See below updates on west coast wildfires and the gulf hurricanes. These disaster events are ongoing and in early stages. Affected conferences and congregations are still assessing the needs. UCC Disaster Ministries focuses on recovery following the disaster events. The best immediate response is to contribute financially and allow the UCC and local Disaster Coordinators to determine the best, most immediate use of financial resources.
Support UCC Disaster Ministries financially through the following link (you can designate your gift to hurricanes or wildfires).
There is an urgent need for Clean-up Buckets. Your congregation can build buckets and send them or contribute funds for Clean-up Buckets (matching grants are available for funding buckets). If you build buckets they must be shipped to a distribution site which can be costly because we are not located near them. Contact our Disaster Coordinator Phil Shea for assistance on sending buckets at a reduced mailing cost (philofthedesert@yahoo.com). See link below for Clean-up Buckets.
Volunteer with the American Red Cross in the Hurricane areas. See the hurricane update below for more information on volunteering. If you volunteer please inform the Conference office or our Disaster Coordinator (philofthedesert@yahoo.com).
Oregon Wildfire Update
We received an update on the fires in Oregon today (9/18) during our national Disaster Coordinator meeting. Many congregation members near the Fort Hood fires had to evacuate. In the mid-coastal area (Beaver Creak and Smyrna) two converging fires resulted in evacuations. In the Ashland and Medford areas community members were on prepare to evacuate status. In all, 4 of 5 pastors had to evacuate. Several families lost everything. The damage in Beaver Creek is unknown. There has also been a huge impact on farmworkers. Their migrant camps have been destroyed. These farmworkers are often not supported financially during recovery due to their status. An additional challenge for them is many do not speak English or Spanish but some other indigenous language. The Conference is not staffed to respond and has begun setting up a team to help with their response.
Hurricane Update and American Red Cross Request for Volunteers
Information of hurricanes Laura and Sally is still coming in. The American Red Cross is asking its disaster partners for volunteers and will provide training. Training to deployment can occur as quickly as one week. The SWC partners with the Red Cross through our membership in the Arizona and New Mexico Volunteer Organization Active in Disasters (VOAD).
To inquire or volunteer please click here.