From the Church of the Nazarene:

Hurricane Sandy: Your Urgent Help is Needed

05 November 2012
Hurricane Sandy Relief Desperately Needed

With almost 100 people dead, countless homes destroyed, power still down, and public transportation limited, many living in the northeastern United States are still strongly experiencing the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

A team of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and Nazarene Disaster Response leaders has been on the ground in New York and New Jersey since Wednesday assessing the impact of the storm on Nazarene congregations. Early reports show that several church buildings, church members, and their communities have been affected. The Jersey City Church of the Nazarene is completely flooded. Both the Flushing First Church of the Nazarene and Brooklyn Bethel Church of the Nazarene pastor’s homes are currently unlivable.

Far Rockaway Community Church of the Nazarene has opened its doors as a shelter to church and community members who have nowhere to go. Half of the church members, including the pastor, who live in this already impoverished neighborhood, have homes that are also uninhabitable.

“We are going to have a lot of work to do in Metro New York,” said Jay Height, USA/Canada NCM regional coordinator. “We want to get resources to them and develop a strategy to help stabilize families and begin the rebuilding process.”

Countless churches are already serving as centers of help in their neighborhoods. Many people are still living without the basics and are desperate for water, food, gas, batteries, flashlights, and blankets. There is a chance that New York and New England could experience a nor’easter next week, which poses an even greater challenge to those without electricity.

NCM and NDR will help with immediate relief and long-term recovery in communities that need it the most. Right now, NCM is working with the Wesleyan Church to combine relief efforts. The church has already mobilized all of the remaining Crisis Care Kits in its warehouses. If you would like to contribute kits, visit ncm.org/cck to learn how.

Pray for those whose family members have died, homes are damaged, and communities are devastated, and give to NCM’s Hurricane Sandy disaster response efforts today Donate online by clicking here. Money raised will help Nazarene brothers and sisters and their communities in the hurricane destruction zone.

There will be more details coming about volunteer opportunities to aid in the relief effort. If you would like to volunteer, call NCM USA/Canada at (800) 306-9950, or register at serve.nazarene.org.

If you would like to receive updates in the future about NCM’s response to Hurricane Sandy or other NCM programs, sign up at ncm.org.

You can donate online now by clicking here.

You can also donate via text to give by texting Hope to 501501. This would be a great slide to put up for your chuch as well and an easy way to raise funds for Hurricane Sandy relief.
All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.

To Donate $10 to the Nazarene Distaster Response text the word HOPE to 501 501