Children’s Disaster Services responds to Greensburg tornado.

Children's Disaster Services (formerly Disaster Child Care) is sending a team of volunteers to respond to needs of young children affected by the tornado in Greensburg, Kan. The storm demolished 95 percent of the town on the evening of May 4. The seven volunteers are scheduled to arrive on May 10. Roy Winter, director of Brethren Disaster Ministries (formerly Emergency Response), also will make a visit to the area to assess needs and offer support.

This is the first storm to be classified a category F-5, the highest on a scale of intensity, since 1999, according to a report from Children’s Disaster Services. The tornado completely wiped structures off of their foundations, leaving an unrecognizable pile of rubble. It claimed nine lives and was part of an outbreak of tornados that plowed through the state and caused at least two other deaths.

Brethren who wish to help with the response are invited to contribute to the General Board’s Emergency Disaster Fund, and not to send unsolicited material donations. "There simply is no place to store unsolicited donated goods," said Jane Yount of the Brethren Disaster Ministries staff. "The most effective way to respond is to give a financial contribution to programs that are providing necessary goods and services. This ensures that the survivors will receive what they actually need."

"As always, please keep the survivors and their families lifted up in prayer," Yount said.

Children’s Disaster Services also is responding to needs in New Jersey following flooding in mid-April. The American Red Cross requested Children’s Disaster Services for a shelter at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch. From April 23-28, four volunteers cared for some 80 children in that location. On April 29, a second wave of 14 caregivers left for another two weeks of service, with some continuing to work at the community college and others providing care at a shelter at Bound Brook Presbyterian Church.

Donations to support Children's Disaster Services and Brethren Disaster Ministries can be made payable to the Emergency Disaster Fund and mailed to 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120. For more information, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/DisasterResponse.htm.

Source: 5/09/2007 Newsline