Kansas East Methodist Assistance

www.KansasEast.org


I spoke with Ben Moore in March, and was highly impressed with what has been accomplished here so far.

He gave me the background on how the Kansas East Conference of the UMC got involved. Having dealt with flood situations so extensively in their home district, they felt they would be well suited to assist in the recovery.

Well, when they got into Bay St. Louis, they were not prepared for the devestation that was before them. However, they did what they could, started with baby steps and are now finally walking at full stride. Running is going to take awhile yet, but they're getting there.

The volunteers of the Kansas East Conference brought tools, garden carts, cleaning supplies and a host of other items to assist. They kept the dignity of the residents by requiring a minimal deposit for use of the tools, only to be given the deposit back after 1 week's use of the tools. What a great idea!

The volunteers from around the country who came to assist KEC were mudding out homes until December when gutting the houses began. They are now both gutting and helping rebuild the homes - approximately 230 homes at this time, with more coming in for assistance all the time.

Needs

Skilled Labor - primarily Electricians and Sheetrock tapers. While most of us have done taping and minor plaster work, they need experienced people in this.

Contact Julie Phol for more information if you want to schedule with them...

Team Openings: Bay St.Louis, Mississippi – Team Schedule
5-28-06 6-3-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 10 people max
5-28-06 6-3-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 10 people max
5-28-06 6-3-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 10 people max
6-4-06 6-10-06 KEC/Church of the Resurr. Open 12 people max
6-4-06 6-10-06 KEC/Flint Hills District Open 15 people max
6-4-06 6-10-06 KEC/Lawrence Central Open 10 people max
6-11-06 6-17-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC Open 10 people max
7-23-06 7-29-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC Open 10 people max
7-30-06 8-5-06 KEC/Hiawatha Trinity Open 15 people max
8-13-06 8-19-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 people max
9-24-06 9-30-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 People ma
10-8-06 10-14-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 people max
10-22-06 10-28-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 people max
11-5-06 11-11-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 max
11-20-06 12-2-06 Open Julie Pohl 785-989-3237 KEC 10 people max

Printer - I'm hoping I can find one locally for them. There are so many waiting in storage at the moment, I'm sure there's one that can be lent or even given to assist in their efforts.

Ladders - All types will be very welcome!

Nail Guns - For roofing, not finishing.

Compressors - To run the nail guns - makes sense, right?

Saw Horses - Pretty easy - many are collapsible, and you can also get kits to make them out of 2x4's in no time - so there are many options for collecting or shipping.

Gift Cards - Walmart, Lowes and HomeDepot are within an hour's drive, so are the best to give
Also - check this post for other stores:
http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2006/02/stores-to-buy-gift-cards-through.html

Money - While they are still unable to give any funding directly to the residents, this will hopefully be resolved in the next month or so. Small amounts of money donated go to replacing or adding to the tool collection as well as paying for the phone service. There still is no landline at the church, so all phone service is strictly cellular.

Make the checks out to: Main Street Disaster Response.

Mail to:
Main Street United Methodist Church
PO Box 28
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

The following is a FAQ Sheet that I found on the KEC website - it's the only place I've seen it, but will also post it to the UMCOR post.
http://66.51.169.7/uploads/Katrina_Aid_e-mail_version.pdf

And finally - please visit Ben's personal Blog - www.TheRoadBeyond.Blogspot.com
He's a long way from home and it's his way of communicating with his family and friends.