wfn.org | Flood Relief Center

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (115
notes).

Note 111 by UMNS on May 22, 1997 at 17:07 Eastern (2902 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Bloom                              299(10-71B){111}
          New York (212) 870-3803                     May 22, 1997

United Methodists establish center
in Grand Forks for flood recovery

by Donna Fisher*

     FARGO (UMNS) -- A center to assist Red River Valley flood
victims has been established at Wesley United Methodist Church in
Grand Forks, N.D.
     The C.A.R.E. (Cleaning and Reconstruction Efforts) center is
a joint project of United Methodists in the Dakotas and Minnesota
and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), according to
Bishop Michael Coyner, here.
     A toll-free hotline linking disaster victims and people who
want to help has been established. The number is (888) 800-6200.
     "Everyone is emphasizing that this will be a long-term
effort," Coyner said. "We are initially planning for two years,
but it could be longer."
     C.A.R.E.'s board of directors has hired Nina Martin, a former
missionary long involved in relief and mission work, as its
full-time disaster response coordinator. Lori Hein, former
economic development officer for Rapid City, N.D., has been hired
as part-time coordinator of the volunteer work teams that will
assist people in restoring their homes. Martin will work out of
the office here and Hein will work with volunteers in Grand Forks.
     According to Coyner, more than 120 work teams have
volunteered to help in the Red River Valley with several teams
already at work in Grand Forks, scene of the most disastrous
flooding.
     On May 19, a UMCOR warehouse donated by the Cass County
Highway Department opened here to receive supplies and donated
materials for the next four months. Jim Dustin, a 35-year veteran
of the warehouse and trucking business, has been hired as
full-time director of resources.
     Coyner said the Dakotas Conference plans to build or buy
another warehouse for long-term needs. Many truckloads of
materials already have arrived at another UMCOR warehouse
operating out of Minneapolis.
     The Rev. David Mack in South Dakota and Lou Weckerly in North
Dakota, conference disaster response coordinators, are developing
policies and procedures for victims who apply for assistance.    
     Because of the harsh winter and extensive flooding throughout
the region, Coyner said applications may uncover a need for
assistance beyond the Red River Valley.  "As that is discovered,
we will work to match those needs and volunteers in the same way
we are doing in the valley," he said.
     Donations can be made to the United Methodist Bishops' Appeal
for the 1997 Spring Floods and Storms, Advance No. 901680-3.
                              #  #  #

     * Fisher is editor of the "Dakotas Connection."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------