The American University United Methodist Protestant Community will be providing a number of opportunities to respond to the hurricane in New Orleans. Please check back for details.

In the meantime, the following information and links are available for those wishing to provide immediate assistance:

The need for Health Kits is especially acute, according to Gwen E. Redding, director of the Sager Brown Depot of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in Baldwin, La. The center is to the west of the major storm impact and did not sustain major damage. At present, Health Kits are in greatest demand. New blankets are preferred but recently cleaned blankets in good condition are acceptable.

A Health Kit contains specific items:

1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27")
1 wash cloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz and up)
1 toothbrush (single brush only in original wrapper; no child-sized brushes)
1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer in advance of the date of shipment to Sager Brown)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

All items should be placed inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag. No money, notes, religious or political literature, or other items should be placed in the kits. The value of a health kit is $12.00, if persons want to contribute the money. For kit contents, make gifts to UMCOR Advance #901440, "Material Resources."

Kits may also be shipped to: UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, P.O. Box 850, 131 Sager Brown Road, Baldwin, LA 70514-0850. Please also provide $1.00 per kit to cover distribution costs. This many be sent to Sager Brown to the UMCOR Advance #982730, "Contain Your Joy."

To donate online, visit http://methodistrelief.org. Besides the Web site, donations to UMCOR's relief efforts can be made through your local church. Designate checks to UMCOR for Advance No. 982523 and write "Hurricanes 2005 Global" on it. Send them to: Conference Treasurer, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite D, Columbia, MD 21046. Credit-card donations may be made by calling (800) 554-8583.

United Methodist Committee on Relief

International Red Cross Emergency Response

National Council of Churches, Church World Service