Home
/
News
 /
Lutherans Continue Assistance in Ohio River Valley

Lutherans Continue Assistance in Ohio River Valley

May 21, 1997



CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "In the little towns and villages of southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky, people are still trying to rebuild their homes after the devastating floods in March along the Ohio River and its tributaries," said the Rev. Leon A. Phillips Jr., executive director for Lutheran Disaster Response. "Lutheran volunteers are still helping -- more than three hundred of them so far -- in an area where Lutherans are few and far between," he said.
Lutheran Disaster Response, a joint ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has issued $37,380 in initial grants for emergency response in the flood areas of northern Kentucky and southwestern Ohio. Lutheran Disaster Response has assigned Carroll Grimes, Cincinnati, as the volunteer coordinator for cleanup and recovery efforts.
"Nearly 30 families in Vinton, Ohio, are in need of home repairs, furniture, appliances and more," said Grimes. "Thirteen sites in Vinton are currently in some stage of construction. In Russell, Ky., Lutheran Disaster Response continues to distribute food, emergency supplies and pastoral care to those affected by the floods," he said.
"Lutheran pastors have organized and directed over 100 team members from their congregations and other local congregations to distribute food, cleaning supplies and counseling. They have been active 'hands on' pastors in cleanup and rebuilding both structures and lives," said Grimes.
Lutheran Social Services of the Miami Valley has produced a newsletter to provide information about the relief efforts of Lutheran Disaster Response for the Ohio River Valley. The two-page newsletter, published monthly, identifies the needs of individuals impacted by the flood and spotlights congregations and individuals who have provided cleanup and recovery assistance. The first issue was published in March.
An alliance has been formed to plan for long-term help after federal funds are expended. The alliance brings together case management workers with interfaith groups such as Lutheran Disaster Response in four Ohio counties and four Kentucky counties.
Lutheran relief efforts in Ohio and Kentucky, and parts of Indiana as well, will continue throughout the summer, said Grimes.
Lutheran Disaster Response has issued $367,960 in initial grants for emergency response in the flood areas of Minnesota and North and South Dakota. The new statewide coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota is Deanna Ruggier, Fargo, N.D. She replaces Bonnie Turner as the person for volunteers to contact. Lutheran Disaster Response carries out its ministry through Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was there as the waters approached and the battles were fought. As the waters receded, the relief efforts began. The needs continue to change every day, and the ELCA, working with our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod partners as Lutheran Disaster Response, will be there as long as it takes," said Phillips.

CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS CONTACT:

Ohio - Carroll Grimes - 1-800-664-5947
North Dakota - Deanna Ruggier - 1-888-356-6343
South Dakota - Ray Engh - 1-605-373-4224
Minnesota - Melanie Josephson - 1-612-642-5990

DOMESTIC DISASTERS

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to
survivors of major disasters including the United States, Puerto Rico
or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
800-638-3522

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html

- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

ELCA News

You can receive up-to-date ELCA news releases by email.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.