Urgent Needs

—PANAMA February 2009 Because of a sudden illness, a 16 person UMVIM team scheduled to go to Panama February 27 - March 8th has one, possibly two open slots for team members. The tickets are purchased and the ticket holders will pay for the ticket name change. If you would like to join this group, listed below is pertinent information:

Cost: $1500 ( covers transportation from Chicago, meals and lodging)

Sponsorship: NCJ and Glen Ellyn, IL UMC)

Team Goals: To serve the Ngobe/Bugle Amerindians through 3 service programs:
1. Provide outpatient clinic services
2. Complete final phase of community health worker training
3. Conduct a Christian centered health promotion program for children

Possible duties: Assist with lab tests such as dipstick urine tests and use of a glucometer to test blood sugars. Assist physician teaching on topic of malaria. Work as a volunteer in the children's program. Spanish is not required but is an added benefit to team work.

Contact: Jane Dunn at richjane@ameritech.net or at 630-605-1020 to apply or receive more information.

 

—FLOODING IN CEDAR RAPIDS VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED!  The flood recovery effort in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is in desperate need of  licensed plumbers and electricians!  If you or a team of volunteer plumbers or electricians are willing to donate your services, please contact Becky Wood at the contact information below!  Plumbers and electricians are crucial right now to prepare for over 3,000 volunteers who will be coming this spring and summer.

 

For more information, please contact:

Becky Wood

Director of Recovery - Storms 2008

Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

2200 Heritage Green Dr.

Hiawatha, IA  52233

(319) 393-1607 (office)

(515) 238-5346 (cell)

—Hurricane Ike:  Texas Annual Conference is accepting recovery trained Early Response teams for some of the more devastated areas, but they are also accepting long term clean-up teams for those areas that are ready now.  Teams can stay in various churches and need to be semi- self-sufficient.  The area does have gas now, and stores are open in most areas so teams can buy food products.  It will depend on the area they go to.  Galveston Island is to be open next week for clean up teams, but only Early Response will be allowed there.  Surfside and Freeport are in desperate need of muck out teams and debris removal.

Teams must register online, www.txcumc.org, and will receive a call or e-mail back within 24-48 hours.  Teams can also call directly to the Rita Recovery phone number 409.892.0140 as they are back in business, but they need to call there only if they want to work in that area.  If they want to work the coastal area, they need to go through the registration system. 

—URGENT NEED FOR LEWIS COUNTY TEAMS:
We've gotten an urgent request from Susie Duren, case worker at the Lewis County Long Term Recovery Organization (LTRO), for teams to install floor insulation in homes affected by last year's flood.  The insulation has been purchased, but groups of three or four people are urgently needed for installation.  Other jobs are also available for those who want to help in other ways.  This cold weather continues to boost heating costs, which flood survivors can ill afford. If you can help, please contact:

Brett DeMond,  UMC caseworker
360-482- 3037
livingart@centurytel.net
            or
Ronda Cordill, PNWAC UMVIM Coordinator
509-235-5466
r_cordill@hotmail.com
            or
Jim Truitt, UMVIM Team Leader
253-630-1268
jftruitt@comcast.net

Susie also reports that the UMC teams are really a driving force behind recovery, providing some of the most effective as well as most numerous helpers; we are staying in it for the long haul.   God bless those who have and will contribute.

Jim Truitt
UMVIM Team Leader

—Dentist needed:  We are in the last stages of gathering our medical team for February 12-24, 2009.  We will return to rural areas near Phnom Penh.  We do not yet have a dentist and one will be greatly needed!  Contact your UMVIM Annual Conference Coordinator and annsutton@asbury-umc.org  for more info.  

Rev. Ann Sutton
Asbury United Methodist Church
101 Live Oak Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70503
337-984-4211
annsutton@asbury-umc.org