SPECIAL DISASTER RECOVERY EDITION of GPconnect: Bishop Jones calls on Great Plains United Methodists for contributions for Thursday, 1 May 2014

SPECIAL DISASTER RECOVERY EDITION of GPconnect: Bishop Jones calls on Great Plains United Methodists for contributions for Thursday, 1 May 2014
Limited financial relief available to Baxter Springs tornado victims

FEMA denies individual assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined the victims of the Baxter Springs tornado will not be eligible for federal individual assistance. FEMA assesses a number of factors to determine the severity, magnitude and impact of a disaster event. Gov. Sam Brownback declared a state of disaster emergency, an act which indicates recovery is beyond the resources of the local government. FEMA has declared that the Baxter Springs disaster does not meet their guidelines for federal supplemental aid. The State of Kansas will make Small Business Administration low-interest loans available, however no grants or other funds have been offered for individual assistance. Without FEMA assistance, the City of Baxter Springs must scramble to develop a plan for debris removal that will enable their business district to function and bring relief to their citizens.
United Methodist appeal
Bishop Scott Jones is issuing a conference-wide appeal for contributions to the disaster response fund. This video is available to download. All Great Plains United Methodist churches are encouraged to share this video with their congregations during upcoming worship services.
Give through your local church offering plate to the conference disaster response fund, with the number 975 in the memo line, or donate online. Funds are used to help in times of disaster across the Great Plains Conference.
Area need
As the most populous city of Cherokee County, Baxter Springs serves as the economic hub. The damage to the city’s business district and the cost of recovery will be felt across the county. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management reports at least 91 homes and 11 businesses were destroyed by the tornado now rated by the National Weather Service as an EF2 on the enhanced Fujita scale. At least seven other businesses and 85 homes suffered damage. As of 2008-2012, the per capita income of Baxter Springs is $18,329, which is lower than the state average of $26,845. At least 18 percent of the population is in poverty, which is higher than the state average of 13 percent.
The Great Plains Disaster Response team has established a United Methodist Church Disaster Recovery Center at the First UMC, 1310 East Avenue, in Baxter Springs. The phone number is 316-641-9549. The Great Plains Disaster Response in Baxter Springs is led by Russell Anderson, the regional disaster response coordinator. Coordination of recovery efforts continues as the first Early Response Team (ERT) started doing intake at the Multiple Agencies Resource Center (MARC) today. The MARC will be open through Sunday, but the UMC Disaster Recovery Center will function long-term and needs volunteers to coordinate the work, help with construction, and conduct case management. If you are interested in helping as a long-term volunteer, call the center at 316-641-9549.
Trained early responders needed
All trained early responders are needed immediately for clean-up and recovery. Those interested must make lodging arrangements in motels in towns near Baxter Springs or they can stay at the Baxter Springs UMC if they bring enough supplies to be totally self-sufficient. Area churches are donating some supplies to help volunteers. A shower trailer will arrive Saturday. UMCOR is delivering disaster-relief kits today as well as tarps, bedding kits, health kits, school kits, layette kits and prayer books. In addition to sending an ERT, Church of the Resurrection has donated gas cards and Walmart gift cards to assist tornado victims with recovery.
For more information on the tornado damage and the Great Plains United Methodist response, go to the Great Plains website where you can also make monetary donations.


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Testing our readers
Yesterday’s GPconnect included a glaring typo. We apologize for misspelling the word “denomination” in the article pointing to United Methodist Communications training.
The last line in the second paragraph should have read, “You may be surprised at all there is to discover about our denomination.”
We hope you will not demonize the communications department for our gross error.
Please continue to keep us on our toes by pointing out errors.
— Kathryn Witte, communications director, editor of GPconnect
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Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.
Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@greatplainsumc.org
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