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 UMCOR is part of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Letter from UMCOR: Ready to Respond

Posted: September 10, 2004 Click to Visit Global News.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. -- Psalm 46:1-3, NRSV

Dear Friend,

As people in the Caribbean and on Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts clear away debris from the one-two punch of hurricanes Frances and Charley, a third large storm, Ivan, is bearing down on those very areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief will be ready to respond.

Within 72 hours of the first devastation in Florida, UMCOR's Emergency Services executive Tom Hazelwood went to the worst-hit areas to assist Florida Annual Conference disaster response workers assess damage, offer comfort, and work closely with our other partners there to coordinate resources.

UMCOR immediately shipped thousands of flood buckets so that volunteers could begin the cleanup. A grant to the annual conference team enabled expert pastoral care, one-on-one discussions with survivors about immediate needs as well as their long-term recovery, and installation of tarps and plastic sheeting so houses could be safe and dry.

But this quick response is only the beginning. Long after the media have forgotten all about the season of triple hurricanes, UMCOR will be working on recovery issues-- buying building supplies, replacing sheetrock, restoring houses, and assisting survivors who are having a hard time coping.

Impelled by the compassion of Jesus, UMCOR's quick response and its commitment to stay at work are both important for the long-term recovery where the hurricanes have hit. Outside the borders of the United States, people are also suffering the effects of these storms-- sisters and brothers in Cuba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, and other damaged islands. The needs remain great, and you can be involved in meeting them.

Please give generously to UMCOR Advance #982410, Hurricanes 2004. Your gifts mean that UMCOR will be ready to respond to Hurricane Ivan and other hurricanes that cause extensive damage.

To make a contribution please drop your check into any United Methodist Church offering plate, or if using a credit card, call UMCOR toll free at 1-800-554-8583. Or mail your gift to:

UMCOR
475 Riverside Dr., Room 330
New York, NY 10115

With thanks, in faith,

Paul Dirdak, UMCOR Deputy General Secretary

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How to Participate in This Response

Donations for the denomination's response to this years deadly hurricanes should be earmarked for Hurricanes 2004, UMCOR Advance #982410. Checks written to UMCOR can be placed in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, N.Y. 10115. Credit card donations can be made by calling 1-800-554-8583 toll free.

Flood Buckets

Help replenish supplies of flood buckets filled with cleaning materials. Contents and specifications can be found online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/. Completed flood buckets--and $1.50 per bucket to cover reshipping-- should be sent to UMCOR Sager Brown, 101 Sager Brown Rd., Baldwin, LA 70514.

UMCOR is also requesting donations to Material Resource Ministry, Advance #901440 for cleaning supplies that the staff and volunteers at the Sager Brown Depot will use to assemble flood buckets.

Volunteers

Individuals or organizations interested in coordinating a group to assist with Hurricane relief and recovery efforts can call UMCOR's toll-free volunteer hotline at 1-800-918-3100 or email lknight@gbgm-umc.org.