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BOWIE ? Pete Saderholm, a member of St. Matthew's UMC who leads Volunteers in Mission trips, has a message for all those who take similar trips in the United States.

LINDA WORTHINGTON/UMCONNECTION

Pete Saderholm is an advocate for the use of the conference disaster response van. ?Use it,? he urges.

He wants group leaders to know that the Baltimore-Washington Conference has a truck completely outfitted with everything one needs to go in and begin the cleanup process after a flood, hurricane or tornado has devastated the area.

'No one seems to know we exist,' he says.

The large van is equipped with all the basic equipment (except electrical repair) including a generator, chain saws, ice chests, cleaning supplies and tools. The middle of the van is left open enough to take volunteers' sleeping bags and back packs.

The disaster response van had its maiden voyage three years ago when the hurricane hit LaPlata. It was then put into service in the Essex area to help in recovery from Hurricane Isabel.

'Use the trailer,' Saderholm urges groups.

For more information, contact VIM coordinator Sandy Rowland at or Saderholm at .