ALCOA, Tenn. (Sept. 5, 2019) -- Holston Conference is joining with UMCOR to help survivors of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and Carolinas.

Yesterday, the Rev. Mike Sluder asked district offices to begin collecting “cleaning kits” and “hygiene kits” by Oct. 1. He also asked church members to give financially to UMCOR. Sluder is Holston’s director of connectional ministries.

“While we do not know the full extent of damage as of yet, we do want to be prepared to serve others in their time of need,” Sluder said in a Sunday bulletin insert prepared for congregants.

In Marion, Virginia, the Rev. Harry Howe said he is preparing to take stockpiled relief kits, previously collected by Holston churches, to UMCOR depots. Howe is director of Project Crossroads, where Holston’s missions trailer and disaster-response supplies are stored.  

“It’s early, and after assessments are done, we will hear what the needs are. I’m having some folks helping to load the trailer on Saturday morning, so it will be ready,” said Howe.

Physician assistant students from Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences will help load the trailers, Howe said.

“I already have around 600 [cleaning] buckets and probably 1,200 hygiene kits on hand,” Howe said. Additional relief kits are stored at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Cleaning kits and hygiene kits are needed to replenish the stockpiled supplies that will be delivered as soon as UMCOR calls for them, Howe said. 

How to help with relief kits

Here are instructions for assembling cleaning kits and hygiene kits.

Contact your district office for information on where to deliver the relief kits.

How to give financially

Write checks to "Holston Conference" with “Dorian Response” on the memo line. Mail to: Holston Conference, P.O. Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701.

Individuals may also give to UMCOR online:

International disaster response

U.S. disaster response

Sunday bulletin insert

Here is a Sunday bulletin insert to download and share with congregants.