Volunteers prepare for increasing number of evacuees - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Volunteers prepare for increasing number of evacuees

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MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - In a Sunday morning meeting at Hope Presbyterian Church, hundreds of volunteers listened and took notes on how to work at shelters for people displaced by flooding.

Volunteer Jimmy Robinson got emotional when he talked about how working at Hope Presbyterian Church shelter has moved him.

"And these people have lost everything and it's just a humbling experience," said Robinson.

Church leaders said the training that volunteers are getting will make them more sensitive to the needs of people who have lost everything.

"They're not expecting anything in return," said Pastor Craig Strickland.  "They're not expecting to be paid.  They don't want any pay for it, they just want to serve."

Khalil Afflitto said he also wants to serve.  His family's Millington home is practically under water.  He came to the shelter at Hope Presbyterian several days ago and has been volunteering as a translator for dozens of Hispanic families staying at the shelter.

"Just the fact that they are being so hospitable to us, just a way I can pay them back by helping them with whatever they need," said Afflitto.

Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

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