California Fires Assistance Needed

California Fires Assistance Needed
The Smoke has subsided – The needs are coming forward

Below are financial requests coming to Lutheran Church Charities from Rev. Glenn Merritt, LCMS Director of Disaster Response for LCMS World Relief & Human Care .
Rev. Merritt was recently out in California assessing the needs along with those of the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS.

You can learn more about LCMS World Relief and Human care or donate to them at http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891

Requests from Ramona Lutheran Church, Rev David Keil – Requests made by Rev. Glenn Merritt

Request #1
Two Church Workers in Need
After on-site assessments of the home and property of Bill and Vivien Baker, Rev. Carlos Hernandez and I recommend that there is an immediate need of $3,000 to assist the Bakers with transitional housing, replacement of personal items, and clean up of their property.

Mr. Baker is currently serving as a DELTO vicar at Community Lutheran Church & School in Escondido, CA. His wife, Viven, works as a teaching assistant at Ramona Lutheran School and their 16 year old son lives at home and attends a local high school. The Baker’s home and all contents were completely destroyed by the fire as well as their rental apartment, rental trailer, mini van, pick up truck, tools, supplies, out-buildings, and landscaping.

The Baker’s had no insurance on the buildings or property and only minimal insurance on their personal belongings. They have been offered a home in a nearby city for 1 month while they decide what to do. They escaped with only a few personal items placed in the trunk of their car.

While they are receiving some assistance from Grace Lutheran in Escondido as well as from their home church in Ramona, the Baker’s situation is dire. Neither church is able to meet their entire short-term need.

To Donate click here for California Disaster Response Fund

Request #2—
Church Secretary at Ramona Lutheran Church
After on-site assessments of the home and property owned by Beverly,(name changed) the church secretary, Rev. Carlos Hernandez and I recommend that there is an immediate need for $1,500 to assist Beverly with transitional housing, replacement of personal items, and clean up of her property.

Beverly is a 75 year old widow who managed the property with rental space for 4 trailers available. 3 of the trailers were completely destroyed including one Beverly’s daughter and 2 grandchildren lived in. Most of the landscaping was destroyed while the horses boarded on the property were saved.

Beverly does have insurance available on the property but does not have adequate funds to replace her personal items or to assist her daughter and grandchildren in their short-term needs. This request would be deeply appreciated and extremely helpful during this stressful situation.

To Donate click here for California Disaster Response Fund

Request #3—
Church Workers
After personal visits with Marie, (name changed) long-time employee at Ramona Lutheran School, I recommend that there is an immediate need for $1,500 to help Marie with transitional housing, replacement of personal items, and clean up of her property.

Marie’s daughter is a member of Ramona Lutheran and teaches at the pre-school. Marie is well-known to both church & staff. Among the many items lost in the fire were mementos of Marie’s son, who is deceased, along with her computer that contained extensive genealogical information.

Marie’s property was insured but her short-term needs are currently unmet. This request would assist her in replacing needed personal items.

To Donate click here for California Disaster Response Fund

Request #4—
Affected Families
After visiting with Principal Nancy Knight and Pastor David Keil, Rev. Carlos Hernandez and I recommend that there is an immediate need for $1,500, along with the funds raised by Ramona Lutheran Church ($1,000-2,000),to be distributed as needed among the other needy families of the church to include John & Janice and Delores. The remainder of the unused portion could be divided as they see appropriate.

To Donate click here for California Disaster Response Fund

Request #5
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA, Rev David Weber

Rev. Carlos Hernandez and I made two separate visits to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in San Diego. During our first visit we met with 10 pastors and the Mission Facilitator, Gary Norton. On our follow-up visit we learned the following request from Rev. David Weber:

Diane (name changed) and her three children were mandatory evacuated from their home in Julian, CA. They were out of their home for a week. During that time they lost power to their home and lost all the food in the refrigerator and freezer. They had to pay for lodging and buy clothes for the family. In relationship to the fires, Diane lost her job and is now unemployed. Her rent money was spent trying to keep her head above water and now she is unable to pay her bills.

Her rent is $1500 per month with utilities an additional $500 a month. The immediate need is $5,000 to help her through this month and the next month as well. Diane is a member in good standing in our church, Our Redeemer Lutheran, San Diego.

After consultation with Pastor Weber, Rev Carlos Hernandez and I concur that the need is dire and the situation is desperate for this single mother and her 3 children.

A follow up assessment will be conducted within the next 30 days to determine if additional assistance is needed.

To Donate click here for California Disaster Response Fund