SEPA Disaster Updates: How to help

10 months later -- Volunteers needed

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:04:51 GMT

Almost ten months have passed since Hurricane Katrina, and another
hurricane season is upon us, but the rebuilding work from the 2004 &
2005 storms is far from over. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed
to the long-term recovery of the areas affected by these disasters - a
commitment that could last as many as ten years.

You are an important part of this long-term recovery. Volunteers are
needed at our sites in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Texas. Volunteers must be 16 or older, in good health, have a good
attitude, and be willing to work hard. The conditions, especially as
summer brings high temperatures and humidity, are less than glamorous.
But the work is truly rewarding.

As the recovery effort transitions from clean-up to long-term
rebuilding, a particular need is for volunteers with a background in
construction and rebuilding, or in a particular trade. These volunteers
can coordinate and train others, perform assessments, and lead teams of
less-experienced volunteers.

If you are interested in putting together a work crew, please visit our
website at www.ldr.org/volunteer. The site lists information regarding
our ongoing operations and a section of Volunteer FAQs. Please fill out
the "Volunteer Sign-up Form" to submit contact information and
information about your work group directly to our local volunteer
coordinators. Visit today to become part of the long-term recovery
efforts.

If you cannot put together a work crew, please forward this message to
family, friends, neighbors, and members of your congregation who may be
interested.

In service,

Michael Nevergall
Associate for Program Interpretation
Lutheran Disaster Response
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
(800) 638-3522 -- ext. 2863
michael.nevergall@elca.org

Update from Jackson -- ITEMS NEEDED

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 15:46:13 GMT

Pastor Tom Kadel of Christ, Kulpsville received the following update from the disaster relief coordinator at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Jackson, MS:

Dear Tom,

It is amazing that you say the donations have picked up recently. Our receipt of supplies has dropped so low that we are in need of all items for the Distribution Center. God knows before we do!

We are processing one hundred fifty to two hundred families per day, six days a week. It appears that Christus Victor is supporting close to one thousand families from Jackson and Harrison Counties. Each week some families drop off and new ones are added. The semi trailer truck that came in last week from Chicago provided us with thirty-two pallets of food and supplies. As of yesterday, all those supplies have been used up. Further, I was advised by Jane, the Distribution Manager, that we were running out of bottled water. After reviewing the situation, I stopped the distribution of water to the general public as I need the small amount we have for our volunteer workers.

Part of our effort at the Distribution Center is getting our clients into casework. A family's need to get food and supplies from us is only a symptom of other problems. Through casework we can help them get on the road to recovery. When I consider what we are experiencing with the increase in clients, I believe we can plan on the demand for material from the Distribution Center continuing for a long time. Consider the fact that over 29,000 families live in Fema trailers here on the Mississippi coast. That represents more than 25 percent of the coast's population, and ten thousand of the trailers are in Jackson County where Christus Victor is located. Another third of our residents remain off the coast as there is no place here for them to live. Economic activity has stagnated, tax revenues are down and unemployment is high. The recovery on the Mississippi coast is going to take a long, long time!

If we are to provide water for the thousands of volunteers that will be coming in, we need to find a steady means of supply. Concerning the food and supplies for the Distribution Center, we will need help, a lot of help, in getting material for the operation. For the Christus Victor Distribution Center to remain a viable ministry your assistance is absolutely necessary.

Below is my response to your specific questions:

Household items such as pots, pans, dishes - Though we have very nice kitchen kits provided by Saudi Arabia, that supply will not last forever, so your offer is welcome. We will store them until needed.

Blankets - Not needed too much now as the weather is warming. However, we can store them until the fall when the need will undoubtedly pick up again.

A church near here closed and gave us church kitchen stuff like large cooking pots, dishes, Bibles and choir robes - Need the Bibles for Distribution Center. I am not so sure I can find a home for the large pots or dishes. Definitely not the choir robes.

We’ve been offered 9 cases of new tee shirts. They are overruns from a tee shirt company and have printing on them – mostly they are larger sizes. Can you use these for work crews? We are out of the clothing business. Too labor intensive. We have a local thrift shop, a very large and professionally run operation, that really takes care of our community. If you wish, you can bring the T-shirts down and we will donate them to the thrift store. Called "America's Thrift" they are a 501 (c) 3 and their profits support the Homes of Grace rehab centers.

My wife, Brenda, says she knows of Lois and Linda coming this weekend. We look forward to meeting them. Pennsylvania has been very good to us at Christus Victor.

In His Service,

Bob Montgomery Distribution/Food Service Coordinator Katrina Disaster Relief Christus Victor Lutheran Church 2755 Bienville Boulevard Ocean Springs, MS 39564-4304 228-860-7266

Katrina Care Needs continue

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 16:02:31 GMT

Your help is still needed on the Gulf Coast. Several truckloads of materials and several work crews from our area have gone to the area, and real needs will continue for some time.

LDRP coordinators Lois Kadel and Linda Frey are on the present work team and when they get back they will want to intensify the recruitment of work crews. The plan is to keep crews going for at least the next year. The present list of real needs includes:

Pillows
Sheets
Blankets
Feminine Hygiene products
Diapers (especially sizes 4,5, and 6 as well as “pull-ups”
Cleaning supplies including bleach, Dish and Laundry Detergent, Cleansers like Ajax and Comet
Brooms, dustpans and brushes
Shovels
Food

Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville's Katrina Care Center has a partial truck full now and plans to get another shipment down there in the very, very near future.

Items can be dropped off at Christ Lutheran any time. Look for the red brick house on the church grounds. Donations can be left in the breezeway that stands between the house and the garage. It is open 24/7.

