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Dear friends in Christ,
I would like to share with you a report from Melanie Josephson, our
Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator for Minnesota. Her report is a
reminder that we Lutherans continue to respond to many of the'98 disasters.
You can help continue the response "for the long haul" by your
contributions to
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
LCMS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Thanks to all for your on-going prayers, support, and volunteering.
Gil Furst
*** Original (but possibly edited) note follows ***
MELANIE JOSEPHSON Jan. 08, 1999 at 14:26 Eastern (3270 characters)
The Christmas holidays have come and gone, but we wanted to share with you
some of the joy that so many of you have helped to make possible. I was in
awe as I read the list of thirty disasters to which LDR has responded in
1998. The tornado that ripped through Southern Minnesota on March 29th is
one in the midst of these. As the media moves on to the next story, it is
so easy to think that these people who have suffered have been forgotten.
To be one of many may lead to thinking that one is insignificant. That is
the message that LDR has worked to counter in all of its recovery efforts.
"You are not forgotten despite the many other disasters" rang through loud
and clear in the two LDR/LSS holiday programs of Yuletide Presence and
Yuletide Presents.
By the time the last dinner happens in Hanska in early Jan., over 1000
people in St. Peter, Comfrey, Nobles County and LeCenter will have enjoyed
an evening of a delicious holiday meal, entertainment, toy filled stockings
and gifts for the children and the gift of fellowship with one another. In
addition, greetings were extended from our pastors and on behalf of Rev.
Gil Furst and LDR. Each family was given a blue stained glass dove as a
reminder that God does not forget them and is at work to restore and
bring about continued peace in their lives.
Through Yuletide Presents, over 200 of some of the neediest families were
matched with sponsors who bought special Christmas gifts and sent messages
of encouragement to each family. This program also shared the message of
joy and the reminder that those who have been affected are not alone in
their recovery.
Since March 29th, more than 2000 volunteers have provided over 12,000 hours
of volunteer assistance in Southern Minnesota. St. Peter, LeCenter and
Comfrey offices have provided services to over 1000 families affected by
the storm and are currently working with @250 households. In addition to
providing volunteer coordination, resource coordination and many special
programs, direct financial assistance to families has exceeded $175,000.
335 children attended one of the 7 weeks of Camp Noah, a day camp to assist
children in their recovery. Another fifty youth met for a weekly recovery
project call Nehemiah.
This ministry has been made possible due to the leadership and support of
Lutheran Disaster Response, the many generous contributions by the local
Aid Association for Lutheran and Lutheran Brotherhood branches, Orphan
Grain Train, our Lutheran congregations, synod staff, grants from the State
of MN, corporations and foundations, and the generous support of
individuals from all over the region. We wish to extend our deepest
appreciation from our agency and on behalf of those who have been affected
by the disaster. We extend special appreciation to Ms. Johanna Olson for
her support and to Rev. Gil Furst, who, in an unsurpassed disaster year,
has provided the leadership, grace and compassion that are the foundation
for all that we do.
We will post a 1998 progress report for the LDR/LSS of MN flood recovery
work in February.
Melanie Josephson, Lutheran Disaster Response of Minnesota
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
2485 Como Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108, Phone 1-800-987-0061
*** End of original note ***
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Mon, Jan 11, 1999, at 9:56 am)
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society),
Lutheran Disaster Response (A cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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