why the elca disaster response?

i just recieved this in an email from my synod office today. since i have chosen the lutheran disaster response as my "place to give" for katrina i thought this might be helpful to all of you...

WHY GIVE TO THE ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE?

Someone called the Synod House, asking why ELCA pastors and congregations should give to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (DDR) for Hurricane Katrina relief instead of giving to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army or another major U.S. charity?

This is a very good question, especially with all the news and entertainment media attention on gifts to the Red Cross. Although ELCA Domestic Disaster Response/Lutheran Disaster Response works closely with other domestic disaster agencies like the Red Cross, here are three good reasons to give to DDR:

+ 100 percent of your gift will go to Hurricane Katrina relief.
+ If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Thrivent will give $1 for every $2 you give, up to $300. For example, if you give $600, Thrivent will add $300 to your gift (check www.thrivent.com)
+ The ELCA has a reputation for being on site, helping in disaster recovery, long after other groups have left. For example, nearly four years after 9/11 we are still working in New York City.

Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of the ELCA (through ELCA Domestic Disaster Response) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, provides unique services. In addition to meeting those needs often not covered by federal and other agencies, LDR provides spiritual and emotional counseling services, with attention to care for the care givers, and attends to the needs of children through the Camp Noah day camps. Much more at www.elca.org/disaster.

You can contribute to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response through your congregation or synod office or directly by mail (checks payable to "ELCA Domestic Disaster Response") to PO Box #71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764 (note "Hurricane Katrina relief" on the memo line) or with a credit card by phone (800/638-3522) or online www.elca.org/giving.

once again, anything that you can give is worth it, even if it's not through the elca. and you don't have to give hundreds of dollars to make a difference. a friend of mine gave $5 to the humane society to help care for displaced animals. so much is needed by so many that every cent matters and has the potential for making a difference.

and continue to pray... for the people affected by the katrina, for the people who are caring for them, and for the leaders of this country to do their best for all of us.