Update: Jan. 18, 11:01 AM

Katrina Care Needs continue

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:26:22 GMT

Pillows
Sheets
Blankets
Feminine Hygiene products
Diapers (especially sizes 4,5, and 6 as well as “pull-ups”
Cleaning supplies including bleach, Dish and Laundry Detergent, Cleansers like Ajax and Comet
Brooms, dustpans and brushes
Shovels
Food

Medical volunteers needed

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 22:20:22 GMT

I received a call from Dawna Howell, the Medical Clinic
Volunteer Coordinator at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Ocean
Springs, MS. The clinic is in desperate need of doctors and nurses
immediately and at least until March 2006. Could you please put
something on MinistryLink requesting medical volunteers? Dawna can be
reached at 228-596-5118.

Thanks for your time.

Linda Frey
LDRP

Musical instruments needed

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 22:05:09 GMT

Friends,

Got a clarinet collecting dust in an attic?

Need to clear closet space taken up by an unused trombone?

Still hanging on to that undersized violin from your grade school days?

Gulf Coast hurricanes left musicians and music students empty-handed.
Many professional musicians lost the tools of their livelihoods.

The St John's, Ambler, Hurricane Recovery Mission Team is headed for Bethel Lutheran in Biloxi, MIssissippi, for the week of Thanksgiving.
We're taking a ministry of the fine arts, including donated musical instruments for hurricane victims.

Can you and your congregation help beef up the inventory of band and orchestra instruments?
You donate, we deliver.

If you have instruments to donate, please give a call or email to
Nancy Gross at 215-887-6546 / nsg@dca.net
or Pastor Sandra Ellis-Killian 215-576-8008 / se-k@alethia.org

(Reminder: Donations of tangible property are tax deductible to the full extent of the law for those who itemize.)

Thanks, and please add our mission trip to your prayers.

Urgent call for volunteers in MS

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 21:57:29 GMT

URGENT: A call for volunteers to set up a Tent City in Mississippi

Who is establishing this Tent City

Lower Susquehanna Lutheran Disaster Response Network (LSLDRN) has been given the responsibility for coordinating the establishment of a Tent City in Mississippi. The Tent City will house a rotation of disaster response volunteer teams throughout 2006.

The Ten City will be located on the property of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. The "city" will have the capacity to house between 200-400 volunteers at one time and will provide housing, meals, and respite for volunteers from across the ELCA.

What will volunteers be doing now?

Literally, volunteers will be building the Tent City from the ground up. Volunteers will be putting up tents; physically building the areas for meals, showers, and housing; taking inventory; collecting and organizing supplies; and other tasks needed to get the operation up and running.

Are specific skills required of volunteers?

Not at this time. Volunteers for this phase of disaster response need to be flexible and willing to work. Once the Tent City is operational, there will be a need for volunteers with specialized skills.

Will volunteers be working in a safe environment?

Tim Brown, a member Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, and an expert in disaster response management, has been appointed coordinator for the Tent City. Tim is committed to providing a safe environment for all volunteers.

What about transportation to Mississippi?

Volunteers must arrange their own transportation to the Gulf Coast. If driving, allow two days on each end for getting to and from Mississippi.

How long should volunteers plan to stay?

Volunteers will be going on a flexible schedule; however, for consistency LSLDRN is asking volunteers, if possible, to work five days or more in succession.

Is there training available for those thinking about volunteering?

The next training dates for Lower Susquehanna Lutheran Disaster Response Network volunteers are:

Friday, November 4
Saturday, November 12

Friday, November 18

Training is from 9-11:30 a.m. at Lutheran Social Services in York. Specific location will be announced. This training is for people going now to the Gulf Coast area and for people who may go in the future. Training does not mean a commitment to deploy. We are currently in need of volunteers to build Team Tent City at Good Shepherd Church, Biloxi, Mississippi. This operation will last through November.

How do I register for training and/or volunteer service?

Go to the LSLDRN Web site at http://lss-elca.org/Who/LSLDRN/Volunteer.html and fill out the online form. Someone will contact you after your information has been sent. How can I speak to someone directly about these volunteer opportunities?
Contact the Rev. William Snyder, Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania, at (717) 854-2450. Who/What is LSLDRN anyway?
The Lower Susquehanna Lutheran Disaster Response Network (LSLDRN), organized in 2001, is an extension and partner in the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, a combined ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Currently, LSLDRN partners include the Lower Susquehanna Synod; the three Social Ministry Organizations serving the Lower Susquehanna Valley (Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania, LUTHERCARE, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries); Lutheran Camping Corporation of South Central Pennsylvania; Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg; and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Why haven't I heard about this before now?
Disaster response efforts take time and coordination. Opportunities for volunteers will continue for months/years to come. The establishment of a Tent City is the first of many coordinated volunteer efforts. To stay up-to-date on disaster response efforts, visit the LSLDRN Web site at http://lss-elca.org/Who/LSLDRN/index.html frequently.

Last Call for St. John's Mission Trip

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 18:36:28 GMT

Friends,

All aboard!!

The St John's, Ambler, Hurricane Recovery Mission Trip last call--

THREE SEATS LEFT.
Is one of them meant for you or a member of your congregation?

We're flying down on Saturday 19 November, back again on Saturday 26 November. We'll be working in the Biloxi, Mississippi area, where some of the most severe and extensive destruction hit. Bethel Lutheran Church will be our home-- sleeping, meals, showers, devotional life.

Folks at the Southeast Synod down on the Gulf Coast tell us they are
especially grateful for people who can come for the Thanksgiving week when
relief teams are especially needed.

