wfn.org | Newsline: New Brethren Disaster Ministries project site opens

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

NEW BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES PROJECT SITE OPENS IN INDIANA

(Sept. 25, 2009) Elgin, IL -- "We're excited to offer an additional volunte er opportunity for disaster response volunteers this fall," read an announc ement from Brethren Disaster Ministries office. "The new project in Winamac , Ind., will be ready to get started the week of Sept. 27."

Volunteers are needed at the new project site to help rebuild homes followi ng destruction caused by a storm system with heavy rain that flooded the ar ea in the winter of 2008. Many communities along the Tippecanoe River in no rthern Indiana were affected, leaving many homes damaged or destroyed.

"While over 1,300 households in the region applied for FEMA assistance, man y families did not receive enough assistance to fully recover and return ho me," said the announcement from Brethren Disaster Ministries. "The local di saster recovery agency has called upon Brethren Disaster Ministries to help  with the needed reconstruction."

The program currently is recruiting volunteers to help rebuild two homes, s eeking volunteer groups of 6-8 volunteers for each week from Sept. 27 throu gh Nov. 21. Volunteers should be in good health, physically fit, and able t o do heavy lifting. Skills in new construction will be helpful. Initial wor k will includes framing, roofing, sheeting, subfloor, and window and door i nstallation. Volunteer housing will be at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac, w here the Shenandoah District bunk trailer and tool trailer will be availabl e. District Disaster Coordinators are being requested to share this informa tion with potential disaster volunteers in their districts.

For more detailed information go to www.brethrendisasterministries.org or c all 800-451-4407 ext. 7.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org