Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a trail of devastation across much of the southeastern U.S. this fall. There are still people whose homes are unihabitable and relief workers continue to need supplies.  

Ways to help

While volunteer opportunities will arise in the future, right now the greatest need is financial support and physical donations for cleanup and rebuilding homes, churches, and lives.

Financial Donations

Please help by donating to United Methodist Committee on Relief and the NIC Disaster Relief Fund.  You may give through your church. (Churches can give through the normal apportionment process.) Make your donation to your church and note the fund it is supporting.  We recommend one of these funds:  

• Northern Illinois Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is used to support the work of Northern Illinois Conference’s trained disaster response team, which will travel to the area when invited.  
• UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response Fund. One hundred percent of your donation directly supports recovery work for U.S. disasters, including the recent hurricanes. UMCOR is highly respected by other disaster response organizations for the quality and commitment of its work. It continues to assist with recovery for many months, even after other organizations have left the area.  

Download a bulletin insert about donating to relief.
Download a screen image about donating to relief.

Donate supplies to Midwest Mission

Midwest Mission continues to collect and ship supplies. Their supply of disaster relief are getting heavily depleted as they send supplies to areas affected by the recent hurricanes. To learn what they need right now, visit their website. Supplies and kits can be dropped off at several of the drop-off sites in our conference; see the image to the right.

Volunteer for Cleanup

DON'T travel to affected areas to try help. You will be in the way. At this stage, only trained, invited groups may enter. The NIC Disaster Response Team will announce volunteer opportunities when they arise. If you have questions, contact Colin Monk, NIC disaster response coordinator.