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

Mary Hughes Frye 

936-465-5690 (cell) 

mfrye1522@gmail.com

Bob Provine

662-299-1130 (cell)

pilotone@provinehelicopters.com


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.