Sept. 28 Update:

Despite the short notice there was a tremendous response to the recent call for Hurricane Laura disaster relief assistance.

Considering the number of hygiene kits and monetary donations received, Mission Committee funds of $1,000 will match this effort – thanks so much for your generous support!

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is providing relief to many areas devastated by natural disasters recently through Presbyterian Disaster Relief (PDA). Hurricane Laura and the recent storms in Iowa are just two examples. Below is information about how to designate gifts to each situation. An immediate way you can be of help is to contribute $75 to pay for a “Gift of the Heart” kit, which provides essential needs for those recovering from or experiencing homelessness because of these and other crises.

The link to pay for a Gift of the Heart kit and other items through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is (or see link at top of page):

https://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/#hygiene .

To learn more about how you can help, visit https://pda.pcusa.org/

Hurricane Laura, the strong category 4 storm, made landfall in the early hours of August 27th on the coast of Louisiana, about 30 miles from the Texas border, bringing lashing rain and sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. While the storm was downgraded to a category 2 as it moved further inland, hurricane-force winds and widespread damage continued.

PDA is working with our international partners where Hurricane Laura impacted Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in addition to the affected U.S. presbyteries.

To support our response to Hurricane Laura, designate gifts to DR000194

On August 10, severe thunderstorms with long track damaging winds (derecho) devastated Iowa, causing widespread power outages for more than 150,000 people for several days. As many as 14 million acres of farmland were also damaged by the storm.

PDA is working with the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa, Des Moines, Prospect Hill and East Iowa to respond to this storm. National Response Team members are virtually deployed to assist with the initial response. To be notified of opportunities for volunteers within driving distance who do not need overnight accommodations, email pda.callcenter@pcusa.org

To support this response, designate gifts to DR000015.