|
One of our newer ELCA churchwide staff members asked yesterday why he should
give to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (DDR) for Hurricane Katrina relief
instead of giving to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army or another major U.S.
charity. It is a very good question, especially with all the news and
entertainment media attention on gifts to the Red Cross.
Although ELCA Domestic Disaster Response/Lutheran Disaster Response works
closely with other domestic disaster agencies like the Red Cross, here are three
good reasons to give to DDR:
- 100 percent of my gift will go to Hurricane Katrina relief.
- As a Thrivent member, Thrivent will match my gift (see www.thrivent.com
).
- The ELCA has a reputation for being on site, helping in disaster recovery,
long after other groups have left. For example, nearly four years
after 9/11 we are still working in New York City.
Lutheran Disaster Response provides unique services. In addition to meeting
those needs often not covered by federal and other agencies, LDR provides
spiritual and emotional counseling services, with attention to care for the care
givers, and attends to the needs of children through the Camp Noah day camps.
For those who are new: Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a
collaborative ministry of the ELCA (through ELCA Domestic Disaster Response) and
the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Churchwide staffer Heather Feltman is
the DDR director and LDR executive director. Much more at www.elca.org/disaster
You can contribute to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response through your
congregation or synod office or directly by mail (checks payable to "ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response") to P.O. Box #71764, Chicago, Illinois
60694-1764 (note "Hurricane Katrina relief" on the memo line) or with
a credit card by phone (800/638-3522) or online www.elca.org/giving
.
|
