United Methodists issue churchwide appeal for Floyd victims

Date: October 4 4, 1999

NEW YORK (UMNS) -- United Methodists issued a churchwide appeal Oct. 4 for funds to assist victims of Hurricane Floyd. The appeal -- approved by the denomination's Council of Bishops and General Council on Finance and Administration -- also will cover victims of tornado damage last May in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Donations should still be designated to Hurricanes '99, UMCOR Advance #982460-1, and placed in church collection plates or mailed directly to 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit-card donations can be made by calling 1-800-554-8583.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is estimating it will need at least $5 million to help the residents of North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York and other states affected by Hurricane Floyd. About 60,000 pounds of cleaning supplies already are being distributed through local churches in North Carolina, where heavy rain caused additional flooding. Supplies also have been shipped to New Jersey.

In southeastern Virginia, Hurricane Floyd caused flood-related damage at Sanford, Calvary, Memorial, High Street, Woodland and Ebenezer United Methodist churches. Richmond Area Bishop Joe E. Pennel Jr. and other pastors have toured the area to assess needs and prepare a church response. United Methodist volunteers also are assisting flood victims in a variety of ways, and a permanent relief center is to be established at High Street church in Franklin.

Trenton (N.C.) United Methodist Church received water damage, but not enough to put it out of commission. "We've got the largest food pantry in Trenton," said the Rev. Billy Olsen. "We have turned part of the church into a command center for the community. People needing assistance are calling and we're attempting to send teams out."

Seven Springs (N.C.) United Methodist Church has served as town headquarters since the storm. The Rev. Jim Humphries and his wife, Lisa, have directed volunteer teams and overseen various cleanup tasks, despite being forced from their own parsonage because of flooding.

Volunteer teams are needed in North Carolina to assist in the cleanup and rebuilding of churches, parsonages and some of the more than 33,000 homes that received water damage. Teams also are needed in other states. Volunteers can call (800) 918-3100 for details.

Because of demands from Hurricane Floyd, the UMCOR Sager-Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., is completely out of cleaning supplies. Flood bucket kits -- individual cleaning agents, brooms, mops, sponges and buckets -- are needed. More information is available by calling 1-800-814-8765.