Got music??
Our musicians are taking their instruments for some Thanksgiving
mini-concerts for the survivors and relief workers.
We're also collecting musical instrument to donate, for those who lost
theirs in the hurricane diasaster.

Call our Team Captain, Nancy Gross at 215-887-6546 or email her
at ngs@dca.net

Please remember our group in your prayers. Of all the things we can do,
and all the power we can use, prayer is the most important.

Faithfully,
Sandra Ellis-Killian
Pastor, St John's

Mission Trip for Hurricane Relief

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 16:37:22 GMT

St John's, Ambler, is organizing a

MISSION TRIP FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

We’re going to spend Thanksgiving week at Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Mississippi

Join other volunteers from around the country in a “life changing experience”

Leaving Saturday November 19, and returning on Saturday November 26

The opportunities to live your faith will be many: Distribute supplies, work in the food pantry, tear down-clean up, and lots more.

We’re also taking a music ministry with us (Many musicians and students lost musical instruments to the hurricanes--Do you have a musical instrument to donate?)

We’ll be staying in the church (bring a sleeping bag!) Meals and showers will be provided there.

Daily devotions at 7:00 pm after a group meal “Where did you see God today?”

Final day to sign up is WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Call Nancy Gross at 215-887-6546 or email nsg@dca.net to sign up, find out how you can help, or get more information

Please Join us for a VESPER CONCERT
Help raise funds for the trip
Sunday, November 6 at 4:30 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church
24 N. Ridge Ave.
(corner of North Ridge and Race, 1 block from Butler Pike in Ambler)
Ambler PA 1900.

Gospel, Jazz, Classical....
Vocal, Strings, Winds, Organ and Ensemble

Update: Pakistan Earthquake/Guatemala Mudslides

Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:40:26 GMT

Pakistan Earthquake

A deadly earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 killed over 42,000 in Kashmir, Pakistan, according to Associated Press. The quake was felt across a wide swath of South Asia from central Afghanistan to western Bangladesh. According to the Pakistani government, it is the worst disaster in the history of the country.

The quake was centered about 60 miles northeast of Islamabad, six miles below the forest mountain of Pakistani Kashmir. That was followed by at least 22 aftershocks within 24 hours, including a 6.2 magnitude temblor.

Church World Service has been working in Pakistan and Afghanistan for many years. Church World Service is responding in Pakistan with immediate assistance to 1,600 families in Northwest Frontier Province and Azad Kashmir.

Church World Service relief efforts so far include having moved shelter kits and family food packages to Murree. Action by Churches Together has sent an update and will send an appeal to ACT members.

The ELCA will respond to this devastating disaster by providing international disaster funds upon request from implementing companion agencies, including Church World Service.

Guatemala Mudslides and Flooding

The second disaster is a mudslide in Guatemala that destroyed many villages. Many of the people affected live in remote areas.

The ELCA will provide financial assistance to people affected by this disaster in Guatemala.

I ask you to pray for families who lost their loved ones to these disasters and pray for victims who are affected physically and emotionally. I also ask you to inform ELCA congregations to help victims of these disasters by giving gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response.

Dr. Belletech Deressa
Director for International Development and Disaster

Red Cross offers Family Services Training

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 12:57:03 GMT

The Red Cross is offering an abridged Family Services training for Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 6:30-9:30PM at the Chapter office, 23rd & Chestnut Sts. This training will cover customer service and interviewing skills; basic Red Cross casework forms as well as the forms being presently used for the national response to Hurricane Katrina. Locally, after this training, you would be able to staff the Wanamaker school servicing Hurricane Katrina evacuees (if necessary), in times of local activation, these case-working skills would be used in a shelter situation to assist families in their recovery, as well as potentially responding nationally if you become available and wish to deploy.

Please RSVP by Tues., Sept. 27th to colluram@redcross-philly.org.

Questions? Contact: Mary Collura, SEPA VOAD Coordinator, American Red Cross, (215) 299-4218, (215) 299-0498 fax, colluram@redcross-philly.org

Update: LDR needed items

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 12:49:03 GMT

From Pastor Tom Kadel in MS:

The guy who is running the supply side of things here at Christus Victor LC is named Charlie Elgin. I asked him for the top ten needs right now and below is his list. If people are sending trucks down, they should know that Ascension, Jackson, is closing down (probably this weekend) and is accepting no more loads that are not already on the way. All shipments should be sent to Christus Victor here in Ocean Springs. The address in on the LDR website. People should phone Charlie ahead of time (Phone # 334-669-5855) to arrange the arrival date and time. He can also give directions. Truckers should have a manifest of what is on board. Local churches who are sending food (always needed) should attempt to pack the boses in such a way that they can just be handed to people -- a nice variety of foods for a family to live on for a few days.

Tomorrow, I begin a new task. I'll be helping deliver food to people who can't make it here to the distribution site. There is one other minister (from Pittsburgh) working this. Our job will be to have prayer with the recipients. The other minister (named Tim) has already done this for a couple days and reports that now that survival needs have largely been attended to, people are very hungry for spiritual feeding. Other clergy can come down and do this, too, I'm sure. It would be arranged through Charlie.

Supply Needs

N95 Respirator masks
Wide Brimmed hats
Leather Work Gloves
Heavy Rubber gloves
Heavy Contractor garbage bags
Insect repellant
Band Aids
Clorox
Scrub Brushes
Green Scrubbies
Goggles
New Socks
New Underwear
Neosporine
Cortizone
Mops
Brooms
Canned vegetables
Canned meat
Boxed liquid milk
Manual can openers
Floor Cleaner
Cots

Volunteers / Work Crews

Home reclamation
Tree/debris removal
Food Distribution

SEPANews Special - Hurricane Relief / Sept. 21, 2005

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 14:24:51 GMT

PRAY for the people along the Gulf Coast in danger from Hurricane Rita.

