Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
3838 W. Cypress St
Tampa, FL 33607
813-876-7660
813-870-0826 fax
en español
What Can I Do To Help?
Updated 9 September 2005
Good and faithful people in our synod churches frequently ask following a disaster, “What can we do to help?”
Following a hurricane or natural disaster, volunteers are needed for a variety of services, including helping to clean up yards, guiding victims to appropriate services, securing buildings, and counseling (certified only). Other more specific needs will be identified by pastors in the communities that were affected, and a list of these will be kept by Danielle Kearney of Lutheran Services Florida to match with volunteers.
Volunteers may sign up online through Lutheran Services Florida at http://www.lsfnet.org/Volunteers/volunteer-disaster.asp. Danielle Kearney may also be contacted by phone at 1-800-651-1853 or 813-676-9513. Contact also the LDR Volunteer Coordinator in Florida.
Monetary donations for the US are encouraged to assist with needs that are not met by FEMA (U.S.), insurance or other public assistance programs. Donations may be sent to the Florida-Bahamas Synod at 3838 W. Cypress St., Tampa 33607 or online to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response at http://www.elca.org/dcs/disaster/.
Those wishing to contribute particular items may review the needs list of In-Kind Donations. A list of places to send the items can be found in Responding to Katrina: Items, Housing, Volunteers.
Monetary donations for Companion Synod churches in the Caribbean affected by storms may be directed to ELCA International Disaster Response at http://www.elca.org/dgm/disaster/support.html.
Above all, pray for those who have been affected by storms and hurricanes and for those who are helping them to find new life again.