May 6, 2011
Even as rescue teams continued to search through debris and destroyed homes in the wake of the massive outbreak of tornadoes across the South, a host of faith-based organizations began the work of helping survivors recover.
UCC local churches in North Carolina and Alabama are
assisting residents with food and water as they are able. Even though some members had damage to or
lost their homes, outreach to the whole community is their focus. To assist these efforts a total of $10,000
from One Great Hour of Sharing has been sent to these local churches.
The UCC Ohio Conference as part of its disaster response
ministries prepares and stores clean up buckets and hygiene kits. On Wednesday this week, two members of the
Ohio Conference disaster team drove a truck filled with 600 clean up buckets;
and 540 hygiene kits to Birmingham, Alabama.
The kits were delivered to First Congregation Church UCC where members
of our area local churches unloaded the truck.
These kits (cleanup and hygiene respectively) will go to homeowners to
assist in cleanup of damaged homes; and to provide essentials such as a
toothbrush and toothpaste.
Here are some ways you can help:
1. Pray for those impacted by natural disasters and emergency response
personnel.
2. Make gifts payable to your congregation marked for
US Spring Storms Appeal, with the request they be sent through your Conference
office on to United Church of Christ,
Financial Services; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.
OR
3. Send gifts, made out to United Church of Christ and marked in the memo
portion US Spring Storms Appeal to
United Church of Christ, Financial Services;
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.
OR
4. Make a secure on-line donation.
5. Assemble Church World Service clean up and hygiene kits
which are urgently needed.
