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[LCMSNews] Lutherans helping tornado victims


From "LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>
Date Thu, 29 Apr 2004 20:03:46 -0500

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	April 29, 2004 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 44

	Lutherans respond to April 21 Illinois tornadoes

	Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and local Lutherans are helping
those affected by a cluster of 19 tornadoes that ripped through northern
Illinois April 21, killing eight people in Utica, about 90 miles
southeast of Chicago.

	LDR is a cooperative program of The Lutheran Church--Missouri
Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

	The eight killed, who ranged in age from 18 to 81, died when a
100-year-old tavern where they sought shelter collapsed in Utica, which
has about 1,000 residents. Dozens of homes and businesses there were
damaged by the category F-3 tornado that packed winds upwards of 200
miles per hour. Damage also was reported in nearby Joliet and Granville.

	In an April 22 e-mail, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) Director
Gilbert B. Furst said that Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS) of
Illinois and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois are coordinating LDRs
response to the storms.

	Furst said that both agencies are contacting local congregations
to assess needs and encourage volunteer participation from local
members.

	Furst said that the American Red Cross asked LCFS to provide a
mental-health worker and was preparing to work among children at a
preschool. He said that LDR would make funds available for emergency
needs.

	Volunteers were not being allowed into Utica a week after the
storm. However, local Lutherans are preparing to volunteer there,
according to Tim Hetzner of Lutheran Church Charities, based in Addison,
Ill., whose agency is coordinating efforts with LDR.

	Hetzner said he is not aware that any Lutherans were hurt in the
storms, but several have reported property damage that will be covered
by insurance.

	Send donations earmarked Midwest Tornadoes to LCMS World
Relief, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-9810 or call the credit-card
gift line at (888) 930-4438.

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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