By Carolyn Neher
During the first half of June, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) volunteers have continued to provide care centers for children during what has been identified as the most active tornado season in the United States since 2017. Most recently, CDS volunteers have worked in Arkansas. Previous short-term deployments earlier this month were to Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) in Greenfield, Iowa, and Sikeston, Mo.
Over the four days of deployments, a total of 10 CDS volunteers served 66 children, with some volunteers serving more than once.
MARCs offer a one-stop opportunity where families can seek relief and recovery assistance from multiple private, nonprofit, and government agencies. The CDS care centers provide a safe and secure place for children to play and begin their healing process, while also giving peace of mind to parents and guardians as they seek resources to help their family move toward recovery. Over the four days of deployments, a total of 10 CDS volunteers served 66 children, with some volunteers serving more than once.
The tornado that struck Greenfield, Iowa, on May 21 destroyed 153 homes and took the lives of 4 people. On May 26-27, more than 70 tornadoes were reported across 15 states. On May 26, two tornadoes (an EF3 and an EF2) hit Decatur, Ark., and an EF2 hit Rogers, Ark. Both caused extensive damage and loss of life. On the same day, Sikeston, Mo., was hit by severe storms that spawned an EF3 tornado, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed a grant of $5,000 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to support the work of CDS volunteers responding to tornadoes this year. Because storms show no sign of abating soon, additional requests are anticipated in the coming weeks.
For more about Children’s Disaster Services and how to volunteer, go to www.brethren.org/cds.
To donate financially to this work, give to the Emergency Disaster Fund at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/bdm.
— Carolyn Neher is associate director of CDS, which is a part of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
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