Latest information at the Disaster Blog, http://spaces.msn.com/members/sepadisaster.

>Next supply truck leaves Saturday
Another truck of supplies is scheduled to leave from our local collection point, Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville, this Saturday, Sept. 24. Supplies should be delivered to the church by Friday afternoon. It is suggested that you call the church at 215.256.8738 to let them know you are bringing supplies. Access the list of supplies that are needed at www.christlc.org. Volunteers are also needed to help load the truck. Contact the church at 215.256.8738 to find out how and when you can help!

>Video resources
If you have the ability to show mpeg videos on your computer in worship, classes, youth group, etc., check out the FREE music videos produced by Ecclesia (an emergent church in Houston) at www.theworkofthepeople.com. Video #2 is set to an updated translation of Psalm 137; the effect is quite moving.

>Support the church in the wake of the disaster

Bishop Paul Blom of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod has issued a call for congregations willing to help sponsor congregations in the affected areas, to help support pastors and AIMs to provide care to their members and communities while churches are unable to pay them. "If we can help meet their daily needs it will help them to be able to serve their own folks as that begins to happen," he writes. You can send funds directly to the synod office (12707 North Freeway, Ste. 580, Houston, TX 77060), designating them for either “Synod Disaster Fund” or “Bishop’s Discretionary Fund”

Pastor John Carlson passed on information that Purpose Driven Ministries is also working on an effort to provide support for pastors in the affected area. Learn more at http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HurricaneRelief/Overview.htm

Updated list of most-needed supplies

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 19:08:47 GMT

Updated list of needs from LDR in Mississippi:

Canned veggies, fruits and soups

Juices
Cleaning supplies – mops, buckets, detergents, sponges, etc.
Boxed milk (I believe she was referring to the small boxes of milk that do not have to be refrigerated)
Cots

They do not want:

Water
Clothing

Calling congregational work teams

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 18:50:09 GMT

Lois Kadel of Christ, Kulpsville, passed on the following information about congregational work teams to assist along the Gulf Coast beginning in January:

I have been asked by Janet Panning of Lutheran Children and Family Services to work with Linda Frey of Lutheran Disaster Response to coordinate volunteers who will be willing to go to the Gulf Coast during the clean up and re-building effort in the coming months, beginning in January. Lutheran Disaster Response is active and will continue to be active through the very long and difficult recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Opportunities for long-term assistance include forming work teams to help cleanup and rebuild areas. Congregations with work teams or needing information and/or training on developing a work team can contact Linda Frey of LDR by telephone at 610-847-5775 or Lois Kadel via e-mail at LoKadel@att.net or via telephone at 215-256-4336.

There is going to be a training session for disaster voluteers in Lititz, PA in three weeks. There will be further information to come. LDR is also looking for RVs or Motor Homes to use in the clean up effort to house volunteers during their stay. The plan is to send self sustainable groups to the site where they will stay in the mobile homes for a week at a time. Please understand everything is very fluid right now and we will have more information in the weeks to come.

Survivors need notes of encouragement

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:21:59 GMT

Pastor Tom Kadel of Christ Lutheran, Kulpsville, writes of a conversation with the LDR coordinator in Jackson, MS. A new need has arisen -- notes and letters of encouragement for people trying to recover from Katrina (and for the disaster workers). Here's part of his story:

I had a remarkable phone conversation this afternoon with Staff Sgt. John Rich who is the LDR coordinator at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson. As I mentioned earlier, they still need Gatoraide and salt tablets as well as items for senior citizens. They also now need school supplies. Some of the schools are trying to open and many of the students have nothing. They need “all the standard stuff” including back packs, paper, pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. He also said that letters and notes of encouragement from people are making a huge impact on the survivors. He urges people to write these notes and get them on trucks going there. He will get them into the right people’s hands. He says he often reads the notes to his volunteers there at Ascension before repacking them in the trucks and sending them off. He almost brought tears to my eyes at one point. He is National Guard. I asked him, “What is your relationship with Lutheran Disaster Relief?” He responded, “It is my future religion. I have seen so many miracles these past six days.”

Another truck should be onsite at Kulpsville soon. Donations are needed to cover the cost of fuel for the trucks, and can be directed to Christ Lutheran Church with Truck/Fuel in the memo line.

New list of priority items

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:17:27 GMT

Our "how you can help" Hurricane Katrina information on www.elca.org/disaster has been updated to include this list of priority supply items, along with another list of recommended supplies for donation. Remember, when it comes to donations of in-kind gifts for disaster response, go to www.elca.org/disaster to

* Consult before you collect

(see what supplies are needed/wanted); and

* Know before you go

(verify the receiving location and how the donations should be sent. For example, some locations can only receive truck/van deliveries, some can accept mailed boxes.)

