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UMCOR Is Ready for Rita, Officials Say

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2005- As more than a million people fled north away from Hurricane Rita's 165-mile-an-hour winds, United Methodist Committee on Relief emergency services officials made plans to manage the current response to Hurricane Katrina and to expand its scope to include Rita recovery.

"We're in constant contact with our emergency workers and consultants who are on the ground in the Gulf Coast states," said the Rev. Kristin L. Sachen, Emergency Services Office head. "UMCOR's self-sufficient early response teams are poised to go into the new disaster zone as soon as it is safe to do so," she said.

In the meantime, she had advice for people in Rita's path.

  • Listen to local emergency advisories
  • Have three days' food, water, and batteries on hand
  • Know your most vulnerable neighbors and church members and have a way to contact them

"Disasters like these powerful hurricanes offer an opportunity for people to make remarkable connections with their neighbors that may not be possible in ordinary times," said Ms. Sachen.

UMCOR also invites United Methodists to continue their generosity in giving as the new storm threatens a large area with damage from high winds and floodwaters. Disasters of this scope will require years of recovery and investment. "Cash is the best gift right now," said Ms. Sachen. "UMCOR does not accept clothing or food because they take up valuable space that is needed for critical emergency supplies." A list of most-needed supplies is available online at umcor.org.

Cash gifts will help UMCOR continue to support work of volunteers, annual conferences and interfaith response efforts in the Gulf Coast disaster area as well as other vulnerable regions of the world. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. One hundred percent of every donation to any appeal, including the Hurricane Rita appeal, UMCOR Advance #901323, goes to support recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken regions.

volunteer offering dessert to New Orlean evacuees

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Rita taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on September 21, 2005, as the extremely dangerous hurricane churns in the Gulf of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of near 165 mph. Hurricane Rita strengthened on Wednesday into a powerful, intensely dangerous Category 5 storm as it headed toward the Texas coast and prompted evacuation orders for more than a million people. REUTERS/ NOAA Credit: REUTERS/ NOAA. Courtesy of www.alertnet.org

How You Can Help

Give:

Your generous gift to UMCOR Advance #982523, Hurricanes 2005 will help those affected by this year’s hurricanes. 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 give online, at your church, over the phone at 1-800-554-8583, or by mailing a check directly to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Checks should be written to UMCOR with the Advance number and name written on the memo line of your check.

Send:

There is an urgent need for both health kits and school kits. These collections of everyday items will provide displaced families with some basic necessities. The health kits contain items such as a toothbrush, wash cloth, and soap. The school kits contain items like paper, pencils, and items to help children start school. For assembly and shipping instructions, call UMCOR Sager Brown at 1-800-814-8765 or visit the UMCOR website. You may also give a financial donation to to UMCOR's Material Resource Ministry, Advance #901440 to purchase kit supplies that the Depot staff and volunteers will use to assemble health kits and school kits.

Go:

Volunteers will be needed to help in hurricane recovery throughout the gulf region. To find out how you can help with hurricane cleanup, contact your United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Jurisdictional Coordinator. A list of these coordinators is available on the web at http://gbgm-umc.org/vim/vimcoords.htm or write Mission Volunteers at voluntrs@gbgm-umc.org for contact information. They will provide details on creating and training a team as well as scheduling details. For information on what disaster sites are currently scheduling volunteers, call the Volunteer Hotline at 800-918-3100.