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Dear Christian friends,
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR - a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is
beginning and continuing relief operations at many sites throughout the
country. Your help is important in meeting the urgent needs in these
places. Please consider sharing your time and skills with those who
seriously need your help.
ALABAMA
In December 2000 tornadoes struck four areas of Alabama, leaving widespread
damage, affecting hundreds of houses, and causing twelve fatalities. The
Birmingham area needs volunteers with debris removal and rebuilding.
Volunteers should have experience in house repairs. To volunteer, contact
Volunteer Coordinator Mark Lawley at the Birmingham Baptist Association
Center, at 205-251-7161.
KANSAS
On April 24 an F-4 level tornado affected Hoisington, Kansas. One person
was killed and 28 were injured. 182 homes were destroyed, 52 sustained
major damage (and not repairable), and 392 had minor damage. Volunteers
are needed for clean-up, repairs, and rebuilding. To volunteer, contact
Kate Debes (Hoisington Ministerial Association Disaster Recovery
Coordinator), at 620-653-9976.
MISSISSIPPI
On February 24 a 24.7-mile tornado affected parts of northern Mississippi.
At least five people were killed. Some 300 homes were either destroyed or
damaged. Most severely affected were the communities of
Columbus/Starkville, and Pontotoc. To volunteer in the Tupelo/Pontotoc
area, call Andy or Mandy Atkins, at 662-680-5299 (All Saints Episcopal
Church) or Terry Dufford, at 662-842-4582 (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church).
To volunteer in the Columbus area, call Rev. Don Vollenweider, at
662-244-7121.
TEXAS
In mid-June Tropical Storm Allison affected southeast Texas and southern
Louisiana, and continued through Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, North and
South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Assessment of
needs continues as I write this report. There have been 43 confirmed
deaths.
Worst hit is the Houston, Texas, area, where it is estimated that damage
will reach $4 billion. As many as 20,000 houses may be affected in both
Texas and Louisiana. To help with clean-up efforts, contact Lutheran
Social Services of the South at 713-647-9860. Further information will be
posted as this response unfolds.
WISCONSIN
On Monday evening, June 21, a category F-3 tornado (with winds up to 206
miles per hour) damaged or destroyed about 120 homes in the town of Siren,
Wisconsin. At the moment local cleanup volunteers are needed. Individuals
or groups must be self-reliant - bring your own food and water, bring work
boots and gloves, shovels, rakes, etc. Local volunteers should not plan to
eat or stay overnight in Siren. There is a volunteer staging area at the
Burnett County building on the north side of town (1 mile north of Hwy. 70
and 35). Phone: 715-349-2171 or 715-349-2173.
Please circulate this information in your churches and communities, where
appropriate. We are grateful for your interest and commitment to our
church's disaster response ministry. People in the above areas face an
enormous challenge as they rebuild their lives after a deadly and
destructive spring. Their needs are deep, but their hopes are high.
As always, your monetary contributions enable the church to be present and
supporting for immediate needs and for the long haul. They may be sent to:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster
LC-MS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Fri, Jun 22, 2001, at 4:40 pm). Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) and
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Please visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
