wfn.org | Lutherans Continue Relief Work after Tropical Storm Allison

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 13, 2001

LUTHERANS CONTINUE RELIEF WORK AFTER TROPICAL STORM ALLISON
01-290-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod, provided $50,000 in November to support
recovery efforts in Houston, after floods resulting from Tropical
Storm Allison struck an area from Texas to Florida June 9-10.
     "Houston was the most affected area," said the Rev. Gilbert B.
Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
     More than 3,600 houses were destroyed, 10,735 houses had major
damage, and 34,102 had minor damage in Houston, Furst reported.  More
than 800 Lutheran families from 60 congregations had flood damage, he
said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lutheran Social
Services of the South, which is managing response efforts in Texas
and Louisiana, and with Allison Recovery Initiative, which consists
of more than 100 community, faith-based, government and nonprofit
organizations, Furst said.  "Case management is proceeding, and
emergency funds are distributed.  A huge warehouse, managed by
Seventh-Day Adventists, is about to open.  It will hold repair and
rebuilding supplies for volunteers," he said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response staff in Texas plan to provide "Camp
Noah," a week-long day camp for children traumatized by disaster.
More than 10,000 children in the Houston area have been impacted by
Tropical Storm Allison, reported Furst.
     "God's people, indeed, are present and active in the Houston
area.  Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to be present for the
long haul in this large natural disaster, offering help and hope and
bringing God's blessings to thousands who were affected by this June
flooding," Furst said.
     "Although it is almost five months since Allison flooded this
area, volunteers are still needed to help with cleaning up and
clearing out water-ruined houses," he said.
     To help residents in Houston, Furst said the following items
are needed:
+ Blankets and quilts.  "The nights are getting colder in Houston.
Many of the affected homes, especially those of the elderly, have
little or no insulation," Furst said.
+ Teddy bears and/or Beanie Babies.  With more than "10,000 children
affected by this huge flood, parents will need help to provide
Christmas gifts for their children," he said.
     "Please do not send material donations to the New York City
area, since they are inundated" with these gifts, Furst said.  In New
York, Lutheran Disaster Response has been providing care, counseling
and assistance to survivors and their families, along with
coordinating immediate and long-term recovery efforts, after
terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and damaged
the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.
     "As always, prayers sustain and strengthen those who have felt
the chaos of disasters, as well as those who respond," Furst said.
- - -
Packages/shipments of blankets and Teddy Bears must be sent no later
than Dec. 7 to:

Lutheran Disaster Response
17211 North Freeway
Houston, Texas   77090

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to
survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or
the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL  60694-1764
1-800-638-3522

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