Priority items needed as of Sept 12, 2005
Canned food
Baby formula and baby food
Scrub brushes
5 gallon buckets
cots
single flat sheets
Wal-mart [gift] cards
syringes
adhesive bandages
antiseptic for cleaning wounds

Red Cross needs Gulf shelter volunteers

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 18:30:10 GMT

The Red Cross is actively seeking trained volunteers to be deployed to
shelters in the Gulf Coast Region, and is able to provide training to
congregational groups of volunteers.
* Persons who have completed the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) training are being sought for three-week assignments in the disaster region. Volunteers must be in good shape as this is a "hardship" assignment, requiring sleeping in a shelter, possibly on a floor.
* Training is also available for congregational groups that wish to have the VOAD certification. This applies to groups with individuals who would be available for immediate deployment and with members who would be available for future assignments.
To volunteer, schedule training or receive more information, contact:

Kristin Beck
SEPA VOAD Manager
215.299.4054 (phone)
kristin.beck@redcross-philly.org

Truck arrives in Mississippi

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 12:01:04 GMT

The truck carrying supplies from the local collection point at Christ, Kulpsville, arrived in Jackson, Miss. yesterday morning, and was redirected to Hattiesburg, Miss., 85 miles south, so the materials could go directly to relief efforts rather than going through a distribution center. Pastor Tom Kadel reports that the driver, Howard Bryan, learned that assistance is needed now for the elderly and for relief workers who are cleaning debris.

He said that he can use anything that will help seniors including diabetic food, Ensure, Depends for adults, etc. One thing they definitely do NOT need is clothing. Removing clothing (he called them rags) from distribution centers is tying up trucks all over the Gulf coast. For relief workers, they can use lots of Gatoraide and similar electrolite products and salt tablets. There's no shade! The trees and buildings in some areas are completely gone. Water has been helpful, but the Gatoraide would be better.

Did you attend Youth Gathering in New Orleans?

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 21:50:53 GMT

Here's a way to give back.

Katie Schmees, a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Loveland, Ohio, said she wants to "give back" to New Orleans, the city that hosted the 1997 ELCA Youth Gathering.

About 25,000 high-school-age Lutherans attended the 1997 ELCA Youth Gathering, Schmees told the ELCA News Service. She noted that the number of teenagers who attended the gathering is about the same number of Hurricane Katrina survivors who sought refugee in the Superdome, one of the gathering's locales. New Orleans "was extremely hospitable to the overwhelming number of teenagers in their midst," she said. "While many of us (teens) worked on service projects, we saw first-hand the poverty of many of the city's residents," Schmees said. "My experience was unforgettable. Since that (gathering), I have met several people outside my congregation that felt the same way. I think that it is only appropriate that we give back to the city that hosted our (gathering)," she said.

Schmees said that if each person who attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans gave $10 -- the price of going to see a movie -- a quarter of $1 million dollars could be raised to support hurricane relief and recovery efforts "not to mention the effect we could have if even just a fraction of us volunteer to help clean up," she said.

Lutheran Disaster Response: In it for the long haul

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 16:56:01 GMT

It has been gratifying to see the outpouring of donations of money and materials and the continuing offers of help from Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. Lutheran Disaster Response is active now and will continue to be active through what will be a very long and difficult recovery period. There are many ways that you, your neighbors and your congregation can participate during this recovery effort. Here are some of the ways that you can help:

•   Pray boldly and often for the millions affected by Katrina and for the many, many people working for their health and safety.
•   Give generous donations of cash through ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, 1-800-638-3522 or online at www.elca.org/disaster. These funds are used to provide direct aid to storm victims, support feeding of evacuees at the Astrodome, and to help Lutheran agencies and congregations in the disaster area provide services.
•   Stay tuned to the ELCA Disaster site, www.elca.org\disaster, and the SEPA Disaster Blog, http://spaces.msn.com/members/sepadisaster, for the latest opportunities to help. Needs and opportunities change frequently in what is, so far, a very fluid situation.
•   Collect items that disaster workers need during cleanup. Updated lists are posted at www.elca.org/disaster and at http://spaces.msn.com/members/sepadisaster under the “How to help” category. ONLY items on these lists can be accepted. Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville is serving as a collection and shipping point for our area for the foreseeable future. More information is at www.christlc.org. (Clothing items that cannot be donated to disaster relief can be donated to Elsa’s Thrift Shop, a project of Lutheran Children and Family Services, one of our local Lutheran Disaster Relief partners. See www.lcfsinpa.org/elsas.asp for information.)
•   If you have other specialized skills to offer, contact ddr@elca.org with this information.

Because this will be a long-term recovery, and because hurricane season is not yet over, it is also helpful for your congregation to be thinking ahead about ways to be prepared for disasters and to be part of the ongoing cleanup and recovery along the Gulf Coast.

•   Being prepared includes developing a congregational disaster plan and surveying the assets your congregation has to offer for assistance to your local community or to a larger disaster such as Katrina. It is also possible to become certified as a shelter and/or to receive training to participate in relief efforts through Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster of Southeastern PA (www.sepavoad.org.
•   Opportunities for long-term assistance include forming work teams to help rebuild the area and being trained to be part of specialized programs, such as Camp Noah for children affected by disasters, that are unique to Lutheran Disaster Response.
o   Congregations interested in information and/or training on developing a work team can contact: Linda Frey of LDRP via email at lwfrey@epix.net.
o   Camp Noah was developed by Lutheran Services of Minnesota and is offered at disaster sites around the country; info is at www.campnoah.org.

Above all, please watch Synod and ELCA communications for updated information on needs in the disaster zone and ways that you can assist. Our nation has never seen a disaster of this magnitude, and unforeseen needs are certain to arise as the recovery continues.

Thank you for your prayers, your concern, and your willingness to help.

Evacuee update

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 15:14:21 GMT

The Inquirer's web site reports this morning that while up to 5,000 evacuated persons were expected in Philadelphia, only 38 has arrived, and it is unclear if more will be coming. Local Lutheran Disaster Relief Partners are monitoring the situation, but it is unknown at this point what, if any, assistance will be needed. What is certain is that this situation will continue to be fluid in coming days, so please stay tuned to this website for updates.

