The Joplin Globe had a great article today on Joplin recovery effort following the May 22, 2011 tornado that hit the city. The topic of the article is “the warehouse” an aptly named, well, warehouse that means more to its local community than the unassuming name implies. The warehouse is the staging ground for much of the recovery efforts carried out in Joplin, including that of Lutheran Disaster Response.

Through the doors of this building have walked thousands of volunteers from all over the country who have come to help. Also highlighted is Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS) that was a major actor, along with Martin Luther School, in early and continuing efforts in feeding, housing and organizing volunteers.

It’s a great read on how in times of need being the hands and feet of our corporate body is a calling for all who bear the name of Christ. Check out the full article Volunteers Focus on Rebuilding, not Theology.

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond at home and globally in times of need. Donate now.

The Bismarck Tribune had an article on Monday that highlighted some pretty great work being done by a local Thrivent chapter on behalf of those affected by flooding in Bismarck and Minot. Members of Burleigh County Chapter are organizing a family fun day called the North Dakota Flood Recovery Event for May 12. The goal of the event is to help remind the people of Minot and Bismarck that they will not be relegated to “out of sight, out of mind” status. The group also recognizes that the work continues through groups like Lutheran Disaster Response.

A great story of Lutherans remembering and working together for the sake of their neighbors, Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike. Check it out: Thrivent sponsoring flood relief benefit at Civic Center

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond at home and globally in times of need. Donate now.

The Minot Daily News had a good piece last week that in part highlights the role of Lutheran Disaster Response work in the long process of disaster response. The topic of the article is a discussion of the Minot Unmet Needs Committee with government officials of the continuing need following the June 2011 floods. The estimate is around one billion dollars in need. At the end of the article Shirley Dykshoorn, state director for Lutheran Disaster Response in North Dakota (a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota), is quoted about the vital nature of matching material needs with volunteer resources.

The article in general is a nice reminder of how LDR is involved for the long-haul and in many ways behind the scenes. Also, Shirley’s words are spot on and really drive home the importance of proper coordination in disaster response.

To learn more read the article: Billion dollar shortfall

To volunteer check out Hope Village

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond at home and globally in times of need. Donate now.

The Daily Review newspaper out of Pennsylvania had a great article about Lutheran Disaster Response (how our domestic disaster response program is known) bringing a Camp Noah program to the area to help following the flooding of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last August and September. Though its actually about the possibility of bringing the camps, it does give a great overview of what the program is for from an outsiders view.

I’d recommend giving it a read: Camp for disaster-affected children may come to Valley

You can also learn more about Camp Noah here: Camp Noah

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond at home and globally in times of need. Donate now.

During their spring break 88 students from the ELCA college of St. Olaf, located in Northfield, MN (also home to Malt-O-Meal factory), spent time in Clay, AL to help with clean up efforts following a January 23 tornado which ripped through the area. It reminded me of an old Lutheran Disaster Response ad that showed a woman cleaning a floor with the words: “Sexy? No. Faithful? Yes.” It’s great to see that a part of a full education at an ELCA college is activities like this that tie students into the larger work of the church and their lives in the world.

To learn more:

• read the article from the Birmingham News, “St. Olaf College students spend spring break cleaning up storm debris in Clay”
• watch a video of St. Olaf work on Clay (short ad at beginning), St. Olaf Students in Clay, AL
  

At least 64 tornadoes touched down in 14 states last week leading to over 50 deaths, thousands of destroyed homes and displaced peoples. To help lift up the response we have created a bulletin insert for your use. Download it here.

You can also learn more at the ELCA Disaster Response page U.S. Severe Spring Storms and support the effort through donations page.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Lutheran Disaster Response volunteer page.