One week ago, Hurricane Charley battered the southwest coast of Florida. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to help hurricane victims. The hurricane was the strongest storm to hit Florida in a dozen years and has killed at least 23 people. Strong winds and heavy rains demolished mobile home parks, damaged tens of thousands of structures, and left thousands homeless. Over 380,000 people remain without electricity.
The hurricane's path cut from Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Arcadia to Orlando and Daytona Beach.
"I have toured affected areas and seen the extensive damage caused by the hurricane," said Bishop John B. Lipscomb of Southwest Florida. "Two to three parishes in the diocese are doing major relief work and are feeding and housing people from the community," said Lipscomb.
On behalf of the Episcopal Church, ERD is providing emergency assistance to the Diocese of Southwest Florida to supply temporary shelter, electrical generators, emergency food, and other humanitarian needs for vulnerable families affected by the storm.
"St. John's Church on Pine Island and St. Edmund's Church in Arcadia are open as relief centers and provide a ministry of presence to relief workers and the community," said the Rev. Canon Michael Durning, Canon to the Ordinary for the diocese.
ERD is in contact with the Diocese of Central Florida and stands ready to respond to their needs following the hurricane. For updates on ERD's response to Hurricane Charley, visit www.er-d.org.
To assist people affected by Hurricane Charley, donate to the US Hurricane Relief Fund at www.er-d.org or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o US Hurricane Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.
