MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA – United Methodists from across North Dakota and South Dakota have answered the call from Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area, to give bountifully to others during the 2013 Thanksgiving Appeal.  $20,000 was gathered from churches and individuals.

(AP Photo/Rapid City Journal, Kristina Barker, File Photo)  A dead cow lies in the snow near Sturgis, S.D., during an autumn blizzard.

$10,000 will assist those that were hit hard by autumn snowstorm, “Blizzard  Atlas”. The Oct. 10 storm that hit with surprising intensity brought first rain and then up to 4 feet of snow to western South Dakota, killing nearly 22,000 cattle, 1,400 sheep, 300 horses and 40 bison. The South Dakota Rancher Relief Fund assists ranchers and families trying to re-establish herds. 

Haiti Solar Oven Partners (HSOP) will also receive $10,000.  HSOP has placed more than 8,000 solar ovens in the hands of trained Haitians in its 14-year history. But the need is urgent and demand is exploding. HSOP hopes to place 2,000 ovens with trained Haitians in 2014.

“The generosity of United Methodist throughout the Dakotas will reach far and wide.  I am grateful for the response to the 2013 Thanksgiving Appeal,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough.