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‘Safe Haven’ offers hospitality to bombing victims during trial


OKLAHOMA CITY (BP)–Oklahoma City-area ministers, church groups and volunteer organizations have been called on to serve in Safe Haven, a place of hospitality and comfort for survivors and family members affected by the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Safe Haven will be operated during the closed-circuit viewing of the trial of Timothy McVeigh in Denver, slated to begin March 31.

The ministry, outlined in letters to Oklahoma City-area churches and volunteer organizations, will be located in the vicinity of the Mike Monroney Federal Aviation Administration facilities at Will Rogers World Airport.

Ministers and lay volunteers serving in Safe Haven will be required to have credentials.

Clergy experienced in providing grief management were asked to commit to a minimum of two days at the Safe Haven over the course of the trial. Volunteers were to complete a one-day training and orientation, provided by Project Heartland in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s office. The training was scheduled at First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City.

The lay volunteers may work an entire day or one five-hour shift at Safe Haven.

The volunteers will serve as hosts, greeting guests, answering phones, keeping refreshments available and tidying up the area.
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    About the Author

  • Bob Mathews