July 24, 2008

URGENT APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are urgently needed for these dates and locations:

Rushford, Minnesota:	August 10-16
Chalmette, Louisiana:	August 17-23
	September 7-13

To volunteer for these dates, please call Brethren Disaster Ministries, 800-451-4407.

MIDWEST FLOODS

Iowa: Zach Wolgemuth, BDM associate director, visited the flood-impacted area of eastern Iowa in early July and met with Northern Plains District executive Tim Button-Harrison, district disaster response coordinator Gary Gahm, and several representatives from the South Waterloo, Ivester, Hammond Ave. and Cedar Rapids congregations. He encouraged the church leaders to become involved in the Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) process and offered BDM’s assistance to Northern Plains as an informational resource as well as equipment and/or additional monetary support as plans for recovery take shape. Meeting participants plan to identify congregational contacts who will collaborate to spearhead the formation of a broader response plan for the Brethren in the flood area.

Indiana: In the South/Central Indiana District, Rev. Chuck Berdel, pastor of Christ Our Shepherd Church of the Brethren, has been heavily involved in the LTRC that is coordinating long-term recovery efforts for flood survivors in Johnson County. He reports that their Construction Committee is quickly moving forward with planning while homes are still drying out. Pastor Chuck plans to attend a “Recovery Tools & Training” workshop sponsored by Church World Service on July 31. “I am very humbled and wish to represent Christ Our Shepherd and our denomination well as we heal here from all the devastation,” he says.

Other Disasters: The Texas-Mexico coastline has just been slammed by the first hurricane landfall of the season. Hurricane Dolly was merely a Category 1 storm but still dumped a lot of rain. We’ll keep you apprized if any response is needed by BDM. Meanwhile, wildfires are raging in several states. By mid-July, California had seen 2,093 fires, with 43 fires still active, and 887,315 acres had been burned. Amazingly, only 101 residences were destroyed, and BDM action there is not likely needed.

RUSHFORD, MINNESOTA FLOOD RECOVERY

Volunteers are needed to work on complete rebuilds! BDM has committed to doing six complete rebuilds in Rushford. Our goal is to work on 3 or 4 houses at once, in various stages. Full work crews of 15 persons are needed to reach this goal. Please appeal to your churches for more volunteers if you do not have a full crew. Skilled workers are a plus.

Volunteer Housing and Meals: Housing is at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (a.k.a. Camp St. Mark) and an adjacent parsonage. 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 being provided by the community only until the end of August. Important: AS OF AUGUST 31, VOLUNTEER GROUPS WILL NEED TO INCLUDE A COOK.

Transportation: Volunteers may 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: Right now, three new homes are in process in Rushford, and the foundation is being started on the fourth one. The drywall hanging is all finished in the first house; the second house has been insulated; and the third house was framed up in early July. 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.

CHALMETTE, LOUISIANA: HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY

Chalmette is in St. Bernard Parish, where Katrina caused the levee failures that inundated homes throughout the parish with 6-20 feet of water for over 2 weeks. Over 200 parish residents lost their lives, and 100% percent of the homes were officially declared "uninhabitable."

Work to Be Done: Volunteers are doing major repair work including insulation, drywall, laminate flooring, roofing, painting, trim work, etc. - just the basics to allow people to get back into their homes.

Volunteer Housing: BDM now has two housing options available at this project. Most volunteers will be lodged in the Volunteer House, but some groups may need to stay in the Bunk Trailer depending on numbers.

Bunk Trailer: This 48-foot trailer was transformed into 3 sleeping rooms by Shenandoah District volunteers. It is located at the Carolyn Park Presbyterian Church in Arabi, just a few miles from Chalmette. Each room sleeps five, with two bunk beds and one single bed. Twelve volunteers can be accommodated comfortably; 15 is tight. Upper bunks are accessible with ladders. The trailer is accessible by seven steps. Bathrooms are located in the church. The BDM “Rolling Waters” shower trailer is accessible at the Volunteer House, about 6 blocks away.

Volunteer House: The Volunteer House has been refurbished and is now housing volunteers. The house is equipped with bunk beds.

Note: All volunteers should bring their own bedding, pillows and towels. Pillows are provided for groups flying to the project.

Volunteer Meals: Meals are being served in the Volunteer House kitchen. Important: COOKS WILL BE NEEDED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.