If You Desire to Send a Relief Team--DO NOT Call a local church in the Storm Damaged Area--USE the Call Centers in the Affected Annual Conferences

This morning a conference call with United Methodist relief workers from across the Southeastern Jurisdiction revealed two important items:

1. PLEASE contact the call centers of affected annual conferences to schedule teams (NOT local churches). Pastors have been overwhelmed by direct phone calls and need people to “use the connection.” Some areas can host volunteers, while others still need totally self-sufficient teams. The call centers can help provide information and make connections, allowing the local church to focus on ministry. Teams are greatly in need in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida (west and south). The call center numbers:

Alabama-West Florida Conference Storm Center - (866) 340-1956

Louisiana United Methodist Storm Center - (877) 345.5193

Mississippi Conference Storm Center - 866/435-7091 or 7092 or 7093

Florida Conference Storm Recovery Center - (800) 282-8011 ext 149

Texas Conference 713-533-3713 (temporary), new call center number TBA


2. Flood Buckets, Financial Donations, and Gift Cards are greatest needs at the moment. We will be sending most supplies to Sager Brown depot for the time being. Donations can be made to UMCOR Hurricanes 2005, the TN Conference Disaster Fund, or directly to the affected annual conferences. Gift Cards to Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart (with amount marked in permanent ink) sent to the Tennessee Conference Office will be forwarded to affected conferences so families can buy what they need and also contribute to the local economy. For tax purposes, it would be best for persons to contribute money and have the church or conference purchase the cards.