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To: [log in to unmask] LEON PHILLIPS Nov. 16, 1997 at 17:21 Eastern (1980 characters) Almost 100 families in Grand Forks (ND) and another 90 families in East Grand Forks( MN) are on Lutheran Disaster Response's "waiting list" for help in repairing their homes. Whether they can get back in their homes over the coming months depends on the availability of volunteers. The long list of people waiting for help was only one of the urgent needs reported at a planning meeting this week of state coordinators and social ministry executives from North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. In South Dakota there are homes still unable to pump water out of their basements because of the high water table, reported Rose Korman, S.D. state LDR/LSS coordinator. More than 400 farm family members in Central South Dakota are still making use of the Food Bank there, and LDR/LSS is trucking in food. Response leaders from all three states reported that plans are well underway for Christmas dinners and celebrations throughout the flood area. Contributions to help defray costs of the dinners are being sought, as well as volunteers to serve them and contributions of gifts for all ages. A total of 21,000 people will be invited to the dinners and celebrations, which will be held at more than thirty separate sites, including the Devils Lake, ND, reservation. "We need help through these long winter months," we heard. Help to repair homes. Help to send a message of care and hope at Christmas time. Help to renew lives and lift spirits. If you can help.... to volunteer or to contribute to the Christmas project, call 800-987-0061. To help support the Upper Midwest Disaster Response ministry: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response/ PO BOX 71764/ Chicago, IL 60694. LEON PHILLIPS 4:54 pm Sun, Nov 16, 1997 Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response( Division for Church in Society), Lutheran Disaster Response ( a cooperative ministry of ELCA and LCMS) Phone: 610-776-8390 FAX: 610-776-8392 e-mail:[log in to unmask] WEBSITE http://www.elca.org/dcs/disaster