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Progress continues for disaster recovery in Kansas
Some residents of Greensburg are moving into the FEMA trailers set up on the south side of town. (photo by Susan Cooper) |
Written: 8/17/2007
HAVILAND�United Methodists have been quick to respond to the storms and flooding in the Kansas West Conference with action, donations and prayer.
The Kansas West Conference disaster-response committee has been working from the onset of the disasters with other volunteer organizations, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the American Red Cross and Church World Service, as well as FEMA to provide organized and responsible relief and recovery.
The Kansas West United Methodist Recovery Center in Haviland is coordinating all United Methodist volunteer efforts and providing case management for storm victims in the Kansas West Conference.
Louise Reimer is the new site management director of the recovery center, who will coordinate volunteer teams and oversee the center�s efforts.
Sandy Hendrickson is the new, part-time disaster response coordinator for the Kansas West Conference.
The conference also has a full-time case worker, Linda Broce, to assist storm survivors in t
The Kwik Shop convenience store in Greensburg has reopened for business. (photo by Susan Cooper) |
Reimer, Hendrickson and Broce may be contacted through the recovery center in Haviland at 620-862-5422.
Volunteers needed
As the work in the five-county area progresses from the clean-up phase to repair and rebuilding, volunteer teams are needed for long-term rebuilding.
Accommodations for volunteers with RVs have been made, and other sleeping arrangements are available.
To volunteer, contact the center at 620-862-5422 or click to email UMC Recovery Center. Work teams should be scheduled at least one week in advance.
Donations
Donations to the Kansas Area Disaster Relief Fund and Rebuilding Kansas Churches Fund may be made online through the conference website at www.kswestumc.org or by sending checks to the Kansas West Conference office at 9440 E. Boston Suite 110, Wichita KS 67207. All checks should be payable to the Kansas West Conference and have �Area Disaster Fund� or �Rebuilding Kansas Churches� on the memo line to indicate the purpose of the donation.
All donations to the disaster relief fund are used to assist storm victims. Administrative expenses and staff salaries are paid by a grant from UMCOR and other funds.
Financial disaster assistance
For those affected by the recent disasters, financial-assistance request forms and criteria can be found on the Kansas West Conference website, www.kswestumc.org, in the Disaster Response section. The requests need to be submitted by a United Methodist pastor who has visited with the victims. The Kansas Area Disaster Response Fund can provide assistance to fill in the gaps after survivors have received assistance from other sources such as insurance, FEMA, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. After the requests are written, they should be sent to the recovery center in Haviland.