wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 287-United Methodists gear up for Missouri flood relief

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United Methodists gear up for Missouri flood relief

Jul. 10, 2008    News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*   New York {287}

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org

>A UMNS Report By Susan J. Meister*

Dawn Martin pointed out one flooded home after another in Winfield and  Foley, Mo. "One of 'my kids' lives there," she said, sadly.

For the two weeks in June before the earthen levees failed in the river  towns along the Mississippi River, residents anticipated the coming  floods and packed, moved and stored as many of their possessions as  possible.

Martin, youth director at nearby St. Stephen United Methodist Church in  Troy, wanted to make sure the kids in her youth group got out of their  homes and had a place to stay. Now that floodwaters have inundated their  homes and so many others in the area, she is motivated to be part of the  long-term recovery effort.

"I want to help find the families that need help but might not ask," she  said. "I want to help them find the resources they need."

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, in close cooperation with the  denomination's Missouri Annual (regional) Conference, has begun the long  process of recovery in the river towns of Lincoln County. The effort  will draw on people like Martin as well as resources and organizations  throughout the community.

>Regional disaster

The flooding, about 45 miles northwest of St. Louis, occurred in late  June as the Mississippi River rose above flood stage. Missouri's  overflow was part of a region-wide pattern of heavy spring rains that  also caused severe flooding in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Water spilled into hundreds of homes and thousands of acres of farmland  in the 13-mile stretch along the river between Elsberry and Winfield.  Residents were waiting for waters to recede to begin damage assessment,  cleanup and repair. And, with levees no longer protecting the towns,  they anxiously watched forecasts for additional heavy rains.

Jeff Baker, staff with the Missouri Conference Office of Creative  Ministries, is ready to deploy volunteers when the time is right.  "Because this area has been declared for (FEMA) individual assistance,  we don't want to just run in and help because we could jeopardize the  families' ability to receive funds," he said. "When the long-term  recovery committee is in place, we will begin asking for volunteers in  mission to help rebuild."

>Long-term recovery

In the meantime, Martin, Baker and others are cooperating with Sts.  Joachim and Ann Care Service, the lead agency for long-term recovery in  Lincoln, St. Charles, Warren, Montgomery and Pike counties. Sts. Joachim  and Ann has a long association with UMCOR, most recently as one of the  agencies funded by Katrina Aid Today, a case-management program that  helped local families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"Lincoln County was the most affected (by recent flooding)," said Miriam  Mahan, executive director. "We are educating all the officials and  organizations. Things are coming together beautifully. We are meeting  with the 'movers and shakers' in the community, recruiting volunteer  case managers, and finding places to distribute food and cleaning  supplies."

As long-term recovery begins, the work of case managers is critical as  they encourage families to register with FEMA and other agencies to  access assistance. They help connect those affected with resources and  volunteer labor.

UMCOR is recognized as the leader in the techniques of disaster case  management. Karen Benson, Missouri Conference disaster response  coordinator, will conduct the first training class for case managers in  Hannibal on July 12.

>Connecting and responding

"Of course I had heard of UMCOR, but I didn't realize how the  connectional system worked until the floods," Martin said. "Within two  hours, nearby United Methodist churches delivered 350 meals to  sandbagging crews. And UMCOR is so respected in disaster response  circles. It is amazing."

"Missouri is following a proven path of local response with UMCOR  partnership," said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, executive for domestic  disaster response. "UMCOR brings money, consultation, training and  volunteer coordination to the table.

"While other volunteer organizations focus on rescue and initial relief,  UMCOR takes a holistic approach that tries to touch people's lives  throughout the process. United Methodists are involved in everything  from delivering meals, to helping with sandbags beforehand to mucking  out the houses and focusing on long-term recovery after the disaster."

Donations to help those affected by floods can be made to UMCOR Advance  #901670, Domestic Disaster Response, Midwest Floods. Drop checks in  church offering plates or mail them directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068,  New York, NY 10087. Write Advance #901670 Midwest Flooding Relief on the  memo line. Credit-card donations can be made by calling (800) 554-8583  or online at www.givetomission.org.

Up to 10 percent of gifts for Midwest flooding may be used to repair  United Methodist churches and their facilities that were not insured for  catastrophic losses.

># # #

*Meister is domestic disaster response correspondent for UMCOR. 
********************

United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org

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