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The United Church of Christ is using grants from home improvement chain Lowes to help people recover from storm damage in Pennsylvania and Montana.
![](https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Eastwick-disaster-recovery-volunteer-works-on-flooring-700x823.jpeg)
UCC staff and volunteers work with local churches and community groups to make the most of the funds. Grants reached over $25,000 in Philadelphia and over $8,000 in Red Lodge, Mont State. They’re used to replace storm-damaged doors, windows, and more, supplementing government disaster funds and donations from churches to help people continue to rebuild their lives.
In both states, this work is an example of UCC’s focus on long-term recovery after a disaster. This process involves the regional conference disaster coordinator, UCC’s National Disaster Ministry, and the Ministry of Volunteers network to work with local partners to identify needs.
The ‘unmet need’ of floods
In the Eastwick area of Philadelphia, work has been going on since Tropical Storm Isaias caused “catastrophic flooding” in August 2020, Karl Jones said. As disaster coordinator for UCC’s Southeastern Pennsylvania conference, he sits with colleagues from other religious and community organizations around the Unmet Needs Roundtable in Eastwick.
When disaster strikes, such roundtables are assembled locally through the long-term recovery group process. This is the practice outlined by the network the UCC belongs to — Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
The Eastwick Roundtable roster shows broad cooperation involved in the recovery effort. In addition to UCC, its members represent:
- Religious groups such as the Lutheran Disaster Response, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, and the Salvation Army
- Community nonprofits such as Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition, Eastwick United Community Development Corporation, and The Elevated Studio
- Government representatives from the City of Philadelphia Emergency Management Agency, Sustainability Department, Housing Development Authority, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
In the aftermath of Isaias, the roundtable “identified 50 families in need of assistance in rebuilding their homes and replacing their heating and cooling systems,” Jones said.
![](https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Eastwick-disaster-recovery-Lutheran-UCC-UMC-1024x713.jpeg)
Give away store credit
In early 2022, through VOAD, the availability of Lowe’s grant came to the attention of Jones and Leslie Lemarie, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery at UCC Global HOPE. they applied. According to Jones, in June he received “$25,000 in Loews store credit and $3,500 in administration fees.”
“This grant has helped install doors, windows and garage doors for about 10 households and will go a long way toward helping us complete the remaining cases by the end of the calendar year,” Jones said. increase. “These doors and windows are installed by volunteers skilled in general construction and carpentry, and by people willing to learn.”
![](https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Eastwick-disaster-recovery-Barb-Roba-Eileen-SanPedro.jpg)
Overall, since Isaias, “volunteers have contributed 4,000 hours so far” at Eastwick, says Jones. “The contractor installed 26 air his handlers and his 6 water heaters and repaired electrical and plumbing at several homes.”
UCC is involved in Eastwick’s work in several ways.
One of its leaders, construction coordinator Eileen SanPedro, is an Eastwick resident. She offers services through her UCC Partners in Service, which is also a program for the Global HOPE team.
“UCC offers grants and the services of four UCC partners,” says Jones. “Salt and Light Community Church, UCC provided housing on-site for volunteers.”
Flooding in the Yellowstone area
Montana’s recovery grant — consisting of $8,000 in Lowe gift cards — took place on October 21st. This is his response to the June floods in and around Yellowstone Park. President Biden declared a storm disaster on June 16th.
At Red Lodge, not far from the entrance to the national park, Rock Creek flooded, damaging homes, businesses, roads and bridges.
Remaly said community participants in the Red Lodge area are coming together to assess needs and strategies, including the use of available funds. Lowe’s grant was derived from an application by the UCC Disaster Department and the Northern Wyoming Conference of Montana, in partnership with the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation and the Carbon County Long Term Recovery Group.
Representing UCC at these decision-making tables is Pastor Pam Peterson, Pastor of UCC’s Red Lodge Community Church. She also serves as a disaster coordinator for Montana and northern Wyoming.
‘It will take years to recover’
Remaly said she appreciates corporate support as one of many sources of funding for people to recover from disasters like Montana and Pennsylvania. “Lowe’s and Home Depot often offer recovery grants, and for the last few years Lowe’s has been offering these grants through National VOAD member agencies,” she said.
“The Ministry of Disaster is a National VOAD member and is pleased to apply on behalf of these groups that we have supported through the efforts of our conferences and conference disaster coordinators.”
“Long-term recovery from a disaster can take years and is a very slow and difficult process for survivors,” Jones said. We will rebuild homes and livelihoods and bring hope to our communities.”
Here you can learn how to donate to specific UCC disaster response efforts. We publish various information useful at the time of disaster. Disaster recovery efforts are also supported by donations to our church’s wider mission, One Great Hour of Sharing, and The Annual Fund.
Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the Church of Christ National Setting and may only be shared according to the guidelines outlined here.
Disaster Update Christ Church News
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