Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities in the WV-WMD Synod, please contact Sherri Schafer. 
Following are some of the opportunities available now.

#1.  LDR Disaster Relief Grant for  counties affected by May 2009 flooding.

#2.  LDR Disaster Relief Grant for counties affected by March 2010 flooding.

Counties include Raleigh, Summers, Fayette, Greenbrier.  Contact CLP for specific jobs.

If you would like to support Community Lutheran Partners relief effort, please send donations to: 
CLP, PO Box 3054, Wheeling, WV 26003.

National Relief Work Opportunities

#1.  LDR Disaster Relief Grant for counties affected by May 2009 flooding.

Nashville, Tennessee – Between 10 and 15 inches of rain fell May 1-2, 2010 causing significant flooding in some areas.  Volunteers are needed for cleanup and repairs.  For more information on volunteering and volunteer housing call 615-630-8565 or send E-mail to middletn.ldr@gmail.com.


Yazoo City, Mississippi – Seven counties were affected by an F4 tornado on April 24, 2010.  The tornado was 1.5 miles wide and traveled 149 miles.  Volunteers are needed for rebuilding.  For updates on volunteering call Suzie Harvey, Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi at 228-369-0275 (c) or E-mail Suzie at sharvey@elsm.org. 

Volunteers are also needed to repair and rebuild in Yazoo City.  Contact Pastor Caleb Clark, Calvary Baptist Church, 1408 Jackson Avenue, Yazoo City.  Office phone: 662-746-3719, cell: 662-590-5647 or send E-mail to circleof12@yahoo.com.


New England – March storms have caused widespread flooding in New England, affecting thousands.  For more information and to volunteer call 1-866-537-1379, toll free or contact Christopher Thatcher, Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator for New England. Direct phone: 978-729-2704, office 781-997-0810.
You can also go to www.lssne.org  and contact Chris by E-mail.


Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Flood related needs still exist in Cedar Rapids.
Corridor Recovery is your connection to local organizations which recruit and manage volunteers. Individuals who would like to volunteer to help with flood recovery can sign-up online www.corridorrecovery.org/Volunteer/ or call the Volunteer Center at 319-540-4810.


Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Services in Iowa
Contact Pastor Michael Stadie at 563-322-7419 or michael.stadie@LSIowa.org.


First United Methodist Church
1298 Seventh Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302
Call 319-377-4856


Georgia – Seventeen counties were affected by flooding including Cobb County near Atlanta, and three counties in Northwest Georgia – Catoosa, Walker and Chattooga Counties. 3800 families impacted. For more information or to volunteer contact Hal Shope 404-680-6860.


Western New York – Several hundred homes were affected as a result of August 2009 flooding in Erie, Cattaragus, and Chautaqua Counties in Western New York.  Volunteer rebuilding teams are requested.  Some assistance with lodging and meals is available.  Contact:  Volunteer/Construction Coordinator Tom Gould at 716-725-4219 or  gofarm6@yahoo.com.I

#2.  LDR Disaster Relief Grant for counties affected by March 2010 flooding.  Counties include Raleigh, Summers, Fayette, Greenbrier.  Contact CLP for specific jobs.

West Virginia – To assist in flood recovery contact Sherri Schafer, Executive Director of Community Lutheran Partners at 304-312-4222 or sherri@clp-online.org.  There is a cost of $25 per person to cover liability insurance for each volunteer.

f you would like to support Community Lutheran Partners relief effort, please send donations to: 
CLP, PO Box. 3054, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Gulf Coast Relief Work Opportunities

Please remember this information changes as recovery progresses. 

LOUISIANA

St. Bernard Project
8324 Parc Place
Chalmette, LA 70043
Phone: (504) 277-6831
www.stbernardproject.org
General Inquiries- info@stbernardproject.org
Volunteer Inquiries- volunteer@stbernardproject.org
On the first work day, volunteers participate in orientation at the St. Bernard Project office, learn about the Project, receive volunteer assignments, and get directions to the work site.
You are responsible for your housing and meals. 
Housing is available at Camp Hope 3, 1914 Aycock Street, Arabi, LA 70032
Phone: 504-355-4442, www.stbernardproject.org
Other housing options are listed on the St. Bernard Project web site.


Camp Restore – RAI Ministries (Recovery Assistance, Inc.)
9301 Chef Menteur Highway
New Orleans, LA 70127
Telephone
Toll-Free Phone Number: 1-888-248-2636 (Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore)
504-242-2636 (Camp Restore)
Fax: 504-242-5885 (Camp Restore)
www.raiministries.org
Construction and non-construction opportunities are available for groups.


Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response
Contact: Jessica Vermilyea, State Director, Lutheran Disaster Response,
1717 Tchoupitoulas Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Cell: 504-376-9121
jessica.vermilyea@lsss.org
Volunteers are referred to other partners in the area that continue to house and coordinate. Referral list is available by request.


Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Toll-Free Phone Number 866-732-6121
www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/gulfcoast/volunteervillages-index.htm
Three locations are hosting teams, in response to Hurricane Katrina.  They are Houma, Lake Charles and New Orleans.


Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church  
5800 Canal Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: 504-482-4994
Mailing address: PO Box 791163, New Orleans, LA 70179
info@gracenola.com
Pastor Leon Philpot, Synodically Authorized Minister
lphilpot@cox.net
Grace continues to host and recruit volunteers well into 2010.


Operation Nehemiah
400 N. Rampart Street, 2nd Floor
New Orleans, LA  70112
www.operationnehemiah.com
Fred Franke, Director
504-782-3337
ffranke@operationnehemiah.com, ffranke@cox.net
There are several housing options ranging from a donation of $8 to $45 per person per day or night.
Projects fall in Four Categories:

• Individual & Family Projects - although some of these fall in the category of demolition, most deal with every stage of rebuilding.
• Community Projects - this could be anything to help restore the community.
• Green Projects - this could be tree plantings, wetlands restoration, and more.
• Specialty Projects - work with the elderly, youth, at-risk children and homeless.

MISSISSIPPI

Camp Victor – Futures for Families
1515 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Phone: 228-875-0313
Fax: 228-875-7328
www.futuresforfamilies.org
The cost for housing and meals is $25.00 per person per night.
Accepts youth groups in accordance with the camps youth policy between ages 14-17


Moravian Disaster Response – Mississippi Mission
Mississippi Mission House
6809 Oakhurst Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Phone: 336-225-3540
www.moravianmission.org/mdr/ms_mission_house.pdf
Mark Ebert, Director of Volunteer Ministries
mebert@mcsp.org
Mark will provide help in your planning process, including your housing options and offer work coordination through the appropriate agency.
Mississippi Mission House has beds for sleeping 10. Must cook your own meals. A donation of $200 is encouraged to offset utilities.
iaiministries.org


Heritage United Methodist Church
4322 Popps Ferry Road
D’Iberville, MS 39540
Phone: 228-392-4288
Sheila Gillies – 228-861-6039, shegill@juno.com
heritageumc2@cableone.net
www.heritageumc2.org
Housing costs – no charge, donations accepted to help defray expenses
On your own for meal preparation, bring food and cooks/kitchen help.
Minimum age – 15 years and older


Hope Community Development Agency
East Biloxi Coordination Relief & Redevelopment
www.hopecda.org
Contact Brian Rivers, Volunteer Coordinator
425 Division Street
Biloxi, MS 39530
Office: 228-435-7180
Cell: 228-918-0229
brivers@hopecda.org
Housing at Seashore United Methodist Assembly (see below).


Seashore United Methodist Assembly – Housing in Biloxi for Volunteers
1410 Leggett Drive
Biloxi, MS 39530
Phone: 228-436-6767
sumasuma@bellsouth.net
www.seashoreassembly.org


Mississippi United Methodist Disaster Response and Katrina Recovery
To help with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi
Toll-Free Phone Number: 866-435-7091
www.mississippi-umc.org/pages/detail/763
disastercenter@meridianumc.org
Two camps currently function on the Mississippi Coast.  They are Camp Love, 13183 C John Clark Road, Gulfport and Camp Hope, 13624 Highway 57, Vancleave.
Each of the camps requires a $15.00 donation per day per person to operate the camp.  This figure includes lodging costs and food.


Mission on the Bay – Futures for Families
647 DeMontluzin St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Phone: 228-466-2900
Fax: 228-466-2999
www.futuresforfamilies.org
The cost for housing and meals is $25.00 per person per night.
Accepts youth groups in accordance with the camps youth policy between ages 14-17


Rebuild Lakeshore, a ministry of Lakeshore Baptist Church
Lakeshore Baptist Church Mailing address:
P O Box 293
Lakeshore, MS 39558
Lakeshore Baptist Church Street address:
6028 Lakeshore Road
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (west of Bay St. Louis and Waveland)
Phone: 228-469-0110
www.lakeshorebaptist.net
Pastor: Don A. Elbourne Jr.
Cell phone: 228-671-6315
elbourne@lakeshorebaptist.net
Housing costs – no charge, donations accepted to help defray expenses
No age restrictions.


Hancock Housing Resource Center
www.hancockhrc.org
Contact Rick Shepler, Construction Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator
Office Phone:  228-463-8887
Wk. Cell: 228-344-8129
Cell: 228-365-5588
rsheplersr@gmail.com