You don’t have to be United Methodist to appreciate the new billboard on I-75 in Ooltewah near the Bonny Oaks exit ... but if you are United Methodist, you ought to be proud. 

United Methodist Communications paid $5,790 to erect a billboard displaying a hopeful message with an invitation for motorists on the well-traveled stretch in Hamilton County. The billboard is a response to ongoing clean-up efforts after Feb. 29 to March 2 storms that left five Holston counties in disaster states.

“Sometimes prayer brings miracles … Other times, it brings helping hands,” the billboard declares. “Volunteer at Holston.org.” (See PDF close-up.)

The billboard was posted April 3 and will stay for three months, according to Jackie Vaughan, director of impact community and media services, United Methodist Communications.

Viewers who respond by visiting Holston.org will find a “Volunteer for Disaster Response” message at the top of the web site, directing them to the http://disasterresponse.holston.org page. There, visitors will find directions for signing up for volunteer opportunities.

Holston church members are still responding to the spring storms through Early Response Teams, donating money to UMCOR, and collecting “cleaning buckets,"  said Jim Fetzer, Holston disaster response coordinator.