July 2008
Lutheran Disaster Response NW Update
Contact: Norene Goplen, Lutheran Disaster Response-Northwest
Cell: 503-502-6211 LutheranAdvocate@aol.com (preferred) or Office:503-731-9519

1. Counties impacted by the Dec 07 Disaster:
Clatsop, Columbia, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill.

• Clatsop has the largest number of homes impacted.
• Columbia has the largest number of homes destroyed.
• Projects need volunteers and in some cases money for building materials.
• Additional cases in Tillamook and Yamhill counties need some help.
  
  2. A Volunteer Team Coordinator, Phyllis Wright has been employed. She has extensive experience in the gulf coast, with Red Cross, and Presbyterian Disaster Response. She has recruited and trained volunteers. To contact Phyllis email at pwright12@juno.com or call Norene's office at 503-731-9519. Projects will be ongoing for several months.
  
  3. The Tool Trailer has provided a great resource for work teams. Currently it is located in Clatsop County, and will be at sites there or in Columbia County, depending on the projects undertaken. Thanks for the church and individual donations that put the Tool Trailer on the road.
  
  4. Pressure Washer Available
  The Pressure Washer is not currently needed for disaster response. It is a commercial washer with 2200 psi. If your congregation has a moss or mold problem check it out with Norene 503-502-6211. It is located in Portland at Augustana Lutheran. Folks there can train your team in its use.
  
  5. Funds continue to be needed. Building Materials are needed now. Appliances will be needed later especially in Columbia County. Encourage groups in your congregation to consider this need. Funds can be sent to LDR-NW in Portland.
  
  6. LDR-NW Training for congregations is being prepared. We will need a trainer in each Cluster. A Train the Trainer event is being planned for this Fall. Let Norene know if you have a volunteer who would like to work with churches and their families in disaster preparedness.

Here is how LDR-NW works:
In a disaster, who are the first responders?
They are your neighbors, friends, and family. Quickly local emergency response by police, fire, and local government begin to assess and respond. With a presidential declaration, FEMA is empowered to bring financial, organizational, and networking resources. At this writing, eleven counties in Oregon and Washington have received this declaration and five more expect to receive this support.

Simultaneously, the non governmental agencies, join with their immense resources. After the first response, groups like Lutheran Disaster Response NW are prepared to assist or lead state and local volunteers in the cleanup and direct assistance needed by individuals and families.

We will also prepare for reconstruction in the affected areas. Our significant partners are the organizations that are part of the Oregon and Washington VOADS [Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster] and WIDRO [Washington Interfaith Disaster Response Organization] ORVOAD had it’s first disaster response meeting on December 11, organized by Lutheran Disaster Response NW.

Key contacts for all groups in Oregon are Norene Goplen LDR-NW LutheranAdvocate@aol.com and in Washington, Neil Molenaar of WIDRO NeilMolenaar@aol.com. Both are organizing Long Term Recovery Committees in local communities in these states. And who is there as the last responders? Your neighbors, friends, and family…and Lutheran Disaster Response is there until the job is done.

The Oregon Synod Responded
This year the 2008 Oregon Synod Bishop's Convocation was held in Seaside, Oregon. To assist in the relief efforts of those affected by the storms that recently hit Oregon and Washington, congregations were invited to pack and bring boxes of food to restart a family's pantry. Seventy-five boxes averaging about 3,200 pounds were collected and will be delivered to the Oregon coast counties that were affected by the storm. Over 134 rostered leaders and guests attended this year's Bishop's Convocation. At the Wednesday night worship service an offering of $966 was collected for Lutheran Disaster Response Northwest.
Read more>

Long Term Recovery Teams
Training for these teams took place January 24th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. All faith groups are welcome for the training. The long term committees will be involved in the communities of Astoria, Clatskanie, Seaside, Sheridan, Tillamook, Vernonia, and all of the rural and coastal communities affected by the disaster.

We Still Need Your Help
To assist in with the long-term recovery process you are encouraged to send your donations to :
ELCA Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764 , Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Make checks payable to: "ELCA Domestic Disaster Response." Please make sure to mark all donations: "For the Disaster Response in Oregon and/or Washington". More information can be found on the ELCA web site at www.elca.org/disaster. 

Funds can also be sent directly to:
Lutheran Disaster Response NW , 605 SE 39th Street, Portland OR 97214. 100% of donated money goes directly to service delivery to families and individuals.

Contact: Norene Goplen, Lutheran Disaster Response-Northwest
Cell: 503-502-6211 LutheranAdvocate@aol.com (preferred) or Office:503-731-9519

Stories of those first efforts
Galilean Chapel at Ocean Shores Washington had a generator. As the storms hit and power was lost throughout the coastal communities, they became the local shelter, feeding center, and pastoral presence helping neighbors to stay warm and secure.

First Lutheran in St Helen’s Oregon responded quickly to a rural family of eight at Deer Island who had lost their pumps. Until the pumps are repaired, they are bringing water for cooking, individual needs, sanitation needs, … and friendship. For a family ranging from a 2 year old to a disabled grandmother, it is a sign of
hope and recovery.

Congregations of the Sunset Cluster in Oregon provided help to a relief center in Vernonia, Oregon. Overwhelmed by donated food, cleanup supplies, clothing, and household goods, items were scattered on the floor. Our churches gathered tables, delivered and set them up to help their volunteers to organize material for this stricken community.

Family for Kids a program of Lutheran Community Services. The coordinator of this program in Centralia called desperate for help for four foster families listing needs such as heat; a full size bed; food; twin box mattress and box; soap; garden hoses to spray down homes; I gave her background info on resources, but if you can help contact Laverta Hartley Cell: 360-430-5681 Later we will have a coordinated process for informing you of needs.

Trinity Lutheran at Mt Vernon, Washington, has provided teams who have responded to Katrina needs in the gulf coast states. Immediately they became available for cleanup and are part of the planning process for
rebuilds in Oregon and Washington.

and…a Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator from Biloxi Mississippi called to say thank you to the teams from the Northwest who have helped them, and offered help and financial assistance to us.