RCWS Responds to Hurricane Ike Hurricane Ike, a storm 500 miles wide, crashed into the southeast coast of Texas on Friday, causing widespread flooding and wind damage. Almost 3 million residents are without power, and nearly two thousand residents who had decided not to evacuate before the storm were rescued over the weekend. "Much of the area pounded by Hurricane Ike was also devastated by Hurricane Rita three years ago," says David Dethmers, coordinator of Reformed Church World Service (RCWS). "For three years we've been working with our partners in the Gulf Coast to assist in the rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. RCA work teams from across the country continue to work side by side with our partners in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. We will continue to invest in the Gulf Coast for months and years to come."  At this time, rescue operations continue in Texas. Once completed, specially trained early response teams will be the first to go into the affected areas, once it is judged to be safe and secure. Within a few weeks teams will be needed for clean-up operations and "mucking out" of flooded homes. The most important work, long-term recovery and redevelopment, will include the rehabilitation of damaged homes and the construction of new properties to replace those that have been obliterated by the storm or will need to be demolished. As always, RCWS will work with partners in responding to the devastation of Hurricane Ike, including Church World Service, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and United Methodist Committee on Relief. RCWS is issuing an appeal for $100,000 to respond to immediate needs and long term redevelopment. How You Can Help - Pray for those who grieve the loss of loved ones and for all those whose lives are in upheaval because of the storm.
 - Help RCWS reach its goal of $100,000 by donating generously. Contributions (designated "US Gulf Storms 2008") can be sent to Reformed Church in America, P.O. Box 19381, Newark, NJ 07195-1938 or, in Canada, to Regional Synod of Canada, 201 Paradise Road N., Hamilton, ON L8S 3T3. To donate by credit card click on the "Make a Donation" button or call the RCA Michigan Regional Center at (800) 968-3943.
- Assemble and mail Church World Service Emergency Clean-Up Buckets.
- Begin to put together a volunteer mission team from your church to assist with clean up or rebuilding in coming months.
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