200 Volunteers Make Baptist Camp Heavenly

September 23, 2005

By HERB BOOTH / The Dallas Morning News

Heaven.

That’s how William and Maxine Thomas of New Orleans describe Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment, which since Sept. 3 has been their home, along with about 70 other survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Located on about 500 acres of rolling Hill Country-like terrain in far south Cedar Hill, the camp started in 1945 and has become part of the city’s emergency response to help the evacuees of the devastating hurricane. About 500 Baptist churches in Dallas and Rockwall counties support the camp.

“This is like a resort. We’re treated like human beings,” Mr. Thomas said after experiencing the lawlessness that accompanied the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “It’s clean. We’ve got plenty to eat and plenty of fresh water.”

Roger Jackson, administrator at Mount Lebanon, said the camp could have housed up to 300 evacuees under its 2002 agreement with the city. He said the camp has bed space for more than 1,000.

Mr. Jackson said that with a full-time staff of 10, he had to rely on the more than 200 volunteers who offered to help at the camp.

“I think the response from the community has been enormous,” Mr. Jackson said. “We have people serving meals, an entertainment committee, people doing laundry, a lot of different things.”

Cedar Hill Fire Chief Steve Pollock agreed that volunteers were key in making the temporary housing work.

“We can handle this kind of emergency, but it’s taxing on your staff. It puts a drain on city resources,” said Chief Pollock, who serves as the city’s emergency management coordinator.

Ed Wilks is one of those volunteers. Mr. Wilks, a Lions Club member, said Mayor Rob Franke and Chief Pollock approached him about helping.

“I answered the call immediately when the city had put out a telephonic message,” said Mr. Wilks, referring to the city’s Code Red system. “I’m retired and happy to do it.”

E-mail hbooth@dallasnews.com.

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