wfn.org | NCCCUSA/CWS Helps Following Western U.S. Floods

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Wendy McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

CWS1/10/97                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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EDITORS: When listing organizations receiving funds
for humanitarian response to the flooding in the
Western states, please include:

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, Attn. West Coast Floods
(#76383), P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.  Phone
pledges or credit card donations: 1-800-762-0968.
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CHURCH WORLD SERVICE RESPONDS TO WEST COAST FLOODING

 NEW YORK, Jan. 10 ---- Church World Service
(CWS) is responding to the record rainfalls,
flooding and mudslides that have plagued the West
coast in the last 10 days with a $500,000 appeal for
funds which will focus on vulnerable populations.

 As cleanup efforts get under way in the five
western states hit by the fierce storms, CWS will be
focusing on the pressing needs in economically
distressed areas, particularly in American Indian,
immigrant and migrant farm worker communities and on
advocating for those who are uninsured.

 CWS has already sent 700 blankets to two
churches in Marysville and Guerneville, California.
Seven CWS volunteer Disaster Resource Consultants
(DRCs) will work with the religious community in the
regions to develop an ecumenical response.  They
are: Neil Moelnaar, CWS Christian Reformed World
Relief Committee, Wash.; David Kinman, CWS United
Methodist Committee on Relief, Ore.; Jackie Leonard,
CWS Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Nev.; Kimberly
Hall, CWS Church of the Latter Day Saints, southern
Calif.; Terry and Tina Wesbrock, CWS Christian
Church, Ariz.  Mr. Moelnaar and Ms. Hall are working
in California.

CWS funds will go toward cleanup and repair,
food, blankets & bedding, health kits, cash
assistance, advocacy on behalf of survivors to
assure they receive assistance, pastoral care and
volunteers.

 Congregations and other community groups are
also encouraged to assemble "Gifts of the Heart"
health and cleanup kits, sent to the CWS New
Windsor, Md. warehouse: New Windsor CWS Service
Center, 500 Main Street, New Windsor, MD 21776-0188.
Call 1-800-456-1310 for information on assembling
the kits.

 Church World Service works in more than 70
countries around the world including the United
States in relief, development and refugee
assistance.  It is a ministry of the Church World
Service and Witness Unit of the National Council of
Churches.

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