West Virginia has set up an online registration for volunteers wanting to assist in the recovery efforts in the flooded areas.  The link to that registration page is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16Floods

Registration is being run by the West Virginia Commission on National and Community Service.  Please pass on to any of your groups that are considering volunteering that they should register through this site so their gifts and graces can be matched to need.

Also, please stress to any teams wanting to go that they should be prepared to be as self-sufficient as possible so they do not add demands to the already stretched resources of the area.

The Bluegrass District and the Lexington Districts are organizing to collect cleaning donations over the next couple of weeks.  Rev Shannon Blosser at Claylick UMC, who grew up in one of the hardest hit areas in West Virginia is being very proactive in collecting supplies and making contacts in the area.

Here is information on what two of our districts  are doing:

Lexington District

Within the next three weeks, everyone is being requested to bring flood bucket items and health kit items to one of the drop-off points within the Lexington District.  During the week of July 11th all collected items will be taken to a designated location in West Virginia for distribution.

Supplies to make cleanup buckets and health kits.  You do not have to put a flood bucket or health kit together but that is always a welcomed option.  If you would just like to drop-off the items that are found below that would be fantastic as well.      

The collection points are as follows:

First United Methodist Church Lexington-200 West High Street from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

First United Methodist Church-Richmond-401 West Main Street from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

All Nations United Methodist Church-1075 Ash Grove Road, Nicholasville from 

In addition, cash donations are welcomed.  You, or your congregation collectively, can make a contribution to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) by using advance special #901670 with a designation (West Virginia Disaster). 100% of each gift will go directly to assist those affected by the flooding.  

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me: pastorrandy@christchurchlex.com or phone me at 859-221-2409 (cell).  

Thank you for wanting to assist so many in need.

Randy Maynard

Lexington District Disaster Coordinator 

 

Bluegrass District

By now we all are aware of the loss of lives and flooding in West Virginia.  Our neighbors and some of our district’s family members need our help.  Let me assure you the United Methodists are there through UMCOR and supplies are being shipped from UMCOR warehouses as needs are identified.  Our district has the opportunity of reaching out in both direct and through the efforts established by Jim Morse our Conference Disaster Response Coordinator.

First let me address how you can respond and send supplies this weekend to the flooded area.  Rev Shannon Blosser, pastor at Claylick UMC in our district, grew up in one of the hardest hit areas in West Virginia is being very proactive in collecting supplies and making contacts in the area. Shannon will be taking cleaning supplies this Sunday evening to WV.  If your church has collected any cleaning supplies or have complete “Cleaning Buckets” to send these will need to be delivered to Claylick UMC no later than 3:00 p.m. this Sunday afternoon. If you would like to make a donation to help with the cost of transportation or have any supplies to send or please contact Shannon at (859) 230-9721 or shannonblosser@gmail.com

This is a very short notice, but this is just the initial response.  During July please continue to collect cleaning supplies, “Cleaning Buckets” or other items like we did last August for Eastern Kentucky. Near the end of July we will designate a couple of district pickup points where these donations will be combined with those from throughout the KY Conference for delivering to the disaster area or to a UMCOR warehouse to replenish stockpiles.  I have attached a word document that lists the items and how to pack the “Cleaning Bucket”.  It is requested that we not sent clothing, but send the clothing to Mountain Mission as they are equipped to handle clothing.

I will continue to keep you informed as I receive updated information.  Please let me know any efforts your church is doing so it can be shared.  I can be reach at (502) 321-5265 or dop627@gmail.com or through Centenary UMC, Shelbyville, KY.

Thanks, 

David Pratt
Bluegrass District Disaster Response Coordinator

 

Please let the conference office know what your districts and churches are doing so it can be shared.