Southern Indiana Tornado Relief - How to Help

From Kathy Copas, Diocesan Communications Director --

PRAY for those who have been affected by the unprecedented 49-mile stretch of tornado storms across our diocese and those who are helping with clean up and relief. There is still a surreal quality about this crisis for most. There will be enormous emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual needs for a long time to come as these communities work to achieve what one victim termed "a new normal." .

GIVE money. Relief agencies are basically overwhelmed right now with "stuff." It is mostly being trucked and warehoused in nearby communities because the affected areas have nowhere to store it. These items and more will be needed as the rebuilding stage of this crisis gears up. But, for now, think $$$ instead of things like bleach and bedding. Many persons were uninsured, underinsured, or renting without home content protection. Many lost both their homes and vehicles. Many of those who are insured are facing very large insurance deductible expenses. And, there are still far too many medical and burial costs continuing to add up.

The Rev. Jeff Bower, from St. John's Speedway, has suggested a wonderful themed activity to help raise funds this weekend, as we change our clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

1. CHANGE your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
2. Offer your loose CHANGE from pocket or purse to help tornado victims
3. CHANGE their lives!

You can donate to our diocesan Southern Indiana Tornado Relief Fund, either by sending a check to the diocesan office marked for this fund OR donating electronically via our diocesan website homepage www.indydio.org. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is in contact with us daily and is presently collecting gifts for the multi-state area hit by Friday's tornadoes. You can connect with their donation options by going to www.er-d.org.

STAY INVOLVED. Join our Facebook community conversations on how our diocesan tornado relief fund should best be used. Share your ideas. Get the fastest updates, photos, and video from those at work in the field. Learn about real-time requests for help and opportunities to get involved. Help us to stay in this crisis for the long haul, long after it has disappeared from the front page of the newspaper and CNN. In reality, that's when the help will REALLY be needed. Southern Indiana Hoosiers are resilient people… and we're already seeing small glimpses of Southern Indiana rising once more.

Questions or ideas? Contact Kathy Copas, 502-345-6406