LDRP asks congregations to find out from members if they are sheltering friends or relatives from the affected areas and to forward this information to Janet Panning at LCFS, janetp@lcfsinpa.org.

Kulpsville will continue to serve as drop-off point

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 15:07:04 GMT

Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville will continue to serve as a drop-off site for relief items moving into Mississippi. The first truck will leave tomorrow morning bound for Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson. Items will be collected throughout what is expected to be a long recovery process. The needs for items will change over time, so please stay tuned to this web site and to www.elca.org/disaster for currrent needs. Here is an updated list of needs provided Sept. 7 by Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi.

Over- the- Counter medications
Anti-diarrheal medications
Humored Cream
Tylenol
Benadryl
First Aid Kits
Baby Items
Formula
Diapers -- all sizes
Food
Bottles
Diaper Rash Cream

Cleaning
Plastic Spray Bottles
Scrub Brushes
Cleaning Supplies with Bleach
Anti-Bacterial Cleansers
Rubber Gloves
Work Gloves
Garden Hose
Mops
Brooms

Food
Boost
Ensure
Sugar Free Drinks
Sugar Free / Diabetic Foods
Canned Foods

Clothing**
New Socks -- all
New Underwear -- all

Other
Wal-mart Gift Cards
Tarps

Notes

**Clothing donations other than those listed above should be made to the Salvation Army or Goodwill

Volunteer request -- Georgia

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 15:00:45 GMT

From an update sent last night from the Southeastern Synod:

If your organization/agency can help with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts in Central Georgia, please contact Sandra Stone at hs_volmacon@bellsouth.net or at gavoad@yahoo.com

Supplies are needed as well as volunteers to help manage the distribution of supplies.

DDR Volunteer Hotline

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 10:58:41 GMT

FYI: While it's still best for volunteers (current need: certified/skilled search and rescue volunteers and self-contained debris-removal teams) to e-mail their availability (ddr@elca.org), a volunteer hotline has been set up at 800-638-3522, ext. 2298.

Please consult www.elca.org/disaster for volunteer opportunities.

Helping Philly's efforts to shelter evacuees

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 16:58:45 GMT

Pastor Maggie Ainsle passed on the following information on assisting with the city's efforts to shelter displaced persons:

…Approximately 600 people forced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath will be arriving in Philadelphia. The City has established two sites to receive them, at the Wanamaker School in 11th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue in North Philadelphia, and at the Palumbo School at 11th and Catherine Streets in South Philadelphia. At these sites, evacuees will receive support from a wide range of public agencies to help smooth their transition and address their urgent needs.

        Here at DHS, we are especially concerned about assuring that the children and youth who will be coming are supported through what has probably been the most traumatic experience of their lives. We are looking for donations of toys, games, sports equipment, etc., for children of all ages. A listing of the kinds of things we need is at the end of this email below.

        Volunteers who have child abuse and criminal records clearances are also needed to help us staff our childcare youth programs at these sites.

        If you can help, please go to http://www.phila.gov/katrina/ or call the City of Philadelphia/United Way Katrina Volunteer Hotline at 215-665-2544.

        DONATIONS LOCALLY Local contributions in support of Project Brotherly Love can be sent to the Fund for Philadelphia, Inc., 1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Contributions can be made by cash, check, money order, VISA, Mastercard or American Express. Approved in-kind contributions will be acknowledged as well. All contributions in support of PBL are tax deductible.

        Checks payable to: Fund for Philadelphia, Inc. 1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 Attn: Karen Leslie-Garrison, karen.leslie-garrison@fundforphiladelphia.org, 215-683-2053, 215-683-2051 fax

        ______________________________________________________________

TYPES OF SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR YOUTH CENTERS AT WANAMAKER AND PALUMBO SCHOOLS
    Newborn to l-year-old baby
        Choose brightly-colored, lightweight toys that appeal to a baby's sight, hearing and touch. Cloth, plastic or board books with large pictures Large blocks of wood or plastic Pots and pans Rattles Soft, washable animals, dolls or balls Bright, movable objects that are out of baby's reach Busy boards Floating bath toys Squeeze toys

1- to 2-year-old toddler
    Toys for this age group should be safe and be able to withstand a toddler's curious nature. Cloth, plastic or board books with large pictures Sturdy dolls Kiddy cars Musical tops Nesting blocks Push and pull toys (remember - no long strings) Stacking toys Toy telephones (without cords)

2- to 5-year-old preschooler
       Toys for this age group can be creative or imitate the activity of parents and older children. Books (short stories or action stories) Blackboard and chalk Building blocks Crayons, nontoxic finger paints, clay Hammer and bench Housekeeping toys Outdoor toys: sandbox (with a lid), slide, swing, playhouse Transportation toys (tricycles, cars, wagons) Tape or record player Simple puzzles with large pieces Dress-up clothes Tea party utensils

5- to 9-year-old child
        Toys for this age group should help the child develop new skills and creativity. Blunt scissors, sewing sets Card games Doctor and nurse kits Hand puppets Balls Bicycles with helmets Crafts Electric trains Paper dolls Jump ropes Roller skates with protective gear Sports equipment Table games

10- to 14-year-old child
        Hobbies and scientific activities are ideal for this age group. Computer games Sewing, knitting, needlework Microscopes/telescopes Table and board games Sports equipment Hobby collections

Victims coming here need clothing donations

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:31:34 GMT

Many people have been asking about the need for donations of clothing for storm victims. KYW is reporting that donations of clothing are needed for storm evacuees coming to Philadelphia, but donations should go to established charities, not the temporary shelters set up for displaced residents. This is from the KYW website:

"Grace says clothing for Philadelphia’s guest evacuess can be dropped off at the Salvation Army in Roxborough (4555 Pechin Street). They are open from 7:30am to 4:30pm and are looking for clothing and furniture. For more information, call the Salvation Army at 215-483-3340 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Or call the city’s hotline for this effort: 215-665-2544."

