HELP US HELP SWANNANO, NC!

First United Church of Christ, Green Bay, WI is sending an adult work team to Swannanoa, North Carolina, leaving April 11, returning April 17, to help repair homes after Hurricane Helene stalled in the Appalachians, September 27, 2024. In less than 24 hours, heavy rains and strong winds washed away mountainsides and homes and lives.

Today, after six months and hundreds of volunteers showing to work from across the country, there is still much to do. It will take years to rebuild communities in the area.

In the initial days of a disaster, "discovery" is the #1 job...finding people, assessing damage. Then, it's clearing out piles of debris, moving foundations and cement block, rebuilding bridges, creating make-shift shelters for the homeless.

Now, six months later, there is still more clean-up to do and the bigger job of restoring usable houses or building new ones is the main goal. People want to come back home, to move out of tents and temporary shelters. To find some stability after such a traumatic event.

Many people have asked us what ITEMS they could send along to help the recovery effort! At this point, as Swannanoa businesses are trying to re-open, our work team has decided to rather collect FUNDS and buy building supplies and household items from local businesses there, to help the stores recover and give to the local economy.

Our church will be contributing $2,000 toward our work. We know many of you want to help - to be a part of this mission - so we have set a GFM goal of $1,000 and are asking all of you to consider a generous blessing on this community. Thank you so very much.

The First United Church of Christ Mission Team