Reach Beyond's 'Bucket Brigade' Campaign to Help 2,500 Break Ebola Infection Cycle in Sierra Leone

Families Isolated in Quarantine or High-risk Remote Areas Receive Life-saving Supplies through 'Bucket Brigade'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 5, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Reach Beyond's "Bucket Brigade" campaign, which provides life-sustaining food and supplies to families in quarantine or isolated areas, is helping break the insidious cycle of Ebola infection in parts of Sierra Leone, where the disease still rages.

Photo: "Bucket Brigade" volunteers in Sierra Leone assemble food and valuable supplies that can sustain a family of five in isolation or quarantine during the Ebola epidemic, thereby reducing exposure and transmission of the virus.

The effort is coordinated with the Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN), a radio ministry launched by Ransford Wright in West Africa, to help break the transmission of the disease and provide for those who are in isolation by bringing supplies to 2,500 people by March 31.

There is still no cure for Ebola, so prevention and early care are key. Families and at-risk groups in quarantined areas have no access to food, clean water or disinfectants - all necessary to fighting the disease and preventing malnutrition.

"These simple items may be the difference between life and death for thousands of people in Sierra Leone," said Wayne Pederson, president, Reach Beyond. "Every bucket delivered is given in Jesus' name, sharing His love at a time when those in the most ravaged areas are desperate for physical help and spiritual hope."

Pederson said every $100 gives a five-member family life-sustaining food and supplies to survive for up to four weeks in isolation. Every bucket provides physical help and spiritual hope to those in need. The buckets contain food, soap, gloves, bleach and other vital supplies.

The World Health Organization has reported there have been 22,000 cases and 8,800 Ebola deaths in West Africa. The virus has sickened more than 800 health workers and killed more than 400 - a massive total for a region that has few hospitals, doctors and nurses.

"The Bucket Brigade is one of the best ways to try to get out in front of the Ebola virus. The outbreak has been unprecedented, and containment is the best way to stop the spread of the disease - it is invaluable to help bring this to an end," said Sheila Leech, vice president of global healthcare.

Donations can be sent through the Bucket Brigade website www.reachbeyond.org/ebola, by calling 1-800-873-4859 or by mailing Reach Beyond at 1065 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80907-3405.

As an additional gift, those who donate of $35 or more will receive a free "Make Ebola Kick the Bucket" T-shirt.

The campaign also helps people spread the word through a special toolkit that includes images, icons, posters, badges and more. Churches and other organizations can create Facebook pages, church bulletin announcements and other items by going to the website and clicking the "Download the Tools" button.

For 83 years the passion of Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global) (www.reachbeyond.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education and working with partners around the world, Reach Beyond has ministries in more than 100 countries. Together with partners, the gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.