Fox Valley Disaster Relief Updates - August 24th
Lutheran Disaster Response defines disaster as “an event beyond the control of those affected, which causes great harm, suffering, and damage and for which those who are affected need outside assistance in order to sustain and rebuild their lives.”
One of the key learnings leaders in our synod have experienced as we walk with neighbors in the fox valley is the sheer amount of resources that are available to help neighbors recover. We are blessed to have resources available to us even BEFORE disaster strikes. In the resource, “Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebook,” congregations can proactively work to make a plan for if and when disaster becomes local to your community.
Last week we shared an update on how the “local disaster relief” funds will begin to be distributed. Your generosity is making a profound impact. Thank you for what you have shared. These funds will be collected through the end of September via the synod; then we would encourage donations to be directed to local partners doing work on the ground or Lutheran Disaster Response.
With God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday scheduled for September 13th; we’re excited to share an idea for a service project that could be done in any congregation with people at any age. “Notes for Neighbors” is seeking to collect letters of all kinds that can be distributed throughout the community to share a word of encouragement. You can learn more about the logistics of that project here.
Give. Serve. Learn. Pray. Receive Support.
Give. The city of Menasha has expressed that they are at capacity for in-kind donations. Money continues to be the very best way to support recovery. There are many ways to give…
You can give through the East Central Synod of Wisconsin’s “Local Disaster Relief” fund online or by mailing a check indication that purpose: PO Box 10385 Green Bay, WI 54307.
You can give to Lutheran Disaster Response using their bulletin insert information or by sharing their giving link.
You can look for a local organization like United Way Fox Cities and donate directly.
Serve. The municipalities have asked people to not self deploy.
Volunteer Fox Cities is currently organizing and deploying volunteers where there is need.
Notes for Neighbors: A Tornado Recovery Kindness Project is a way to share a word of encouragement in communities hit the hardest.
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah invites you to help them feed the volunteers from Rapid Response America as they will be hosted by St. Paul’s for 1-2 months. Here is a link with more information where you can sign up to help.
Learn. Lutheran Disaster response hosted a webinar, “Introduction to Disaster Response” on Thursday, 8/6 - a link to the recording may be found here.
Lutheran Disaster Response Training and Engagement Catalog and online learning platform share considerable resources for individuals and congregations to engage in learning and disaster preparedness. A Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide is also available.
Pray. Entrust those who have been impacted the most into God’s care. Pray for them to be sustained in the longer journey of recovery. Pray for children to find safe places to play. Pray and individuals working to find temporary housing. Pray for people experiencing trauma from this event.
Support: Disaster Distress Helpline, a 24/7 hotline to talk with a trained counselor: 1.800.985.5990. It’s multilingual, confidential and free.
