Tornado Recovery Begins--Your Help is Needed

NEW YORK, March 2, 2007—Dozens of tornadoes ripped though Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the last two days killing at least 20 people. Tom Hazelwood, United Methodist Committee on Relief’s domestic disaster response executive, is in touch with affected annual conferences and will visit Alabama March 6 to survey the damage and offer additional assistance. UMCOR has already released two emergency grants, one to the Georgia Annual Conference and one to Alabama-West Florida to support their initial response to this disaster. “We join with the religious and civic leaders of the affected communities in remembering the lives lost, those injured, and the families torn apart,” said R. Randy Day, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Two known churches were affected by these storms. One, in Enterprise, Ala., was across the street from the high school where eight students were killed by the tornado. UMCOR will continue to monitor the situation and offer any needed assistance to the annual conferences now recovering from these devastating tornadoes. As the storm system continues to move eastward, more violent weather is predicted.

How You Can Help
Cash gifts will help provide for recovery. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write “UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response,” on the memo line of your check. One hundred percent of every donation to any appeal, including appeals for Florida recovery, goes to support the designated program.