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| Kansas Disaster Relief Fund |
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FROM: Kathy Koehn
LDR Greensburg
605 W Illinois
Greensburg, Kansas 67054
620-388-3860 (Cell)
620-723-3339 (Office)
ldrgreen@live.com
CHANGES
I know it has been awhile since a Connections Newletter has been written but so much has happened.
Chuck, as you know, left us and Wilmer Wegele took his position. I stayed on as his assistant. I am also a Case Manager for SCKTRO. Wilmer, after working three weeks, decided to leave due to unforseen complications. Gale from LDR asked me if I would like to step up and take the job as Volunteer Coordinator and I said yes. Crazy or what? I had already been answering e-mails etc. so I am familiar with most of it. But now it is up to me to write the Connections.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES
I am asking for volunteers to write a little bit about their experiences while volunteering her at Greensburg and I would like to put that into my newsletter if possible. The first one is from Doris Wyland from Montana . She writes:
“My LCMS Church group decided to go on another “rebuild” this year as the New Orleans/Biloxi Habitat Build last year was so rewarding. This year I wanted definitely to be part of the group to be able to experience what they did last year. Even though the situations were almost entirely different, the returning feelings were very similar. I had experienced strong wind before as a young mother of three, fearful of our lives because we lived in a trailer house broadside to a hill (in the direction of the wind). We took safe refuge in the basement of friends close by, and even though our trailer bounced and some possessions were broken, and repairs had to be made, little did it prepare me for what I saw in Greensburg . I lost many tears on the work site when I traveled around the house my group was roofing, siding and caulking as I picked up nails, shards of ceramic, mirror and pieces of metal. I love/cherish some of my parent's and even my grandparent's old dishes/old pictures etc. that I have on display in my home. Now finding these as hazard pieces, made me realize these were possibly treasures of someone else's family I was picking up. How could they have come up from their “hiding” place after the tornado and find they had nothing recognizable left to call their own? Their tangible mementoes were all gone or at best forever ruined. How precious to have family alive to be able to hug, say ‘I love you,' and share tears without shame.
Most of my weeks stay at the Village was working in the Kitchen helping to prepare meals for the volunteers that came from the job sites to nourish their tired bodies. I cherish the memory of one lady who had dutifully put on sun block and basically was filthy-looking from the wind blowing the sand on the job site, even making rings on her neck. I was reminded over and over that week how we must look to God, who created us perfect and spotless and how sins stick to us, making us ugly before Him. And then Jesus could say to us, “I love you” - enough to die in our place, so eternity for us can be in Heaven with Him. YES, thank you Greensburg people for all your stories, the books I can now read, and for giving me the opportunity to see God at work in you. May God continue to bless us all. A thankful Montana volunteer, Doris.”
Do I have any more volunteers that would be willing to do this for me? If so, e-mail me with your experiences. If I don't get any volunteers, I may have to recruit some.
This week, July 20-26 finds us with about 150 volunteers. Some are working with Mennonite Housing and some are working with us. Mennonite Housing and USDA have started their next group of 10 homes. They have funding to build a total of 50 homes.
We have logged a total of 115,000 hours as of the last of June. We are reimbursed from FEMA $7.50/hr for each volunteer hour logged - that helps pay off the city's debt that we have with FEMA for cleaning and hauling off debris. So as you can see each and every volunteer is important. Please keep coming.
We are looking for more skilled volunteers as the work progresses forward. Skilled carpenters, plumbers, electrians etc. are greatly needed, especially for the time of September on. We will try to accommodate all groups though. Don't put off your trip just because you don't feel skilled. There is work for all to do. Are you retired and wonder what to do with your time? Come volunteer in Greensburg.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Habitat for Humanity has started on their first three homes. They supply their own volunteers.
- As of Friday of last week, 160 new construction permits have been issued. So you see Greensburg is growing.
- 90% of the town has utilities working.
- The new water tower is up and working.
- We have hauled 58,000 loads of debris to the landfill.
- They are started on the new Dillons Store. Yeah!!!
- This week we are moving another one of our clients into her new home - some of you may know her as the “Cinnamon Roll Lady.” She is 85 years old and an inspiration to all who meet her. The groups that have worked on her home have all been beneficiaries of her wonderful cinnamon rolls.
May God bless all of you that have volunteered here already. Plan your return trip. And those that are still coming, we welcome you. And those who haven't booked anything yet, give it some serious thought. I know you will get a blessing out of coming.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
God Bless,
Kathy Koehn
LDR Volunteer Coordinator
CONNECTIONS - April 2008
From: Chuck Jedele, LDR Site Coordinator, Greensburg
Re: Progress Report for Greensburg , KS
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Long time-No Write
Sorry about that. I've been busy.
