wfn.org | Help with Tornado Clean Up

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3044 notes).

Note 3039 by UMNS on July 1, 1996 at 15:59 Eastern (2161 characters).

SEARCH: tornado, relief, United Methodist, Arkansas, volunteers

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                   http://www.umc.org/umns.html
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                          325(10-71){3039}
          Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470            July 1, 1996

After two months, Arkansas tornado
clean up still needs gifts, volunteers

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Two months after a devastating tornado touched down in Fort
Smith and Van Buren, Ark., United Methodists continue to help with
clean up efforts.
     First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith and Heritage
United Methodist Church in Van Buren house the Interfaith Disaster
Recovery Center where storm victims can go for help.  
     According to Carolyn Tyler Stephens, a United Methodist
clergywoman who is serving as executive director of the interfaith
center, more professional workers are needed to help repair
damaged homes.  Volunteers in Mission teams are coordinated by
Sandy Parker, a member of First Church, Fort Smith.
     Tom Hazelwood, pastor of Wesley Church, Fort Smith, and
district disaster coordinator, said good used furniture is
"desperately needed" for families whose homes were damaged or
destroyed. All sorts of furniture could be used, he said, but
especially needed are tables, chairs, sofas and beds.  
     A warehouse has been made available to store donated items
until they are vouchered to families in need, said Hazelwood.
     According to a report in the Fort Smith Times-Record the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has contributed
$20,000 and Church World Service $5,000 for administration of the
interfaith center.
     While some roofing projects have been started, many victims
of the storm are still "wading through paper work with their
insurance companies and FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management
Agency)," said Hazelwood.
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