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About UMCOR UMCOR's Hurricane Response.
I Want to Help I Need Help What is UMCOR Doing?Q: How do I give a financial donation?
Q: How do I give a financial donation?
100% of your donation will go to hurricane relief.
You can give online at www.methodistrelief.org or make a credit card donation by calling 1-800-554-8583.
You can give by check by making the check out to UMCOR and writing Advance #982523, Hurricanes 2005 in the memo line of your check. If you would like your donation to go to those affected by a specific hurricane or a specific region, please note that in the memo line of your check.
You can mail your check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087 or place it in the offering plate of any United Methodist Church.
Q: How do I donate supplies?
UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA is collecting health kits, school kits, flood buckets, and other supplies. Shipping information and other details are available here.
UMCOR Sager Brown is in a hurricane warning area for Hurricane Rita. In the days immediately before and after Hurricane Rita, Sager Brown may be closed please check here for information about the Depot’s status.
UMCOR does not accept clothing and food donations. Please contact your local Red Cross, Salvation Army or another community organization regarding these items.
Q: Why are there strict rules about what can and cannot be included in items such as health kits and school kits?
UMCOR Sager Brown uses its existing inventory to respond immediately to a disaster. Therefore kits sent in response to a disaster go to replenish supplies at the Depot. These kits allow UMCOR Sager Brown to send relief supplies without interruption in response to needs in the US and abroad.
All emergency kits have been carefully planned to make them as usable as possible in the greatest number of situations. Because of strict rules imposed by international communities regarding product entry into their countries, it is important that kits contain only the items requested and nothing more. Do not include any personal notes, money or additional materials. These things must be painstakingly removed and will impede the progress of the shipment.
Q: How do I volunteer?
Volunteers will be needed in Hurricane-stricken areas. In the initial weeks, and in some places, months, only specially trained volunteers such as those on Early Response Teams can enter an area. This is because immediately following a disaster there are many health concerns due to structural damage and water-borne illnesses. Additionally, disaster areas lack the infrastructure needed to host volunteer teams.
To find out about United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) groups from your area, contact your jurisdictional volunteer coordinator. Go to http://gbgm-umc.org/vim/vimcoords.htm to find the contact information for your coordinator. You can also call the volunteer hotline at 1-800-918-3100.
Q: How can I offer my home as temporary housing for those in need?
UMCOR is encouraging congregations, rather than individuals, to consider hosting evacuees. For guidelines and information about how to do this, please see Opening Your Doors
The Red Cross is the designated shelter coordinator. You can contact your local Red Cross chapter if you would like more information about shelters in your community.
Q: How can I find my missing friends and relatives?
Both FEMA and the Red Cross have resources for locating missing loved ones. You can also call the Red Cross Family Links Registry at 1-800-LOVED 1S (1-800-568-3317).
Q:How can I receive financial assistance?
Save your receipts. If you are hosting evacuees, document who is staying with you, for how long and the expenses you incurred. You will need proof of your expenses and who is staying in your home to apply for assistance. You can apply for assistance through FEMA and the Red Cross (1-800-HELP-NOW).If you are a hurricane survivor, you will need to register with FEMA and the Red Cross first. UMCOR works with these organizations to help those who will need additional assistance.
Q: How can I find a shelter?
You need to contact the Red Cross (1-800-HELP-NOW) for your nearest shelter.
