Emergency Response program plans new west coast and West Virginia projects.

Three new disaster relief projects are planned in the west coast states of California and Washington and in West Virginia by the General Board's Emergency Response program. An ongoing project in Poquoson, Va., continues as well.

In the town of Julian, Calif., Church of the Brethren volunteers will join in a fire clean-up project organized by Mennonite Disaster Service, beginning the week of Aug. 1. The clean up follows deadly wildfires that swept through southern California last October claiming 22 lives and destroying 3,631 homes. Volunteers will clear the land of burned trees, and cut, stack, and chip wood. Pacific Southwest District has committed to supply volunteers to work with the project, and volunteers from other districts are invited to participate. Contact Milton Ewert, Pacific Southwest District disaster coordinator, at 209-523-9490 or e-mail mjemod@juno.com.

In Skagit County, Wash., a flood recovery project will rebuild homes for ten low-income families. Heavy storms last October brought floods that affected dozens of homes in the county. The Church of the Brethren has been invited to participate in the project managed by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. Brethren from any district are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. Contact Nancy Wilkinson, Oregon-Washington District disaster coordinator, at 360-848-1827.

The Emergency Response program is gearing up for a flood recovery project in Greenbrier County, W.Va., following severe storms last November that caused flash floods and mudslides across the state. Details for the new project are not yet in place, but staff hope to get it started by late June. To volunteer or schedule a group of volunteers to work for a week in the summer, call Emergency Response staff Jane Yount at 800-451-4407 or e-mail jyount_gb@brethren.org.

Source: Newsline 4/30/2004 top