Brethren Disaster Ministries as well as local emergency authorities are strongly advising those who would like to help out NOT to travel to the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, while the roads are not safe and search and rescue is still happening.
However, here are opportunities to help from home:
Gifts to the Emergency Disaster Fund Hurricane Response: Brethren Disaster Ministries anticipates that grants will be requested from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to help with rebuilding and recovery in the areas affected by this storm. Gifts to the EDF can be made by check to Emergency Disaster Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60123 (please note “Hurricane Helene” on your check); or give online at www.brethren.org/givehurricaneresponse.
Church World Service needs more Clean-Up Bucket Kits: CWS, a longterm partner organization of the Church of the Brethren, is getting requests for more clean-up buckets, but their inventory is low. Zach Wolgemuth, the CWS director of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, reported that as of this morning, the organization has authorized/shipped “3,296 Emergency Cleanup Buckets valued at $247,200 and 4,360 Hygiene Kits valued at $65,400 to partners in the impacted region. Additional requests for kits and blankets are coming in almost daily. Unfortunately, our Emergency Cleanup Bucket inventory to less than 1,000 buckets in inventory.” Can you put together bucket kits that can be sent to help survivors? More information is at https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits.
Requests for help from survivors: Brethren Disaster Ministries partners Week of Compassion and Crisis Clean-up have opportunities for you to sign up to receive calls through the call center for survivors requesting clean-up help. Get more information at www.weekofcompassion.org/virtual-volunteers.html.
— Jenn Dorsch-Messler, director of Brethren Disaster Ministries, and Roy Winter, executive director of Service Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, contributed to this report. Find out more about the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries at www.brethren.org/bdm and find out more about the Emergency Disaster Fund at www.brethren.org/bdm/edf.
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Children’s Disaster Services helps families in shelter, Brethren Disaster Ministries directs grants for aid, among other Hurricane Helene updates
- Clergywomen’s Retreat registration is now open online for event in February 2025
- Standing with People of Color Committee offers October trainings
- Sharon Norton hired as executive director of Global Mission
- Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 336 completes orientation