Heritage Academy was threatened by the tornado and took full measures to protect students and staff alike. All were in safe places at the time the tornado was coming toward them. As it approached the campus the tornado rose up over the school and descended again a 1/2 mile beyond sparing it and everyone there from harm. God literally had His hand of protection over them! Since the school was not impacted by the storm administration went to the county Emergency Operations Center to offer the help of the school. It was readily accepted because of the incredible leadership and manpower Heritage Academy provided in the disaster recovery efforts for the ice storm that occurred on February 20-21, 2015. This time they were asked to set up, organize and operate a POD (Point of Distribution) by handing out food, water and other necessities to survivors.
The POD was set up and after two days their students were sent home for Spring Break utimately remaining there for the rest of the school year because of COVID-19. As a result Heritage Academy administration and some staff had to run the POD using volunteers from Tennessee Tech University and church groups. Survivor needs caused the POD to run for six weeks when normally most disaster POD operations end after two. This was much more challenging when their students with POD experience were not available. Another 2Serve partner, Gideon Rescue Company, gathered six volunteers and assisted for six days. Operating a POD gave many opportunities to listen to stories of survivors and to pray with and encourage them. God has used Heritage Academy to respond to more than 50 disasters since their journey began in 2005 blessing the lives of many thousands of survivors while changing the lives of their students as they were the hands and feet of Jesus.
