Baptist Men can help tornado victims save on clean-up

The Baptist Men's free tree removal service can save homeowners money. Removing trees from a yard can cost anywhere from $100 to more than $2,500 per tree, depending on the size.

Posted 5:53 p.m. May 26, 2011 — Updated 10:38 a.m. May 27, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Volunteers with the North Carolina Baptist Men Disaster Relief are still providing free cleanup assistance to those affected by last month's tornadoes.

Since April 16, more than 10,000 volunteers with the disaster relief group have helped remove toppled trees and other vegetative debris from the yards of more than 450 homeowners, many in Wake County. The group has 265 disaster recovery trailers across the state.

"The Bible tells us to serve, and that's why we do what we do," incident commander Lin Honeycutt said.

The organization has about 75 jobs left, and Honeycutt said they are hoping to help as many storm victims as possible before the city of Raleigh wraps up its curbside pickup on June 1.

"We want them to know we are still here and still taking in jobs," he said. "But it won't last forever."

The Baptist Men's free tree removal service can save homeowners money. Removing trees from a yard can cost anywhere from $100 to more than $2,500 per tree, depending on the size.

Robert Senter, 87, said the heavy equipment and capable hands were a godsend to remove six towering pine trees that fell in the yard of his Maywood Avenue home in Raleigh.

"They are a fine group of men, Baptist men. I can't praise them enough," Senter said.

The group is part of the Southern Baptist Convention and supported by Baptist churches.

Assistance is available by calling 919-834-7911 or by registering online at www.baptistsonmission.org.

Alternatively, residents can go to Carolina Pines Baptist Church, 2655 S. Saunders St. in Raleigh, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday or from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The state Department of Transportation will also collect debris from the tornadoes along state-maintained roads in Johnston County until May 31 and in Wake County until June 15.

Vegetation, building materials and furniture should be separated and cut into 5- or 6-foot pieces, if possible. Debris should be placed on the shoulder and out of the roadway. Hazardous materials and major appliances won't be picked up.

Wake County crews will collect storm debris placed along private roads and in subdivisions until June 4. Residents should have the debris by the road by May 31.

Wake County residents can haul their construction debris to any of 11 disposal sites: