Puerto Rico (Hurricanes Irma and Maria)
A SWC Work Team trip in conjunction with other volunteers from around the country is still planned for June 13-20. We need 2-3 more members. San Juan is far away from the epicenter so it hasn't been affected at all. The airport is open and has remained so. A UCC mission group there now and they are continuing to work near the camp. UCC mission groups are working only in the north and western parts of the island – areas not affected by the earthquake. We have plenty of work for our volunteers. Experts say that Puerto Rico will be getting aftershocks for a while but that they will diminish over time in intensity. These tremors are continuing in the southern part of the island and can be felt slightly in the north and east and these will continue according to seismic geologists. Ponce is another thing entirely. Downtown Ponce is almost destroyed, many of the old historic buildings are ruined. The same in Guayanilla, Peñuelas, and Guanica.
If you would like more information, please contact Phil at philofthedesert@yahoo.com.
Florida Panhandle (Hurricane Michael)
Volunteers are being recruited now to help repair and rebuild homes in the Florida Panhandle. Hurricane Michael caused extensive damage when it made landfall there as a Category 4 storm in October 2018. The storm's heavy rain, high winds, and extreme storm surges caused massive destruction in its path and spawned numerous tornadoes. Work is in Bay and Washington counties, which suffered significant home, crop and tree damage. The work is a variety. Roofing is a number one priority. All skill levels of volunteers are accepted. Groups are matched up with work that is suitable to their talents. Click here for more information and to volunteer.
Volusia County, Florida (Hurricanes Irma & Matthew)
Repair/Rebuild homes. Roofing, gutting interiors, replacing insulation, siding, drywall repair and painting, flooring and other interior work as needed. Click here for more information and to volunteer
California Fires
UCC Disaster Ministries has been in conversation with the long-term recovery group in Paradise, CA for nearly a year now as they inch towards being ready to do some rebuilding in that location (this is where the devastating wildfires were in Nov. 2018). Throughout the year we provide immediate support to multiple churches as they do immediate response after/during wildfires as well. The Emergency USA Fund is what allows us to be able to provide funds to disasters that aren’t large enough to merit dedicated responses or national attention, but still need support, like the myriad fires in California in 2019.