Title: Lutherans Assess Damage and Provide Aid in Kansas
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 2, 2001

LUTHERANS ASSESS DAMAGE AND PROVIDE AID IN KANSAS
01-108-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Staff of Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is assessing damage left behind by a
tornado in Hoisington, Kan., April 21.  One person was killed and 28
were injured.
     "Preliminary assessment indicates that 182 homes were destroyed,
52 others sustained major damage that is not repairable, and 392 had
minor damage" in Hoisington, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director,
Lutheran Disaster Response.  He said ELCA and LCMS church facilities
there sustained minor damage.
     "An initial $10,000 grant has been provided by Lutheran Disaster
Response to assist with emergency needs, cleanup and initial recovery
efforts," said Furst.
     Staff of Lutheran Social Services of Kansas/Oklahoma, Wichita,
Kan., is managing Lutheran Disaster Response relief efforts.  The Rev.
Charles H. Maahs, bishop of the ELCA Central States Synod, Shawnee
Mission, Kan., and the Rev. Rocky Mease, chaplain, LCMS Kansas District,
are providing pastoral care and support, Furst said.
     "Local volunteers are being used to provide initial cleanup
efforts," Furst said.
     "A local steering committee [made up] of area Lutheran pastors and
insurance company representatives" is participating in recovery efforts,
said Furst. Representatives of Aid Association for Lutherans, a
fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis., and Lutheran
Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization based in Minneapolis, are
also participating.
     "Your prayers for the safety and well-being of those affected are
important," Furst said.  He added that donations "help the church
respond, letting the disaster survivors know they are not alone, that
God still loves them and God's people will offer help and hope."
-- -- --
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands, please include:

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL  60694-1764
800-638-3522

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html