- Volunteers: November to February volunteers were a scarce commodity. Lutheran Disaster Response had 48 volunteer hours in February. In March LDR had 4332 volunteer hours. April will be a good month also. In May there is room yet for a few more volunteers. We have volunteers groups into July. We need skilled workers. If groups want to come, please try to have one skilled worker for every 3 or 4. We are not able to supervise or train people. Sixteen and older is our age requirement.
- Projects: We are in the final construction phase on one house. We have four more new houses under construction. We are working on six other homes at this time.
- Blitz Week: The last two weeks in March we had many volunteers and we had a goal of building four new homes. We failed in reaching that goal for a number of reasons. However, they were exciting weeks. We prepared and served 2900 meals which were prepared by many volunteers of the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Southern Baptists, Mennonites, Lutherans, and Methodists-Christians of many faiths. The Salvation Army and Southern Baptists funded the food. The Red Cross delivered lunch and two snacks every day. 320 people registered with SCKTRO during the week of March 18, but we believe the number of volunteers was even higher.
- A community dinner was prepared by volunteers and served in the high school gym. 350 people, volunteers and community, came together for an evening of sharing. A group of young people provided entertainment by singing praise songs.
- Another Title, More Work: James Bond who was the project manager left for a new position as Disaster Response Coordination for World Hope International. I have been the project manager as well as the LDR Site Coordinator for two weeks. Kathy Koehn who is a case manager funded by LDR is now answering my e-mails and doing the computer input that is necessary.
- The work load is heavy; but with the prayers and help of many people, I have found joys in doing this. I have of course found frustration as well, but with God's strength-I continue.
News in Brief
• May 4 th : The anniversary of the tornado, President Bush will present diplomas to 14 high school graduates.
• Habitat for Humanity: will be building in Greensburg .
• Mennonite Housing will manage a building program with SCKTRO providing volunteers.
• Orphan Grain Train is providing more units to increase the capacity of the Volunteer Village . Praise God.
In His Service,
Chuck Jedele
WE'RE MAKING A TORNADO HISTORY
CONNECTIONS - March 2008
From: Chuck Jedele, LDR Site Coordinator, Greensburg
Re: Progress Report for Greensburg , KS
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This sign is at the corner of Main and U.S. 54. It's true. It's true for all the volunteers who are coming to Greensburg . It's true for the residents of Greensburg . Each day we see new homes started. Each day there are large changes in the landscape here and volunteers are making many of those changes happen.
In the last two weeks SCKTRO has brought three houses out of the ground. Roof trusses are being set on one. On Friday roof trusses should arrive for the second house. Hopefully a fourth house will have footings poured early next week.
VOLUNTEERS For the next three weeks we have all the volunteers we can use.
- Last week 100 volunteers
- This week 140 volunteers
- Next week 340 volunteers
- The following week 100 volunteers
These volunteers represent all church denominations. Some volunteers can still be used in April and June. However, our space is filling up so reserve your group's time as soon as possible. We are booking groups now for the rest of the summer.
- Tools: We still need volunteers to bring tools such as ladders, paint brushes, nailers, compressors, saws and your hand tools for framing, dry walling, electrical and plumbing. Don't forget gloves, hats, and layers of clothing for varying weather conditions. We can advise on possible jobs a few days before you come but our weather and needs are still very changeable. Also, money donations are appreciated so that we can buy a few more tools.
- New Water Tower: The first 20 feet is in place. The remainder is being fabricated on the ground and should be lifted into place soon. It is on the same site as the one that was destroyed. City Hall has architectural concept drawings of the Big Well Museum . It is quite impressive.
- Camp Noah II: A Bible School Program for children of a disaster will be held next week on Monday to Thursday, from 9-3. We expect 50 children to attend. Holy Cross Lutheran of Kearney, NE is doing the program. They have been trained by the national staff. I thank them sincerely and immensely. I couldn't have found the time.
Praise God. It's exciting to be doing this work in His Kingdom and sometimes too exciting.
In His Service,
Chuck Jedele
www.ogt.org -- greensburg
www.LDR.org
Lutheran Church Charities
www.lcc.lutheranchurchcharities.org
http://www.kansaslwml.homestead.com
Lutheran Laymen's League
http://www.lhm.org/
Makes checks payable to:
Cannonball Chapter Red Cross - Greensburg Tornado
Mail to: 114 N Main; Pratt , Kansas 67124
Camp Restore is up and running. The camp has occupied Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in East New Orleans , and is being run by the Southern District, LCMS Human Care and World Relief, Labor's For Christ and Orphan Grain Train. The primary mission of Camp Restore is to rebuild Lutheran churches, schools and member's homes. The camp will also provide services for the community.
The Board of Directors has determined that we will continue our prayer support of our TDR Congregations (Bethany, Lamb of God and Good Shepherd) and will continue to monitor needs that might arise in the congregations and Slidell . The Board of Directors encourages volunteers to go to Camp Restore which will serve both East New Orleans and the North Shore (which includes Slidell).
