Links for Hurricane Response
Presbyterians urged to donate funds and buckets to help the Southeast rebound from widespread devastation
The following update regarding disaster relief for Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene includes several links–Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, trusted organizations in the impacted areas, and how to send cleanup buckets and hygiene kits.
HURRICANE MILTON
Hurricane Milton is a very dangerous category 5 storm. Milton is forecast to impact many of the same communities in Florida that are still responding to the immediate need from Hurricane Helene. Milton is expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall later this week.
PDA is already working with FLAPDAN (Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network) and Presbytery leadership to prepare for Milton while responding to the immediate needs of Helene. Your gifts will enable the denomination to support all the congregations and communities in the path of the storm.
HURRICANE HELENE
“Helene has caused disruption along a 500-mile strip south to north, and right now, that I’m aware of, there are 13 presbyteries that have sustained significant damage” in the states of Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina as well as part of Virginia, said the Rev. James Kirk, National Disaster associate for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).
PDA is in the midst of doing multiple deployments to help communities, including the presbyteries of Tampa Bay (Monday), Holston (Tuesday), Western North Carolina (Wednesday), Northeast Georgia (Saturday) and Foothills (Thursday, Oct. 10).
The Rev. Dr. Holly Dillon, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay in Florida, said the buckets and hygiene kits are invaluable for cleanup. “They have things in them like sponges and bleach and rubber gloves and cleaning solution and masks,” she said, noting, “if people are flooded in their homes, they’re not able to work, so therefore they’re not getting paid, so then they don’t have money to spend on the resources. It’s a small thing that makes a huge difference.”
This designated account supplements the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant, ongoing response to hurricanes that affect the United States. Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated.
To give by phone, call 800-872-3283. To send a check, please designate where you want your gift to go on the memo line and mail to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P. O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church is sending funds directly into the communities of Black Mountain and Swannonoa Valley. https://onrealm.org/BlackMountainPr/-/form/give/HeleneReliefFund
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church lists trusted organizations where donations can make a direct difference. https://www.phpc.org/helene
Direct link to BeLoved Asheville: https://www.belovedasheville.com/rebuilding-hope-after-hurricane-helene/