Initial Response to September 2011 Floods

From the reports received by the Upper Susquehanna Synod Staff, it appears that Bloomsburg (Columbia County) and Montoursville (Lycoming County) have been the hardest hit in our synod by flooding, but of course numerous other communities throughout our territory are recovering from the flooding, too.  Places such as Danville, Milton, Herndon, Sunbury, Northumberland, and Selinsgrove have had significant damage, and many other places have smaller-scale, yet still personally significant losses.  According to information gathered by Karl-John Stone, Assistant to the Bishop, here are things that congregations can do right now to help:

 

1.  Gather items for “clean-up kits:”

  • Rugged Rubber Gloves
  • Rubber (farm-type) Boots (St. John, Espy reports these gloves and boots would be a “godsend”)
  • 5 gallon Buckets
  • Duct tape
  • Shovels
  • Industrial brooms
  • Clorox
  • Clothesline
  • Work Gloves
  • Hand cleaner
  • Masks
  • Paper towels
  • Tarps (to protect areas cleaned up and prevent further damage)
  • Flashlights (with batteries)

 

2.  Gather these items:

  • Dehumidifiers
  • Power washers (once water is restored)

 

To address these clean-up needs immediately—if you or your church can collect the items listed above, they can be used in the hardest hit areas right away.  In Bloomsburg, you may bring them directly to Agape Ministry, 19 East 7th Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 (www.agapelovefromabove.org) or to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9 St. Luke’s Way, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 (www.stlukesway.org)

 

In Montoursville, the outpouring to the distribution site at Our Lady of Lourdes has been tremendous.

At the present time, donations are not needed at Our Lady of Lourdes, but may be in the future.

 

As soon as possible—we will be coordinating drop-off spots for needed clean-up items in various locations in the synod, which will then be transported to areas of greatest need.  St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Shamokin Dam, Snyder County, has already indicated their willingness to be a collection site.  If no one is present, items can be left in their vestibule at the rear entrance to the church, and they will transport it to Bloomsburg as quickly as possible.  Please call the church office at St. Matthew’s for more information at (570) 743-3052 or email Pastor Wayne Muthler (pwayne@ptd.net).

 

3.  Tell victims about Clothing Availability:

If people need clothing it is available at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg, and Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomsburg.  Please DO NOT BRING clothing to St. Luke’s or Wesley at this time—wait until there is a requested need for clothing.  Please share with others that clothing is available.  Some items are needed more than others.  Please make sure that whatever you donate are items that are needed now, so that storage facilities and work crews don’t end up with lots of things they can’t use.

 

4.  Volunteer for a Work Crews in the Bloomsburg area:

Bloomsburg is the first place where they are already able to receive volunteers.  If you have a team of volunteers that would like to help out in the next few days, Agape Ministry in Bloomsburg is coordinating the placement of volunteers with people who need help.  To register a work crew, fill out this application:  http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Flood-Relief-Volunteer-AGAPE-Bloomsburg.pdf.  If you have a need for help, fill out this form:  http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Flood-Victim-application-AGAPE-Bloomsburg.pdf.  For more information check out their website www.agapelovefromabove.org.

 

5.  If you are a Nurse, Staff a Shelter

The Red Cross shelter in Berwick is looking for nurses to be present during each shift at the shelter.

 

6.  Know about Long-Term Recovery Efforts

In the long term—Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is not a “first-responder” but is committed to the relief effort for the long term.  In Pennsylvania, LDR is led by the Rev. Cindy Camp, based in Allentown.  LDR works with local social ministry organizations to provide the needed relief efforts, and in that way to be “on the ground” in the aftermath of a natural disaster.  In the Upper Susquehanna Synod, LDR’s lead partner is Diakon Lutheran Social Services, and through Diakon they work with the synod office and congregations of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, as well as other social ministry organizations.  While there are certain lead partners for LDR, in a very real sense, all of us working together in whatever ways we are able is the Lutheran Disaster Response.  Lutheran Disaster Response is “on the scene” through us.  Diakon’s Emergency Services Coordinator for the Upper Susquehanna Synod is Gary Hutchinson of South Williamsport.  He is making the needed connections to facilitate relief efforts in the affected communities.  LDR has released initial grants of $2,500 and $10,000 for Diakon to use in our synod’s flood relief effort.  At this point, Lutheran Disaster Response does not have a need to shelter volunteers coming from a distance; however, they may have a need for beds in the future.  Thank you to those who have already provided leads for the housing of volunteers.

 

7.  Make a Monetary Donation

Monetary donations for flood recovery for Lutheran Disaster Response may be made to the Upper Susquehanna Synod, PO Box 36, Lewisburg, PA 17837.  Write “Flood Recovery” in the memo line.  These donations are a priority for the long-term recovery effort.

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