CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR)
coordinators in Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota are assessing
damage left behind from severe storms and tornadoes that
struck these states Memorial Day weekend. According to
the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, LDR director, the first half
of 2008 has "been littered by news of one severe storm
after another." LDR is a collaborative ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service
indicate that 930 tornadoes have touched down this year,
and the number of tornadoes is nearly equal to the total
number of tornadoes for all of 2007, said Massey. "The
devastation has been widespread, with fatalities confirmed
in 15 different states from Louisiana to Minnesota, from
Colorado to North Carolina," he said.
Massey said the LDR coordinator in Iowa reported that
a tornado destroyed 300 homes in the area of Parkersburg,
Iowa. "The affected homes included those of dozens of members
of Bethel Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation," there, he
said.
LDR affiliate Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), Waverly,
has mobilized a disaster response program designed to address
the unmet needs of residents impacted by storms. Typical
assistance may include purchasing beds or other household
items, paying insurance deductibles and utility bills, and
more. LSI will coordinate a network of case advocates "who
will walk with families and individuals through the process
of recovery," providing such assistance as "filling out
paperwork or coordinating direct financial assistance,"
according to a May 28 LSI news release.
Storm recovery is taking place in Hugo, Minn., said
Massey. In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of
Minnesota, LDR will coordinate volunteers and, along with
other organizations, help provide case management services
to survivors of the storms and tornadoes.
Recovery efforts are also under way in Windsor, Colo.,
where more than 100 homes and business were affected by
storms and tornadoes, reported Massey.
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response has issued an ongoing
appeal for funds specifically to help meet the needs of
people affected by tornadoes this year.
"Issuing a designated appeal is something we do for
large-scale disasters. The continuing onset of record-breaking
tornadoes makes the appeal an important step" in meeting the
needs of people, said Massey.
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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid
survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto
Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago,
Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.ELCA.org/disaster
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