Camp Hope (the camp the Kansas and Oklahoma Districts have been supporting) will be closed by the end of the year to allow Lamb of God to do their expansion. Persons who still wish to volunteer with Lutheran Disaster Response can find contact information at their website www.ldr.org .
Many thanks go to Mark Brewer for his service over the past year, answering thousands of questions and encouraging volunteers. As Camp Restore is able to handle reservations and answer questions, Mark will no longer be providing this service through the District Office.
Rocky Mease will continue to be available to answer volunteer questions and be a speaker for Bible Classes, other groups or for Mission Festivals. He can be reached at 316-993-0746 or Chaprm@aol.com .
Camp Restore has a website that answers most questions and has downloadable registration forms for individuals and groups. Their website is located at www.camprestore.org . Their email address is camprestore@yahoo.com . Their phone number is 888-248-2636.
Camp Restore now allows 13-15 year olds to volunteer IF they are accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Information is also available on the website for how Youth Groups can volunteer (through Can Do Ministries of the Texas District).
Volunteers will continue to be needed for 5 to 10 years. In many ways the work has just begun. Persons who cannot volunteer, but who want to support this ministry, can send funds to the Kansas District with a note in the memo stating that it is for the TDR (Targeted District Response).
As long as we are able, the Kansas and Oklahoma Districts will continue to provide funds for “camp expenses.” ( Camp Restore requests a donation of $20/person/day). Volunteers are expected to pay their own travel expenses to and from New Orleans.
(888) 248-2636
camprestore@yahoo.com
www.camprestore.org
If your congregation was not able to attend one of the Spring meetings, I would encourage you to check out the District Web site for two document. One is a Disaster Scenario, which will give you an opportunity to consider how you would respond and how you would want the church at large to respond to a disaster in your community. The other document is a checklist for congregational preparedness. I would encourage a board from your congregation to look at this material, as well as other documents available on the LDR web site, www.LDR.org.
Kansas is not a state where we wonder "if" another disaster is going to hit. The question we ask is "when" will the next disaster hit and "where?" We continue to look for laypeople interested in volunteering to be a being a part of our statewide disaster team. If you have questions or want to volunteer, please contact me.
- Post an emergency number by each phone. Include 911 (or area equivalent), the poison control center, law enforcement and the fire department. Make sure a phone is accessible in each area of the building at all hours.
- Review insurance policies annually. Keep duplicate copies of important church documents off site with photographs and vital records.
- Identify the nearest storm shelter. (Identify whom to contact to help do this.)
- Post clear directions on what to do and where to go in case of a severe storm/tornado warning.Practice evacuation/fire drills.Have a working weather radio or battery-operated radio in an accessible location in the church. Ensure that someone is listening during watches while church functions are in progress.
- Maintain a list of who is assigned to cut off utilities, cover windows and secure loose items inside/outside the building.
- Collect emergency/disaster-preparedness needs such as emergency lights, flashlights, first-aid kits, blankets.Create a prayer/life phone tree of people who will pray and give blood in case of emergency or disaster.
- Check exits: make sure they are marked and/or lit, free of obstruction, locked doors have crash bars; establish evacuation routes on upper floors; have a plan to evacuate handicapped persons.
- Check electrical equipment: mark circuit breakers, cover switches and outlet boxes, ground electrical units; do not overload circuits.
- Check gas equipment: know where gas main is; know where meter shut-off valve and gas wrench are.
- Check fire-fighting equipment: extinguishers should be fully charged, inspected and tagged; they should be appropriate type - for electrical, grease and ordinary fires. Maintain smoke detectors.
- Store chemicals including paint, solvents, cleaning fluids, thinners, toner, propane, toxic or corrosive materials properly.
- What would be
the "first thing" you would want to see your congregation
do before this first morning after is over?
- What would be
one of the "first things" you would want to see local churches
in the area do before this first morning is over?
- In the first 48
hours after the disaster, what response would you like to see from the
larger Lutheran Community (you synod/district, other local Lutheran
congregations, Thrivant and Kansas Lutheran Disaster Response)?
- Before the first
week is over, what issues would arise for your congregation to consider?
How could Kansas Lutheran Disaster Response help? How could other "Lutherans" help in the state? What things would you want to do by yourself and
for yourself? What kind of issues would you think would go beyond your
local congregations ability to address?
- In the first month after, what would be the Spiritual, Emotional, Financial, and Logistical issues that might arise? What support might you anticipate being needed for families of survivors, the injured and their families, those who lost property, those who did not suffer any kind of losses, local businesses and your pastors?6. What other issues might you anticipate in the first year following the disaster and how might the larger Lutheran community of Kansas best respond