Community Bands Together To Help Olive Residents Impacted By Fire

Residents didn't have much time to put up a fight against the flames, and for many who did, it was a losing battle. Folks are now coming together to help their neighbors in need.

Wednesday, August 8th 2012, 7:13 pm

By: News On 6


Dozens of homes were gutted in the small community of Olive when changing winds blew the firestorm in their direction.

Residents didn't have much time to put up a fight against the flames, and for many who did, it was a losing battle.

Folks are now coming together to help their neighbors in need.

"We started Friday when the fire hit here," said volunteer Kaye Davenport.

Volunteers are working around the clock to make sure families in need have the everyday items we take for granted.

This weekend's wildfires claimed more than 60,000 aces in Creek County, leaving more than 50 families in Olive without water, food or even a place to sleep.

8/7/2012 Related Story: New Report: 209 Homes Lost In Creek County Wildfires

So, churches in the community are coming together to help.

"It's been unreal. We've had other churches just come and see what they can do," said Pastor Jeff Laughlin.

It's amazing how quickly the Olive Baptist Church was able to transform their fellowship hall into a relief area, making available men's and women's clothing, baby supplies, bedding, anything to help the people of the community start rebuilding.

"It's amazing how God's provided everything to meet the needs of these people," Laughlin said.

Help is coming from all areas, from people like Davenport and members of the Southern Baptist Relief Effort.

"Wherever we're needed that's where we go," Davenport said.

When disaster strikes, their organization is one of the first to go into the disaster zone, doing whatever they can to help displaced families with little to nothing left.

"It's so weird, because you may see three homes gone, and then the next one, so close to it, is still standing," Davenport said.

Many of those victims are without insurance, so the team in Olive is hoping to help fill the void, fueled by their faith and their desire to help their fellow Oklahomans in a time of need.

A lot of the Southern Baptist volunteers are coming here from another disaster: the wildfires in Colorado.

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