Jonathan Reckford is Prepared.
What are three unique items you plan to include in your Ready kit in addition to the suggested items?
We would include decks of playing cards and a Bible. I spend quiet time with the Scriptures each day, and I think it would be especially important to listen to the comfort and direction of God’s word in an emergency. Having an activity for the kids (of all ages) helps keep their minds off the emergency.
What would you say to fellow Georgians about preparing for a large-scale emergency?
Don’t assume it will never happen to you and do what you can to be prepared. I have just witnessed what a difference it made in Asia following the massive storms this fall when our staff had done some intensive disaster response training. The ability to offer immediate help was much greater than it would have been if people were not prepared. I would urge all families to take a little time to prepare for the unexpected.
Have you or a loved one experienced an emergency where a Ready kit would have come in handy?
I’ve had a couple of close calls with tornados but never a direct hit. However, I have had the sad experience of visiting the aftermath of the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and many other disasters, and a little preparation can make all the difference for the health and comfort of a family when a disaster hits.
Jonathan Reckford is chief executive officier of Habitat for Humanity International.
