Update on Midwest flooding from the Illinois VOAD (Volunteers Organizations Active in Disaster)

Representatives from across the state (see below for listing) teleconferenced regarding Midwest floods occurring in Illinois.

Nineteen counties have received state declarations and state resources (see www.il.state.us/iema and michelle.hannekin @ illinois).

There have been two fatalities, occurring in Jefferson County when two residents entered the water.

The Red Cross has been active sheltering and feeding, the Illinois Coalition for Community Services has five staff members working in response in multiple communities, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has a team that has begun mudout/cleanup in Harrisburg, the Adventists are collecting clean-up kits.

There is a lot of activity; at this time the state reports no unmet needs.

Resources available from IL VOAD members include these:

Clean-up and/or hygiene kits:

United Church of Christ (Ben McNeal at aandbmc AT msn)

Church World Service (Lura Cayton at lcayton AT churchworldservice)

Southern Illinois Adventist Disaster Response (Robert Bradley at robertandcharlotte AT yahoo)

Clean-up crews:

American Baptist Men (Mac Shotwell at macs AT warpnet)

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (Jack Shelby at Jack.shelby AT insightbb)

More news on Midwest flooding from New Windsor office:

There are no damage estimates yet, as water is still rising in many  areas. We'll continue monitoring this as the water recedes.

Missouri and Arkansas:

Carolyn Schrock, district executive, said a lot of roads are washed  out, so they will at least get FEMA public assistance. Will let us know as  she learns more. As much as 12 inches of rain fell here. Two levees  along the Black River near Poplar Bluff broke on Wednesday afternoon. The  river is approaching record levels of more than 33 feet above normal  at the town of Galena, Mo. Seventy counties affected in Mo., 23 declared  in Ark.

Pat Dennison spoke to Roger Schrock and he indicated that it appears  that low farmland was affected. Even in the bootheel area they were high  enough to not be in it.  He said they are calling this a 100 year  flood.

Illinois:

This flooding is in the southern tip of the state.

Clareen Dunn will check on conditions. She and Jim live about 100 miles north of the  flooded area. In Harrisburg, IL, The Daily Register on 3/19 reported that,  "Flood waters are pouring into the Ohio and the morning reading was 41.6  feet and is estimated to raise to 49.5 feet by March 27th."  So, the  worst is yet to come. Some residents have been evacuated out of  Harrisburg and Shawneetown. The Saline River will be a concern.

Indiana:

Four southern Indiana counties affected, with cities such as  Evansville, Paoli, Bedford and Bloomington. Many streams and rivers experiencing  rising water from 7.7 inches of rain. The biggest problem so far seems  to be flooded roads, but rivers are expected to continue rising over  the next few days. Evansville sits on the Ohio and is vulnerable as that  rivers rises.

Ohio:

Flooding is south of Dayton. Pat and Dick Via, district coordinators,  are in Chalmette this week. Pat suggested I call Cincinnati CoB pastor.

Also called S. Ohio district office, talked to Gloria Ruemping. She  will let us know if she hears of any needs. She gave me number for  Cincinnati CoB pastor, Roger Cruser. I left a message at his house. This area  got about 4-6 inches of rain. Based on Ohio EMA sit rep, this flooding  does not seem to be as severe as some of the other affected states.

Clean Up Buckets

Church World Service is appealing for Clean Up Buckets in response to growing demand. See information below

CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets Needed

Recent floods across the central U.S. again highlight the need for CWS  Emergency Clean-up Buckets. Demand has eclipsed supply of these vital  items as CWS tries to meet the needs of damaged communities. Assembling  kits is a great project for any church or community group.

More information on CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets is available at:

http://www.churchworldservice.org/kits/cleanup-kits.html.

Flooding in Arkansas prompted a request from the Arkansas Presbytery  for 96 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets, which was fulfilled at a value of  $4,320.

Brethren Disaster Ministries thanks you for your support of this  appeal.

MINNESOTA PROJECT UPDATE

Here's the latest on the Rushford, Minn. flood recovery project.  Zach  Wolgemuth made a trip to Rushford earlier this month to evaluate the feasibility of turning this into a long-term project.

He met with the local recovery organization (Lutheran Social Services/Lutheran Disaster Response) in particular to discuss the possibility of working on some  total rebuilds for flood survivors.

The LSS/LDR staff informed him that there are 8 total rebuilds  confirmed, and they are aiming to have at least one or two foundations done by  the first of May.  Thereafter, our goal would be to work on 3 or 4  houses at once, in various stages. Also, LSS/LDR has hired a construction  coordinator, which is a plus for us. There are still some repair jobs to  be done as well.

Volunteer Housing and Meals: 

Housing will continue to be at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and an  adjacent parsonage, at least through August..

Volunteers sleep on bunks with mattresses. Volunteers should bring their own bedding or sleeping bag and towels. Housing may be shared with other volunteer groups. Cooked  meals are provided for both breakfast and lunch.

Supper may consist of sandwiches or a cooked meal from a local church.

Transportation: 

Volunteers will need to use their own vehicles on project to go back  and forth between the housing facility and the work site. Volunteers can  be reimbursed for project-related fuel costs or mileage upon request.

Work/Tools: 

Work will consist of but may not be limited to insulation, drywall,  flooring, cabinets, and painting. Beginning in May, some total rebuilds  will be ready to be started. The Illinois & Wisconsin District tool  trailer is on site, and certain tools are being provided by the long-term  recovery group. Volunteers are welcome to bring some of their own tools.