Donate or load a truck in Kulpsville

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 19:55:43 GMT

A 26-foot U-Haul truck is being filled with emergency relief supplies for the wake of Hurricane Katrina at Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville, PA.

Since the weekend, church members, Lutherans from other congregations and folks off the street have piled up buckets, diapers, extension cords, a chain saw, paper products and “tons of water and Gatorade,” according to the Rev. Tom Kadel, Christ Lutheran’s pastor. They’ve received commitments of materials from as far away as Reading, where one woman is canvassing neighbors and local stores to gather materials. A passing trucker delivered three skids of materials the other day.

“It is so strengthening to see Jesus in the flesh in all these people!” Pastor Kadel says.

Volunteers will be loading the truck TONIGHT and Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the church, on Sumneytown Pike a half-mile northwest of the Lansdale Interchange of the Turnpike.

The truck is scheduled to leave Friday morning for a Mississippi church that is a staging area for disaster relief efforts. Items will be accepted through Thursday night. Christ Lutheran will continue to collect items after this shipment and will serve as a drop off point until the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Domestic Disaster Response team no longer needs assistance, Kadel said.

Truck leaving for disaster area Friday

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 16:24:10 GMT

A 26-foot U-Haul will leave Friday morning from Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville Friday morning bound for the disaster area loaded with items requested by ELCA Disaster Response. Items must be dropped off Thursday to make this shipment.

Only items listed in this previous post can be accepted.

Truck loading parties will be held tonight (9/6) and tomorrow (9/7) at 7 p.m. to prepare the truck.

At the request of Lutheran Disaster Relief Partners of SEPA, Christ, Kulpsville will continue to serve as a drop off point in the future as needs are identified.

At this time, clothing is NOT being accepted.

Update on how to help

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 23:18:21 GMT

We are continually updating the how-to-help information on www.elca.org/disaster This is what is current as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday 9/5. Please check the site regularly as you help others with questions.

Blessings, Sue

EARLY-RESPONSE VOLUNTEERS/PROFESSIONALS NEEDED

Skilled/certified search and rescue volunteers. Send an email with "search and rescue volunteer" in the subject line, along with full contact information to ddr@elca.org
Self-sufficient debris removal crews (able to provide their own food, water, sleeping arrangements). Debris-removal crews are being coordinated at a local high school in Wiggins, Mississippi. It has been requested that you call the following number prior to going: 601-249-3695. Self-sufficient volunteer crews may also contact Hal Shope (hshope@allthingsnewministry.org, 678-580-3371) or Bob Tribble (trib713@juno.com, 404-313-7878), LDR Volunteer Coordinators.
Health and medical professionals should contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 866/528-6334, volunteer.hhs.gov or www.hhs.gov
Individuals seeking employment with FEMA should call 800/879-6076, to receive instruction for faxing an application or resume to 540-542-2484.
Contractors seeking opportunities with FEMA should visit www.swern.gov

LATER-RESPONSE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers will be needed for Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery efforts long into the future. Groups should watch www.elca.org/disaster for volunteer opportunities, or after the immediate crisis has past, send their contact information to ddr@elca.org with "volunteer" in the subject line.

DONATIONS OF FOOD AND *NEW* CLOTHING
Multi-Agency warehouses have been established to accept delivered donations of food, paper products, and NEW clothing. (The warehouses are temperature-controlled facilities, so clothing donations will not mildew. We are not working with anyone at this time willing to accept donations of used clothing.) These warehouses serve as receiving and delivery points and are set up to receive semi-truck deliveries. If you are coordinating a donations drive, and plan to place the items on a semi-tractor trailer, if at all possible, please have these donations placed on pallets for easy removal from the trucks. The warehouses will accept donations if they are not on pallets, but it would help with the unloading process. Since mail services in these areas are uncertain, donations should be taken and not mailed. Contact information is below:

Louisiana
1102 E. Admiral-Doyle Dr.; New Iberia, LA 70560
Stanley Buckmaster-Manager (405)612-4602
Mississippi
4750 Northside Methodist Home Rd.; Jackson, MS 39213
Ray Elsberry-Manager (601)405-2975
Alabama (tentative, watch for confirmation)
Old Sams Club; I-65 W & Dauphin Blvd.; Mobile, AL
Tommy Warren-Manager

DONATIONS TO AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANKS
America's Second Harvest is organizing the delivery nationwide to deliver food goods to the impacted areas. The national number is 800-771-2303. Learn more, and find local food-bank contact information, here.

DONATIONS OF DISASTER-RECOVERY SUPPLIES
The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA is maintaining a list of congregations that are also willing to accept donations of disaster-recovery supplies.

OFFERS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response/Lutheran Disaster Response is not coordinating temporary housing.

Update on collections

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:26:44 GMT

Christ, Kulpsville is planning on sending a shipment out on Thursday or Friday of this week. Donated items can be dropped off at any time in the breezeway between the church office and the garage.

Only items on the list here can be accepted at this time.

