wfn.org | Lutherans Assists Tornado Survivors in Oklahoma and Kansas

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 4, 1999

LUTHERANS ASSISTS TORNADO SURVIVORS IN OKLAHOMA AND KANSAS
99-120-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Domestic Disaster Response of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will provide emergency
assistance to survivors of tornadoes that struck Oklahoma and Kansas May
3.
     Initial reports indicate that at least "45 lives were lost and
more than 1,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed," said the Rev.
Gilbert B. Furst, director for the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.
Dozens of tornadoes swept through  Oklahoma City and its suburbs.  The
same storm system produced tornadoes in southern Kansas.
     Furst said emergency supplies will be provided to volunteers who
will help with the initial cleanup of debris.  The ELCA will respond to
the disaster through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of the
ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Furst is director for LDR.
     "Response efforts will be managed by Lutheran Social Services of
Kansas/Oklahoma in Wichita," said Furst.  "Bernice Karstensen, president
of Lutheran Social Services of Kansas/Oklahoma, is on the scene and has
already begun assessment and response.  More information will be
available as damage assessment continues," said Furst.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html