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Greetings, Friends!
We received the following email from the folks in Joplin, MO. Please note the tangible ways you and your congregation can help.
If you've paid attention to the news about Joplin you've heard reports of the number of homes and businesses destroyed or damaged by the May 22nd tornado.
You've heard the number of people injured and killed. Let me share some other numbers that I've heard.
The governor set a goal that by August 17 (the start of the school year) we would see one volunteer in Joplin for every resident.that's over 45,000 people.
That goal was set almost two weeks ago and at that time I understand that over 19,000 volunteers had already come to Joplin.
A week ago I was told that if you added all the volunteer hours together you would see that in the first four weeks after the tornado 19 years worth of volunteer work had been done here.
Although we don't have an exact number of Disciples volunteers that have been to Joplin, just this weekend we had Disciples from Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas and around Missouri. In the coming month we have groups from Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Minnesota scheduled to come. I can't even begin to name the many other places that volunteers have come from in the last five weeks.
The numbers make us overwhelmingly grateful. And they also speak to the vast devastation. Even with the high amounts of volunteers, there is still so much work to be done that will happen over weeks and months and years to come.
If you are looking for ways to help, remember first to pray. Then call Jeni in the Area Office (417) 865-0850. She can point you in the right direction whether it's by answering questions of what donations are needed in the distribution center or how to go about volunteering your time by coming to Joplin.
Items that are needed in the Disciple Distribution Center:
Food:
Macaroni & cheese
Pasta
Hamburger/Tuna helpers
Rice
Mashed potatoes
Canned corn
Bath towels
Laundry soap
Large trash bags
Pots/pans
Kitchen wear (spatulas, large spoons, etc.)
Silverware
Dishes
Please let us know if you have any questions.
—
Rev. Fay Blevins
First Christian Church
Rev. Jill Michel
South Joplin Christian Church
Thanks!
God bless!
Greg
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