"Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota expresses the love of Christ for all people through acts of service."

LSS Disaster Services
Following a major domestic disaster, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) works together with the national office of Lutheran Disaster Response to bring help, hope and healing to disaster survivors and their caregivers. Lutheran Disaster Response is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

In Minnesota, LSS coordinates volunteers, contributions and resources from Lutheran congregations, and other Minnesotans who wish to help minister and care for the needs of children, families and elderly who have been affected by natural or human-caused disasters.

Current Updates:

SE MN Flood Update
The devastating floods of August 2007 in the Southeastern part of MN continue to impact residents and businesses across 6 counties. Over 4,000 volunteers from MN and the surrounding region have already come together to assist those affected by these floods. Much work remains and your assistance is needed as we move into the rebuilding and long term recovery phases of this disaster.

At the current time, Lutheran Social Service/Lutheran Disaster Response is working in six counties in southeastern Minnesota, with staff based in Fillmore and Winona counties. Our staff are focusing on helping residents in all counties (Fillmore, Winona, Houston, Wabasha, Olmsted, Dodge) with the following needs:

• Coordinating skilled volunteers for rebuilding efforts. 2 Site Coordinators are organizing the rebuilding efforts in Winona County (headquartered at 62 West 3rd St) and Rushford (Rushford Lutheran Church, 101 S Mill Street in Rushford). We anticipate close to 130 homes will need our rebuilding assistance in these counties.

  A Volunteer housing facility “Camp St. Mark” has just opened in Rushford for long-term volunteers who will be assisting throughout the region. Information about other housing opportunities is available by contacting one of our volunteer coordinators (listed below).

• Providing Case Management for long term recovery in these communities. We currently have 2 case managers working in partnership with the Salvation Army in both Winona (60 West 3rd St., Winona) and Rushford (Rushford Lutheran Church, 101 S Mill Street in Rushford)

Volunteer
If you are interested in serving as a skilled volunteer in rebuilding homes, please contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators:

• Rolf Wangberg (Rushford): 507-864-4215 (office) 507-990-4417 or rolf.wangberg@lssmn.org
• Rick Lane (Winona): 507-457-8882 (office) 507-884-6381 (cell) or rick.lane@lssmn.org

Need Assistance?
If you, or someone you know, was affected by these floods and is need of assistance, please contact one of our Case Managers:

• Nancy Beers (Rushford): 507-864-4214 (office) 507-990-5307 (cell) or nancy.beers@lssmn.org
• Maggie Modjeski (Winona/Wabasha Counties) 507-990-5284 or maggie.modjeski@lssmn.org

Financial Contributions
Financial contributions continue to be essential to the LSSMN/LDR response in SE MN. Your donations go towards providing building materials and tools, direct assistance to residents affected by the floods, and providing staff in these areas.

Please make checks out to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Memo: Disaster Services, 2485 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, or donate online by clicking here.

Thank you for extending your support to our neighbors in southeastern Minnesota.

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Volunteer Opportunity in the Gulf Coast
If you are interested in building a home in the Gulf Coast with Habitat for Humanity and a Lutheran congregation through MN Gulf Connections, there’s an opportunity available for you:

Dates: November 25 – December 2, 2007
Location: Louisiana
Cost: $250/bus transportation, $100 for housing and meals

Please call or email Pastor Zielske if you are interested in volunteering with his group or if you need more information. 507-685-2169 or zielske@cvtel.net

 

Previous Disaster Highlights:

• Camp Noah 2007
• Become a Disaster Response Volunteer