Donations and temporary housing

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:19:22 GMT

DONATIONS OF FOOD AND *NEW* CLOTHING
Multi-Agency warehouses have been established to accept donations of food, paper products, and NEW clothing. (The warehouses are temperature-controlled facilities, so clothing donations will not mildew. We are not working with anyone at this time willing to accept donations of used clothing.) These warehouses serve as receiving and delivery points and are set up to receive semi-truck deliveries. If you are coordinating a donations drive, and plan to place the items on a semi-tractor trailer, if at all possible, please have these donations placed on pallets for easy removal from the trucks. The warehouses will accept donations if they are not on pallets, but it would help with the unloading process. Contact information is below:

Louisiana
1102 E. Admiral-Doyle Dr.; New Iberia, LA 70560
Stanley Buckmaster-Manager (405)612-4602
Mississippi
4750 Northside Methodist Home Rd.; Jackson, MS 39213
Ray Elsberry-Manager (601)405-2975
Alabama
Old Sams Club; I-65 W & Dauphin Blvd.; Mobile, AL
Tommy Warren-Manager

DONATIONS TO AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANKS
America's Second Harvest is organizing the delivery nationwide to deliver food goods to the impacted areas. The national number is 800-771-2303. Learn more, and find local food-bank contact information, here.

DONATIONS OF DISASTER-RECOVERY SUPPLIES
The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA is maintaining a
list of congregations that are also willing to accept donations of disaster-recovery supplies.

OFFERS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING
We are working with our national voluntary disaster organizations to identify persons eligible for relocation out of state. Many of those displaced have issues that tie them to their state of origin: guardianship issues, mental and physical health care and services, and special educational needs and requirements due to physical disabilities. If a system is developed to house displaced persons in family homes, we will contact those who have volunteered housing. To volunteer to provide long-term temporary housing should that opportunity become available, send an e-mail to ddr@elca.org with your full contact information and offer to help; put "temporary housing" on the subject line of the email.

Volunteering information

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:17:29 GMT

EARLY-RESPONSE VOLUNTEERS/PROFESSIONALS NEEDED

Skilled/certified search and rescue volunteers. Send an email with "search and rescue volunteer" in the subject line, along with full contact information to ddr@elca.org
Self-sufficient debris removal crews (able to provide their own food, water, sleeping arrangements). Debris-removal crews are being coordinated at a local high school in Wiggins, Mississippi. It has been requested that you call the following number prior to going: 515-249-3695. You may also contact Hal Shope, LDR Volunteer Coordinator at hshope@allthingsnewministry.org or 678-580-3371 (e-mail is best, as phone circuits are stressed and sporadic).
Health and medical professionals should contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 866/528-6334, volunteer.hhs.gov or www.hhs.gov
Individuals seeking employment with FEMA should call 800/879-6076, to receive instruction for faxing an application or resume to 540-542-2484.
Contractors seeking opportunities with FEMA should visit www.swern.gov

Updated information on volunteering, in-kind gifts

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 21:17:23 GMT

TO VOLUNTEER
The four states of the ELCA-Southeastern Synod, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee have suffered damage from hurricane Katrina. There is a great need for congregations to develop teams of people willing to help the victims by going to the disaster locations as work crews, and raising funds for Lutheran Disaster Response so we can provide help the victims of this disaster.

Bishop Warren, Hal Shope, LDR Coordinator for Volunteers, and Bob Tribble, Coordinator ELCA-Southeastern Synod/LDR are going to MS and AL as soon as the roads are opened( probably Sat or Sun). We will let you know when, where, and what is needed as soon as we can. I know we will need debris removal and clean up crews first, then rebuilding teams later.

Teams responding will be coordinated by LDR coordinators to provide the best response possible. We urge all congregations to help the thousands of victims in our Synod.

Congregations with work teams willing to respond to the disaster areas, contact:

Elaine Schwartz
Southeastern Synod/LDR
eschwartz@elca-ses.org

You can also email ddr@elca.org if you are interested in volunteering in the coming weeks and months. Please put "Katrina Volunteer" in the subject line. We are compiling a list of interested individuals and/or groups to help in this longterm response.

COLLECTING SUPPLIES
The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA is maintaining a list of congregations that are willing to accept donated materials. Check their Web site for updates and a list of commonly needed items.

A NOTE ABOUT IN-KIND GIFTS AND OFFERING YOUR HOME AS TEMPORARY SHELTER:
We are currently in the process of identifying locations where items may be donated and stored, as we receive notification of donation sites, we are posting these sites on the web page. Receiving donations of clothing is a concern because clothing tends to mold and mildew quickly in this climate. A list of helpful items to donate will be updated as information comes to us. We are working with our national voluntary disaster organizations to help us identify persons eligible for relocation out of state. Many of those displaced have issues that tie them to their state of origin: guardianship issues, mental and physical health care and services, and special educational needs and requirements due to physical disabilities. As we acquire information regarding temporary housing and families in need, we will contact those who have offered to open their homes to these families and share with them the family context. In nearly all cases, a financial gift is more effective, has a more immediate impact than in-kind gifts, and allows us the flexibility to direct services where needed most.

OTHER INQUIRIES
Please contact Amy Bancroft, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, if you are interested in assisting in this work (800.638.3522, x 2748; amy.bancroft@elca.org).

Press your church sign into service

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 17:45:00 GMT

Every day many of our members and thousands of others drive past our churches. A simple and effective way of telling people how to help with this crisis and to witness to the Lutheran commitment to disaster recovery would be to place a brief message like the following on as many church signs as possible. If you have the ability to post messages on your sign, consider posting the following or something similar for the coming days:

Help Hurricane Victims!

Lutheran Disaster Response

1-800-638-3522

www.elca.org/disaster