Monday, March 27, 2023
Tornado Disaster Relief - A Note from Father Don
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Christ!
We are all aware of the devastation from Friday night’s storms. The damage is extensive and there are short and long-term things we can do to assist those in need. There are many near us in the Winona and Blackhawk areas that need help, as well as the Episcopal Church of the Cross in Rolling Fork. I have asked Mary Hughes Frye to be our coordinator for disaster response. Mary Hughes will work with others in the parish and with on-site contacts to provide whatever resources we are able to muster. Bob Provine has agreed to organize our cleanup team, and we should have someone soon to organize donations.
As things currently stand, cleanup activities are limited in many areas as they continue to search for missing individuals and while FEMA, MEMA, as well as, insurance adjusters do their evaluations. However, in the coming days there will be a greater need for clean up activities. If you have resources that would be helpful, including the time to help, please contact Mary Hughes or Bob (contact info below). Additionally, there will be immediate needs for supplies. Below, we have a list of items that have proven to be needed and helpful in the past. We will be collecting these items in the hallway on the east end of the courtyard (the brick floor loggia). Tables are set up for clothing, and other supplies can go on the floor. We hope this makes it easier to drop off items through the Howard St. courtyard entrance. Please continue to pray for our neighbors who have been affected by this storm.
If you would like to help coordinate our response, please contact Mary Hughes. If you have equipment, manpower, or time to help with cleanup activities, please call Bob. Bob asks that you leave a message or text him information if he does not answer.
In the face of tragedy and loss, we are given the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, and to be a source of faith, hope, and love to those in need. I am confident we will be able to positively impact the lives of those who need help today.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Fr. Don Chancellor
Contact Information
Items for relief assistance
HYGIENE
Boxes of gallon sized zip lock baggies to put supplies in
Infant Formula and diaper
Infant soaps and wipes
Pet food
Feminine Hygiene Supplies
Combs / hair brush
Soap (unopened)
Shampoos / Conditioners
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Band-Aids/first aid etc.
Equipment
Brooms
Rakes
Shovels
Batteries
Flashlights/batteries
Paper Towels
towels - hand or wash clothes
Paper or Plastic Cups, plates, bowls / disposable utensils
Paper / pens / permanent markers
Clean gently used or new plastic tubs
Cleaning Supplies
Liquid laundry detergent (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle)
5-gallon bucket with re-sealable lid (may not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner. Advertisements on the outside are acceptable)
Scouring pads
Sponges
Scrub brushes
Cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz. bottle
Disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz. bottle
Clothes pins
Clothes line (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)
Dust masks
Latex gloves/work gloves
Heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon (remove roll from box before placing in bucket)
Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps
Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can (If aerosol can, must have protective cap/guard around nozzle)
*Clothing items are no longer needed*
Monetary Support
If you would like to make a monetary donation for disaster relief, please make checks payable to Church of the Nativity, and please include disaster relief on the memo line of the check.