January 17, 2008
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Greetings to you in this New Year! It is my sincere hope that this
year will be one of joy and peace for you. It is also my hope that this
year will be relatively calm and quiet from disasters, even as we
continually pray for those recovering from disasters in years past.
Nearly two and a half years have passed since the Gulf Coast and the
entire country experienced a natural disaster of unprecedented nature.
The immeasurable devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and
Wilma called for an equally unprecedented response. And you have
certainly responded! Lutherans from around the country continue to
bring help and hope to the affected communities in overwhelming ways.
Examples of this incredible response abound, including more than 36,000
volunteers who have given over 1.6 million hours in repairing and
rebuilding more than 10,000 homes. What an amazing witness of God’s
love!
In the coming months, two significant achievements will be celebrated
in this response. The third annual installment of the Lutheran Disaster
Response “What a Relief!” alternative spring break program will
include more than 1,100 college students, serving mostly in locations
along the Gulf Coast. Additionally, the Katrina Aid Today case
management consortium will officially conclude on March 31, with
Lutheran Disaster Response case workers having helped more than 11,000
families gain access to over $20 million in assistance. We are so very
proud of the work that Lutheran Disaster Response affiliates have
accomplished through this program, and we are honored to have been one
of nine national partners in the consortium.
The unprecedented nature of the 2005 hurricanes called for action far
different from what is normal for our organization and our many
partners. Those who have served as volunteers have witnessed this
first-hand through involvement with full-scale, Lutheran-owned volunteer
camps and recovery operations along the Gulf Coast. However, the
traditional style of response is a more collaborative concept of locally
owned and operated long-term recovery committees, a model that has
served communities historically and recently in places like Rushford,
Minnesota; Findlay, Ohio; and Northwood, North Dakota. As recovery
along the Gulf Coast reaches a phase where work must continue with
ever-diminishing resources, we are preparing, along with many of our
partner organizations, to gradually transition to this model over the
coming months.
So what is a long-term recovery committee? In short, a long-term
recovery committee is a not-for-profit organization formed as a sort of
local response headquarters. Serving on these committees, local leaders
from any and all active organizations have an opportunity to contribute
resources to a wider group and broaden their influence on community
restoration. For a Lutheran volunteer, it means working side by side
with volunteers from other faith groups and community groups, under the
umbrella of a collaborative community effort. And be assured that
support in the form of volunteer hours and financial contributions will
be needed along the Gulf Coast for many years to come.
In the spirit of support for these ongoing local initiatives, we will
soon be announcing an unprecedented appeal for additional funding.
Through your support of this new appeal, we will be able to shift our
emphasis from independent operations and begin to make key investments
in the formation and activity of local long-term recovery committees
along the Gulf Coast. When Hurricane Katrina first struck, the
generosity of the Lutheran response was overwhelming. Now we hope you
will join us in a renewed commitment to our sisters and brothers who
remain in great need.
For many, the blessing of a New Year means a fresh start, renewed
focus, and resolving for change. With your gracious support, Lutheran
Disaster Response will continue to bring help and hope to disaster
survivors throughout 2008 and beyond.
In service,
Rev. Kevin A. Massey
Acting Director
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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