Required Forms:  

Brethren Disaster Ministries is working closely with Lutheran Disaster  Response (LDR) on this project.  LDR has requested that all volunteers  fill out the Volunteer Application and the Liability Form. The BDM  Volunteer Registration and release forms are also required

Interested volunteers can contact tatrier AT yahoo. 

Dear Disaster Response Leaders,

I wanted to share this very touching thank-you that was received from a Katrina survivor in Louisiana. I hope you will be as moved as I was by his heartfelt expression of gratitude and glowing commendation of our volunteers. It's so gratifying and humbling to receive a note like this, I wanted to share it with you.

May our Resurrected Lord bless you this Easter,

Jane

>>>>

I am living in Louisiana. We were severely impacted by Katrina and are receiving amazing help from a group of Brethren from all over the country. I am touched by their service, concern and compassion. After feeling helpless for such a long time, and seeing these people come from out of nowhere to do the impossible to rebuild the homes and lives of my family, I am simply left speechless by what has happened. I am a Southern Baptist and have been a follower of Christ for five years.

Nowhere have I seen such compassion and sacrifice. The brethren that I have met truly are amazing representatives of Christ and stand as the salt of the earth. I love the COB's message of service, compassion and fellowship. I love the message of living a simple, humble and happy life. I can't see things any other way. I regret that there are no COB churches where I live. All I can say is thanks for the help that we are receiving from your church. This has answered years of daily prayers and lifted a terrible burden from my shoulders.

Thank You.

Adam A.
Slidell, LA

NEW NAMES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS

For some time now, the Emergency Response staff has been discussing changing the names of the Emergency Response programs, since “Emergency Response/Service Ministries” does not identify us as a Brethren organization, nor does it accurately identify what we do. Also, Service Ministries (material resources) is actually a separate program. The new name that has been decided upon and approved is “Brethren Disaster Ministries,” which we feel more adequately reflects who we are and what our mission is.

Also undergoing a name change is Disaster Child Care, which seems to carry the connotation of a babysitting service rather than helping children cope following disasters. The new name will be “Children’s Disaster Services,” which encompasses the expanding services we provide now and hope to include in the future.

Slight modifications are being made to the logos of both programs. The new names and logos will become effective in the coming months.

“Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant … just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”
Matthew 20: 26b, 28a

WE HAVE A DISASTER RESPONSE TOOL TRAILER!!!

By Carolyn and Tim Trier 3/7/07

Last month we were blessed with the opportunity to buy the tool trailer for $2000 under our projected estimate! Guy Ball from Dixon Church of the Brethren (and our Leadership Team) knew a man in Ashton selling a white trailer that met our requirements. Tim, Paul Skoog and Guy all went to inspect the trailer, and though used, found it in good condition and paid $3000 from our disaster tool trailer fund to purchase the trailer. The trailer is now plated and insured and being warehoused in Milledgeville by Paul. Paul is planning to build out shelving in the trailer.

The trailer is 7 feet by 16 feet with plywood interior walls (one of our requirements was to be able to attach shelves). It is tandem axle with utility doors on the back. It also has a hitch lock.

We are planning to have it available for use at the Douglas Park Work Day April 28! Come out and join the fun! Thanks and blessings to this district for the enthusiastic support of the tool trailer.

**Urgent Announcement**

The Ilinois/Wisconsin District has been asked to assist in the Rockford long term recovery project. We were invited to the group project planning meeting this past week. As you may remember, Rockford was hit with a surprise flood at the end of this summer. The result of that flood was damage to 500 homes. 300 of these homes are still in disrepair. The city estimates at least 100 are in urgent need of repair, going into winter with no heat or plumbing and damaged electrical systems. See the following links for further information.

Tool Trailer Fund Request

Press Release

**SPONSOR A TOOL**

District Conference was very exciting this year. We presented the ‘District Tool Trailer’ project being driven by Paul Skoog out of Milledgeville, Dutchtown. (Paul is the man who made the great signs! He was sorry he couldn’t attend conference but was happy to hear how well it went). The feedback was very positive. We have raised over $4500 towards funding a tool trailer. As we announced at Conference, we are posting the tool trailer spreadsheet for those interested in sponsoring a tool, you should see a link on this page.

Please link to the spreadsheet and find a tool with a price you’d like to sponsor. Send us a note by email and mail District a check and we are all set. Note on your check that it is for ‘disaster tools’ so that we make sure to get it posted to the tool trailer fund.

Send an email with questions or donation information to Paul Skoog or Tim Trier.

Make check payable to IL/WI District.

Mail to:

York Center COB
Attn: Duane Steiner
1 S. 071 Luther Ave.
Lombard, IL 60148

We are willing to send a gift card if you sponsor a tool as a Christmas gift for someone, let us know the name and address of the person to whom you are sending the gift (be sure to include your name and address too).

**DISASTER TRIP UPDATE**

We had 14 volunteers step forward for the November 12 – 18 trip to Louisiana. The response was fantastic. We had quite a few calls in response to newspaper items that people saw about the trip. Thanks to all for your support and cooperation, this was the easiest trip we have filled so far! We have a few names on reserve that are interested in future trips too!

Our next Louisiana trip is slotted for February 18-24, we have most of those slots filled. The next open slot is the week of March 25-31; we could reserve this slot as a District if we get at least 8 confirmed volunteers.

The Pensacola Florida project is moving to McComb, Mississippi just east of the Louisiana border. Slots are open April 1-7, April 8- 14, and April 22-28.

There are open slots in the Lucedale, Mississippi schedule April 15 -21 and April 22 – 28.

If any churches are interested in scheduling a group to fill these slots please contact Tim and Carolyn. Click here for further project information.

Blessings to all who support this ministry.