How Can I Help? The Alliance Response

November 2, 2012

Many have asked how they can help with the relief efforts. A number churches have offered to send work teams to areas most affected by the tragedy.

Phil Skellie, president of Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance, cautions against deploying teams until the necessary work of assessment is made.

“From previous catastrophes we have learned that rushing in too quickly often adds to the chaos. It is important that we let the Metropolitan District’s newly assembled Relief Team make an initial assessment of the most pressing needs before sending teams into the affected areas.

“This way we can be sure that these needs are met with greater efficiency and collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies and relief organizations. With all the rebuilding that is needed, we feel certain there will be many opportunities for work teams to respond. We just need to wait until the timing is right.”

How can the greater Alliance family best respond to the immediate crisis?

1. Pray that those who are left without heat, food, shelter and power will find immediate refuge and help. Pray also that the Alliance family in the surrounding area will respond to both churched and unchurched victims with tangible expressions of love by caring for some of these immediate needs.
2. Give to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and help CAMA spearhead immediate relief efforts. CAMA has made $15,000 available to assist people hardest hit in Long Island and the New Jersey shore. Those who have lost their homes need temporary housing and rent assistance. As more funds are given, CAMA and the C&MA’s Metropolitan District will work together to ensure that these funds are applied where most needed.

For more information about how your church can get involved in future rebuilding efforts, contact Paul Kaiser, the head of the Metropolitan District Relief Team, at [email protected], or Anthony Morici, coordinator of the King of Kings Community Church (Manahawkin, N.J.) outreach effort, at [email protected].