Clean-Up Begins in Midwest

Thursday, July 3, A.D. 2008

Across the U.S. Midwest thousands of families and scores of communities face major clean-up and recovery work from the worst flooding to hit the nation's midsection since the record floods of 1993. Especially hard hit have been the states of Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. This is also strong "Disciples" country, and a good number of our congregations have members who have suffered major damage to their homes, farms, and businesses. One of our congregations, Cedar Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA, has significant damage to its facilities.

Since the flooding began in early June, Week of Compassion has provided grants totaling $110,000 to assist more than 20 congregations, 3 local interfaith organizations and an expanding Church World Service flood appeal. That amount is sure to grow significantly as more and more long term recovery efforts are organized to meet the many unmet needs and other long-term recovery and rehabilitation needs.

With the Midwest floods, the Myanmar cyclone, the China quake, the growing global food crisis, the ongoing tragedy in Darfur, and a host of "smaller" disasters that have received scant media attention, WOC's resources are being severely stretched and strained. Now we are learning from church partners in India that extensive flooding is affecting nearly 3 million people in the eastern part of that country. 

Over the past several weeks a significant outpouring of online and regular mail gifts for the floods, the Myanmar cyclone, the China quake, Darfur, the Compassion Response Fund, or simply "where most needed" has enabled WOC to maintain its capacity to respond quickly and strongly to the many appeals we are receiving. Those kinds of gifts remain urgently needed and will be used in their entirety as the donor directs. Gifts can be made online or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. 1986, Indpls, IN 46206. Thanks, and God bless.  -jww

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the complete listing of this week’s responses. For a complimentary copy of the map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org. [Elaine is on a much deserved vacation and will update the responses for the WOC interactive map poster next week.]