Anything that causes human suffering or creates human needs that the victims
cannot alleviate themselves.

We can always go online to the UCC website for the most current disaster response information:
www.ucc.org and click on the link to “Wanted: Disaster Recovery Volunteers”
or www.maineucc.org and click on the link: Disaster Response Team
or you can contact Lorraine Martin, DRT Coord. at ljmartin@suscom-maine.net or 865-1162.

• UCC Disaster Recovery Work Group Opportunities Available

• Seeking Long-Term Disaster Recovery Volunteers

• Volunteer Application

• Adult Release Form

• Parental Release Form

Volunteer for disaster areas:
Trips are scheduled throughout the year for New Orleans, Biloxi, MS and the Florida Conference.
The only requirement is an open mind to help those in need, a roll up your sleeve attitude, compassion and , oh, yes: HUMOR.

Donations:
Gas cards or money to offset trip costs; offer vans for the trips; donate air miles for the trips, donate money for building supplies for the homes that will be rebuilt or scholarship assistance to those participating in the work trips

Help with fund raising efforts:
Your fund raising ideas are always welcome. Be creative, have fun and raise lots of money to help the victims of disaster.

Pray:
For the all those affected by the disasters and for those who volunteer so graciously of their time and talents.

In New Orleans, the Rev. Alan Coe, the South Central Conference Minister for Disaster Recovery, coordinates the UCC response. www.ucc.org Click on the link to "Wanted: Disaster Recovery Volunteers"

If your congregation is interested in sending volunteers to a Gulf Coast
community, the Disaster Response Team can help you.

Begin by assembling a work group and identifying a leader.
Contact Lorraine Martin, 207-865-1162. She can help you organize a trip.

If you cannot go as a volunteer to help out, support those who can through
your local church, the Maine Conference Disaster Response Team, or our UCC
National hurricane recovery fund, Hope Shall Bloom.

a.. Do reach out. Don't assume others are doing everything.
b.. Familiarize yourself with the affected area and families.
c.. Be especially alert to the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. It is not uncommon for
     less-than-honest contractors to suddenly show up with promises of quick repairs. This is a rip-off.
d.. Contact your local American Red Cross (ARC), Salvation Army, and other local churches; and if no
     one is already doing it, organize a team to distribute coffee, soft drinks, donuts, and sandwiches for
     the cleanup workers and victims. Large group dinners are good too. Be especially alert for signs of
     trauma.
e.. Register with your local ARC and county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) office (see below)
     to have them contact you for any unmet needs.
f.. Contact other local churches to consider holding a community service this Sunday, or as soon as practical. Somebody will need to publicize this.
g.. Trusting that these events further affirm the value of a disaster
response ministry, if your church does not have a disaster coordinator then
this is a good time to fix that. Identify a person(s) and have them contact
Lorraine Martin at (207) 865-1162 orljmartin@suscom-maine.net

a.. Don't assemble a work team to do cleanup unless you have been invited,
know the people, or are directed by another agency. Large numbers of
well-intentioned people who simply show up cause great problems.
b.. Don't start collecting anything unless the need for those items has
been publicized. Unwanted donations just add to the disaster.
c.. The large number of downed trees and limbs tempts many to get out
their chain saw and go help. Unless you are professional or close to it, you
must have the permission of a homeowner and, even with it, you have serious
liability risks. Don't just rush out to help remove tree damage.
d.. For many storm victims, it is going to take a long time for recovery
to happen. Even after the physical damage has been repaired, emotional
scars remain. Don't forget them.

* Please pray for all those affected by the flood conditions.

** Cleaning kits are almost always needed and always very much appreciated.
for future reference, here are the ingredients for disaster cleaning kits:

Cleaning Kits

Personal Care Kits

It would be great if your church kept a supply of disaster response kits.

If the kits are on hand in various locations, we will be ready to respond when the next need occurs. Easy instructions for assembling cleaning kits are below. This is a great project for a Sunday School class, youth group, men's or women's group. Your help is needed.

Each Personal Care Kit includes:

a.. A large container of Clorox Cleanup* disinfectant cleaner
b.. A scrub brush
c.. A wire, metal cleaning brush**
d.. A pair of rubber gloves
e.. A large heavy duty sponge
f.. Some plastic trash bags
g.. A common household bucket
h.. A personal note
* Please include this specific brand of cleaner.

** Metal cleaning brush needed; grill cleaning brushes are not
effective. Appropriate brushes can be found in home improvement stores with
painting supplies.

a.. A bar of soap
b.. A wash cloth and hand towel
c.. A disposable razor
d.. A small container of shave cream
e.. Six band-aids
f.. A tooth brush
g.. A small tube of tooth paste
h.. A comb
i.. A small container of deodorant
j.. A nail file
k.. A personal note

All ingredients should be placed in the bucket, which will be placed in a 12" x 12" x 12" box.
Place all items in a ONE-GALLON ZIP-LOCK BAG. Place as many bags as will fit in the 12" x 12" x 12" box supplied by the Disaster Response Team.

* Volunteers are needed in the days immediately after a disaster and for months - sometimes years - afterward. Needs vary with the type of disaster and with each stage of disaster response.

a.. The emergency stage (days or weeks following the disaster) involves meeting urgent needs such as
     helping to establish emergency shelters or feeding stations.
b.. The relief phase includes clean up and temporary repairs. This phase can last from one to several
     months; longer when flooding is involved.
c.. The recovery stage deals with permanent repairs and rebuilding. This stage can last from several
     months to several years. In this phase the biggest need is for skilled teams.

To find out what help is needed, e-mail Lorraine Martin or in the area of the disaster.

* There are just too many situations where money is the only answer. When appliances, household goods, and other personal items are lost, funds to purchase replacements are the only practical response.

If you would like to offer a a donation, please send checks made out to the Maine Conference UCC - Disaster Relief. Monies will be used through shared participation in local ecumenical recovery committees or at the National UCC Offices when and where appropriate need is identified.

Disaster Response Team
Maine Conference UCC
The Pennell Center
28 Yarmouth Crossing Drive
PO Box 966
Yarmouth, ME 04096-1966
Contact Person:
Lorraine Martin, Coordinator
207-865-1162 / Cell Phone: 207-329-7688
ljmartin@suscom-maine.net