Greensburg, Kansas tornado relief

Volunteers needed

Feb. 25, 2008 - An update from Chuck Jedele, LDR Site Coordinator:

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE UPDATE FROM GREENSBURG, KANSAS
The following update was shared by Chuck Jedele, Lutheran Disaster Response Site Coordinator in Greensburg, Kansas. To contact Chuck for more information or to volunteer, call him at 620-388-3760.

HOW IS IT GOING IN GREENSBURG? This is a question that is frequently asked. The answer is different depending on what you really want to know. So – here are a few answers to the questions in ways that may help you. Call or e-mail me if you need more information.

VOLUNTEERS – Our volunteers' hours were ten times better in January than December. We had 850 volunteer hours given through Lutheran Disaster Response. The expected number of hours for February should be about the same. We have all the volunteers we can use effectively in March already signed up. Seven students and Dr. Janet Lack from Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, NE, were our most recent volunteers. They worked very hard at demolition, warehouse cleaning, and roofing. What an enthusiastic group! All other groups and individuals were so much appreciated, too!

SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS TORNADO RECOVERY ORGANIZATION (SCKTRO) – The organization under which LDR does its work, has a new director, Barb Neslund. The past director, Kathleen Blair, was honored at a recent meeting for her dedicated and unselfish service. SCKTRO has 160 cases of people requesting assistance. Forty of those cases have been closed, but you can see we still have work to do.

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH is worshipping every Sunday and Wednesday evening during Lent in a portable building at their previous site. The congregation is studying options for ministry and whether to rebuild. They hope to make some decisions in an April meeting.

BUILDING BLITZ IN MARCH – We have mentioned this before. Five families have been selected for this effort in providing new homes in a short time. In the next several weeks, preparation work needs to be completed.

THE NUMBERS GROW - As I drive the streets each week, I have to find new landmarks to guide my way. Where there was a slab and a broken tree, now there is a new foundation. Where there was a foundation, now there is a house. Some figures: permits issued by the city – 698. Of these 335 were for buildings to be repaired, 101 for new homes, 39 for permanent commercial buildings. Great progress!

GREENSBURG COMMUNITY MEETING – A standing-room only crowd joined to welcome guests from across the United States on Wednesday, February 6, to share the community progress and enthusiasm for building sustainability. Rick Fedrizzi gave a presentation about green building, green community, and the council's current initiatives. Discussions centered on implementation of the newly adopted comprehensive plan and heard how corporate sponsors are integrating with the Greensburg rebuilding process. For more information about 'green' building, go to www.greensburgks.org

THANKS – I thank you for the prayers for this ministry of care for your neighbors. I thank those who volunteered their time and talents. I thank those who have given money and needed items to LDR. I thank those who have helped broadcast the news and needs. I thank those who will come to volunteer. Praise the Lord for all!

In His Service,
Chuck Jedele
LDR Site Coordinator

Jan. 25, 2008 - Chuck Jedele, Lutheran Disaster Response Site Coordinator for Greensburg, Kansas, shares the following volunteer opportunities for those who wish to help the victims of last summer's tornado. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to share this information with their congregations through their newsletters and bulletins.

"We are in need of more groups/individuals to come and volunteer in January and February.

"Farmers - Can you come during this time of year?
Students/teachers - Can you give us some time on President's weekend?
Retirees - With winter blues? Come for a week or two and be tired and rejuvenated as you help others put their homes and lives back together. [Chuck is 71 years old and excited to use his skills in this work]

"There are jobs to be done in both good and bad weather. Good weather jobs include: Putting siding on a house, putting a roof on a house, making foundations for new homes and replacing windows. Bad weather jobs include: Sheet rock work, plumbing, wiring for electricity, installing trim on doors/windows/flooring, ceramic tile work, cleaning, installing carpet and installing interior doors and cabinets."

If you or a group from your congregation can volunteer some time, contact Chuck at 620-388-3760 for more information or to make arrangements.

Sept. 3, 2007 - A mobile chapel facility was delivered to Greensburg on Thursday, Aug. 30. A pre-dedication service was held for church members of Peace Lutheran, Greensburg and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Pratt. The chapel, built with a grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care, joins a mobile office unit for relief coordinators that was also recently sent to the town.

James Bond of the South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization (SCKTRO) Building Committee, Rocky Meise, Disaster Response Coordinator for the Kansas District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Kathleen Blair, Case Management Coordinator for SCKTRO, were present at the pre-dedication with John White of Orphan Grain Train.

John White, OGT Kansas Division chairman, Rev. Ray S. Wilke, OGT president, Bernie Wrede, OGT board member and Vern Steinman, OGT disaster relief coordinator with signs illustrating the cooperative effort between Orphan Grain Train, LCMS World Relief and Human Care and Laborers for Christ.

The modular unit will be placed on a special frame foundation constructed by Laborers for Christ next to the site of Peace Lutheran’s former church building after Labor Day and will then be officially dedicated. This is where Peace Lutheran will eventually re-build. When the church is finished using the mobile chapel, the unit will be put to use in another disaster relief situation.

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On Friday, May 4, 2007, the town of Greensburg was almost completely destroyed by an EF5 tornado that killed 10 and injured over 50. Other communities damaged by the storm included Claflin, Ellinwood, Macksville, and Holyrood.

Orphan Grain Train is cooperating with the Kansas District LCMS and LCMS World Relief and Human Care in responding to the needs of those affected by the tornado.

If you would like to support Orphan Grain Train's Kansas tornado relief efforts, donations for the "Tornado Relief Fund" may be sent payable to Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466.

Information on volunteering at Greensburg is available here from the Kansas District of the LCMS .

Click here for more information regarding Orphan Grain Train's Greensburg, Kansas tornado recovery efforts.