International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) is working with churches around the country to help victims of last week”s tornadoes.
“We are encouraging Christian churches and churches of Christ to hold a moment of prayer this coming Sunday to pray for the victims and the volunteers and to take up a love offering for IDES,” the ministry shares. Make donations online or mail checks/money orders marked “U.S. Disasters” to P.O. Box 60, Kempton, IN 46049-0060.
In southern Indiana, IDES will be setting up a base camp to help with disaster relief. Although it does not yet know if it will be able to have a long-term rebuilding presence there, as it has in Joplin, MO, there will be a need for short-term volunteers. If you”re interested in volunteering, e-mail ides@ides.org or call (765) 947-5100. All volunteers must report to the volunteer coordinating center in Jeffersonville, IN, and complete a short training seminar.
IDES reports that most disaster areas in Kentucky are currently shut down as officials figure out next steps. The West Liberty (KY) Christian Church was destroyed; IDES has been in contact with West Liberty”s minister and Kentucky Christian University has offered to be a distribution point for supplies.
Volunteer teams are also on the ground in Ohio and Illinois. One of the organization”s Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) from Loveland, OH, responded immediately to the crisis.
In Missouri, IDES still has a base camp at West Side Christian Church in Joplin, and volunteers are booked throughout 2012 to continue work there. IDES says these volunteers are ready and willing to respond to the other disasters in Missouri and Kansas, if needed.
IDES will continue to update its website with the latest information.
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