May 23, 2007
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Nearly two years have passed since we experienced together the most
devastating hurricane season on record. In the time that has passed,
thousands of faithful volunteers have given of themselves to help their
neighbors in need. Volunteerism is vital for living out the mission of
Lutheran Disaster Response. We have coordinated over 1.3 million hours
of volunteer service along the Gulf Coast. Thank you for your selfless
service to the thousands of survivors assisted. They have been faced
with overwhelming destruction and chaos. Your help has brought to them
a renewed sense of hope. Healing is taking place.
Following the unprecedented destruction of the 2005 hurricanes,
Lutheran Disaster Response, in partnership with its local affiliates and
congregations, established several temporary volunteer “camps” in
locations along the Gulf Coast. In previous responses, volunteers were
relatively self-sufficient, arranging their own housing and meals.
Given the widespread destruction after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, this
sort of self-sufficiency simply was not possible.
Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to the long-term recovery of
the Gulf Coast over the years to come, and a key transition in our
operations will be taking place to ensure this goal. As communities
along the coast continue to rebuild, many areas have recovered enough to
assume the role of providing hospitality to incoming volunteer teams.
As an avenue of further empowering and equipping these communities, LDR
will pass on the role of providing hospitality for volunteers to local
congregations, organizations, and businesses.
Several of the existing camps may remain open, through partnerships
between congregations and local recovery organizations, housing and
feeding volunteer crews for a nominal fee. Information about these
sites will be provided to prospective volunteers so that they can be
connected to and support local congregations during their time on the
coast. Volunteers are also welcome to stay in motels or campgrounds.
Links for all such options will be available on the Web at
www.ldr.org/volunteer.
Most importantly, please understand that this transition does not mark
the end of our response to the 2005 hurricanes. Rather, in accordance
with our mission to provide long-term holistic support for disaster
survivors, we will continue to coordinate volunteer assistance in the
rebuilding of this devastated region. This transition will allow
volunteers to support rebuilding communities, will further the impact of
donated monies, and will extend the crucial work of Lutheran Disaster
Response along the Gulf Coast for years to come.
In service,
Heather L. Feltman
Executive Director, Lutheran Disaster Response
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response
Bringing Help and Hope...
Phone: 773-380-2748
Fax: 773-380-2493
Visit us on the Web at www.ldr.org
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