wfn.org | UMNS# 05076-UMCOR sends $10,000 grant for Indiana flood relief

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

UMCOR sends $10,000 grant for Indiana flood relief

Feb. 2, 2005	 News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New
York {05076}

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has sent an initial $10,000
grant for emergency flood relief to the denomination's South Indiana
Annual (regional) Conference.

The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR's U.S. disaster coordinator, said in a
Jan. 31 interview that he expects to receive a grant request for the
North Indiana Annual Conference as well.

Flood buckets and health kits also have been sent to the South Indiana
Conference.

In early January, rainfall ranging from more than 2 inches in the north
to more than 6 inches in the south combined with snowmelt to cause
significant flooding from rivers and streams. More rain on Jan. 11 and
13 compounded the problem.

Nearly 2,000 residents in 62 Indiana counties have applied for federal
aid because of recent storms and floods, the Associated Press reported
Jan. 29. So far, about a third of the applicants have been approved, for
a total of $1.75 million in aid.

Robert Babcock, South Indiana's disaster response coordinator, pointed
out that towns like Shoals, French Lick, Orleans, Hazleton and Spencer
had been partially under water and that he had received many requests
for assistance.

Hazelwood said the infrastructure developed by Indiana United Methodists
to deal with last year's tornados would be useful for flood recovery
efforts. He expects the denomination will conduct long-term relief work
in the state.

The floods hit neighboring states as well, and churches throughout the
region responded. For example, Christ United Methodist Church in
Marietta, Ohio, allowed itself to be used as a Red Cross shelter.

"Having the church used as a shelter for our local Red Cross continues
to make an impact on many lives," Pastor Charles Martindell wrote. In
addition to those seeking shelter, "the whole church family has been
touched by this experience."

Monetary donations earmarked for flood relief can be made to UMCOR's
domestic disaster fund and placed in local church offering plates or
sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY
10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #901670. Credit-card donations
can be made online at www.methodistrelief.org or by calling (800)
554-8583.

# # #

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org