MINOT, ND  – United Methodist from across the country have been travelling to Minot, ND to help rebuild.  Volunteers from 19 states and 12 Annual Conferences have contributed close to 3,000 hours of time July 14-30, 2012. 

Rev. Debra Ball-Killbourne leads the case management effort (RAFT) in Minot, ND.  Resources Agencies Flood Team (RAFT) links people whose lives have been impacted by suffering and destruction to community based agencies and resources.  RAFT in Minot is based out of Vincent UMC.  There were 20 individuals serving as case managers providing 210 hours of service to those in need July 14-30, 2012. 

Special thanks to these groups that served in Minot during July:  Manteno UMC, Manteno, IL:; Asbury UMC, Duluth, MN, Ainsworth UMC, Ainsworth, NE;  Prescott UMC, Prsecott, AZ; Wisconsin UM Conference; Dakotas Minnesota Youth Camps; Eden Prairie MUCH, Eden Prairie MN: Westwood UMC, OH; Grinnell UMC, IA; Steele UMC, ND; McCabe UMC, ND; Excelsior UMC, MN; Dearborn Hills UMC, IN; Fletchers Lake UMC, IN; Faith UMC, Gain Valley, MD; Minnetonka UMC, MN; Dearborn Hills UMC, IN; Faith  UMC, Gran Valley, MO; First UMC, Mitchell, SD; Maxwell UMC, IA; Los Altos UMC, CA; St. James / Bixby UMC, IL; Burnswick UMC, MN; Shell Rock Valley UMC, Plymouth, IA; Evangelical UMC, New Holland, PA; Emanuel UMC, Browns Town, PA; Grace UMC, Cheyenne, WY; Virginia UMC, Virginia, MN; Nomads; Brookings UMC, SD; Hampton UMC, MN; First UMC, Gillette, WY; Hammer Memorial UMC, MO; Lamberton / Sanborn UMC, MN; Hazen UMC, ND.

There is a critical need for skilled volunteers in Minot, ND.  Please recruit a team or sponsor skilled workers to go to Minot.  Contact Bob Lower for more information at blower@dakotasumc.org or 701-721-0441.

Bob Lower, Associate Coordinator for Disaster Relief-Minot Area notes, and “The Minot flood recovery effort for rebuilding needs teams of electricians.  A team is a master electrician, two journeymen and up to four apprentices or helpers.  We would like to see churches put together and sponsor teams for a week in the flood area to assist in wiring homes that had all of the electric wires and boxes removed because of the flood.  The need is so great that we will accept individual journeymen or master electricians that can work for three or four days as a team.”