Hurricane Disaster Relief
The scope of damage from Hurricane Florence continues to be assessed in the Carolinas. Through the Southeastern District (SED) of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), you may contribute through the Southeastern District website or send designated gifts to their office (6315 Grovedale Drive Alexandria, VA 22310). All funds received will be used for response and recovery efforts. You may also apply to be a Thrivent Action Team to assist with supplies for this effort. We are gathering information to know where to direct the response effort.
St. John’s will serve as a collection point for flood relief items in cooperation with Orphan Grain Train and the SED. Items listed below may be left on the stage in the Fellowship Hall and will be transported to the Carolinas. Sister congregations in Northern Virginia are being invited to bring donated items here as well.
Immediate Needs
- Water
- Baby and Adult Diapers (all sizes)
- Feminine Hygiene Supplies
- Band Aids
- Hand Sanitizer or Baby Wipes
- 5-gallon buckets (new or used)
- Heavy Duty Trash Bags
- Work Gloves
- Heavy Duty Plastic Gloves
- Scouring Pads
- Scrub Brushes
- Powdered Cleanser (Comet, etc.)
- Liquid Cleaner (Lysol, etc.)
- Old CLEAN Towels / Disposable Rags
- Paper Towels
- Mops
- Brooms
- N95 Face Masks
- Flood Buckets **
- Personal Hygiene/Survival Kits **
- Financial Donations
- Gift Cards (Lowes, Home Depot, grocery stores, Target, Walmart)
** Instructions for assembling these kits may be found on the SED website
Please do not donate clothing, shoes, blankets, toys, etc. The best way to deal with clothing, etc. donations is to sell them at a yard sale and donate the money. Cash donations allow relief workers to purchase what is needed, when and where it is needed. It allows supplies to be purchased locally strengthening the local economy.
Flood buckets are cleaning kits that enable people to begin the job of cleaning up after flooding. They include cleaning supplies, gloves etc. Collecting items and filling flood buckets can be an outreach project for your ministry or you may donate money to purchase supplies for the flood buckets.
Other available resources are through The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) website which has a variety of resources for individuals, teams, and congregations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has links to helpful information. The Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters can help local responders quickly create and adapt health communication products for affected communities. The document contains messages on various topics including food safety, carbon monoxide poisoning, waterborne diseases, and mold. Please continue to pray for everyone impacted by the hurricane and flooding.
We Pray
Merciful Father, we commend to your keeping all who work to bring rescue and relief following the devastation from Hurricane Florence. Give them courage in danger, skill in difficult situations, and compassion in service. Sustain them with strength of body and peace of mind that they may perform their work to the well-being of those in need so that lives may be blessed and communities restored. In your mercy, uphold all those who have lost loved ones, homes, or businesses. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.