Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief2 min read

Below is a letter from the Executive Director, School and Youth Ministries of the Florida-Georgia District LCMS regarding the relief efforts currently underway.

It’s been quite a week in Florida! Hurricane Ian packed a punch as it slowly marched across the state. Most of the reports coming in are from churches and schools with typical storm damage—loss of power, downed trees and fences, and roof damage.

Two areas were hit the hardest. Ft. Myers and the communities along the southwest coast have major wind and water damage, and the communities on the northeast side of Orlando are dealing with flooding. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it’s abundantly clear that the list of those needing assistance will continue to grow.

Many have already asked how they can help. Schools that are interested in supporting relief efforts for the FLGA and SELC schools in Florida can do one of two things:

• Give money directly to the FLGA Disaster Response fund at https://flgadistrict.org/give/
• Collect gift cards for stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and chain restaurants

Mail gift cards to:

Florida Georgia District

5850 T.G. Lee Blvd Suite 500

Orlando FL 32822

All disaster response donations go directly to schools and congregations for cleanup efforts such as roof repair, tree removal, water damage mitigation, fencing and other supply needs. Gift cards will be distributed to staff and families.

Thank you for all of your prayers. What a blessing to be part of a Christian community that loves and cares for each other. Continue to pray that the love of Jesus shines brightly through the response to this disaster. This is an opportunity to put love into action as we help and support those impacted by the storm!

Jennifer Tanner

Executive Director, School and Youth Ministries

Florida-Georgia District LCMS

Michigan District LERT

On the first weekend of October, a Michigan District LERT team picked up 500 flood buckets and 300 hygiene kits at Living Faith in Marine City. These buckets/kits had been assembled over the past 12 months by congregations throughout the District and stored at Living Faith. Thanks to the great volunteers in the picture who got the truck loaded up in an hour and a half. The truck then stopped at Trinity, Clinton Township to pick up a few more supplies. The District paid for the truck rental and Trinity paid for the gas to get the truck to Ohio and back. The workers in the picture are from Trinity, Clinton Township and Trinity, Utica (besides Travis Grulke). Many thanks to Kent Marshall for driving the truck!

The flood buckets and hygiene kits were taken to Caldwell, Ohio where they were combined with other supplies and hauled down to Florida for immediate use. Christ Lutheran Church in Saint Peterburg and St. Luke in Oviedo will be the final destinations for all the supplies/aid.

_{Featured image © oobqoo/iStock. LERT photos courtesy of Travis Grulke}