From IDW; Mapleton Update

Hi,

Thank you to those who have given generously to the relief efforts in Mapleton.  Others are wondering what you can do. You can help!  I have been in nearly daily contact with the leaders at St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  You may have read in Sunday’s Des Moines Register that Mapleton did not want donations.  That is true for the city of Mapleton but not for St Matthew’s.  St. Matthew’s will continue to be a beacon of hope for the relief efforts.

Furniture and appliances are needed!!  

Please call Nancy Albers at 712-880-0232 if you have furniture or appliances to donate. 

St Matthew has set up rooms in their church to accommodate the distribution of needed items. 

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

Bath towels

Wash cloths

Laundry Detergent

Dish Soap

Canned food: fruit, vegetables, stew, soups etc

Cereal

Not flour and sugar

Brooms

If you are near Mapleton, just deliver the items to St Matthew at 504 Walnut (corner of Walnut and 5^th St.)  If you are not near Mapleton for delivery, you may send a Wal Mart gift card to me and I will see that the items are purchased for you.  

Send gift cards to:

Ellie Menz

807 W. South

Jefferson, IA 50129

Thank you for your generous hearts, Ellie Menz 515-386-8420

Mapleton Tornado Update

Reports about last weekend's tornadoes have come in from several Iowa District West congregations. 

Pastor Chuck Bettin reports that the members of Faith Lutheran, Early, and the people of the community are doing well. Pastor Michael Harman, St. Peter Lutheran, Newell reports that there are members who have lost everything and members at First Lutheran, Fonda have also been severely impacted by the storm. At this time people in those communities seem to be able to provide for one another.

St. Matthew, Mapleton has been a beacon of hope in a part of the community that was hardest hit. Although it was first thought that the building had received little damage, it now appears that there may be more extensive structural damage.

IOWAY Director, Ellie Menz has been working with Vacancy Pastor Klaus Raab and members of St. Matthew to organize the relief effort. Every member of the congregation has been contacted to assess their needs. At this point, it appears eight families lost everything. In the community approximately 100 houses were destroyed. In the short term no one is homeless, but there will be long term housing issues in the community.

Pastor Raab and members of St. Matthew have been offering spiritual comfort and physical help to those whose lives have been impacted. Jamie Nutt, Lutheran Family Service, has been offering counseling and a listening ear.

The churches in Mapleton are working together. The Roman Catholic church is the collection site for non perishable food items, bedding, health items and cleaning supplies. The Methodist Church is the center for items that people find as they clean up…photos, jewelry, documents, etc. St. Matthew is the hub for furniture and appliances that are needed.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care has offered grant money to assist the congregation and individuals in need.

Offers to help have also come from the Southern District, the Kansas District, and the Nebraska District of The LCMS.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

Pray: Pray for those who have been impacted by the storms and for our congregations that they might proclaim the love of God in word and deed in the midst of this tragedy.

Donate: A door offering in your congregation can help our sister congregations help those in need. Please, make checks payable to the congregation with 'tornado relief' on the memo and mail directly to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 504 Walnut St., Mapleton, IA 51034

Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to help with the cleanup. Call Kathy Jo at St. Matthew (712) 881-2243 to see how you can help. She will coordinate a work project and give you a bright yellow “Lutheran Servant” t-shirt to identify you as one of our volunteers.

Items Needed: 

• Non perishable food items
• Bedding
• Health care items
• Cleaning supplies
• Large stackable plastic tubs: for dry, pest-resistant storage
• RV's/Campers: to rent for a short time
• Furniture and appliances
• Empty semi trailers: for temporary storage

(Storage is an issue. People who need items and people who have items to donate are asked to call St. Matthew at 712-881-2243)

Thank you for your prayers and gifts.

How to Help Mapleton

Many families have been devastated by the recent tornadoes in Mapleton. Residents have lost homes, cars, and possessions. Some were uninsured. Hundreds of volunteers have already committed hours of labor to help with clean-up. 

Coordinators have collected lots of food and clothing, the main need they say is for money.

BE SURE TO STOP BY ST. MATTHEW'S

If you are already volunteering in Mapleton, serving meals, delivering water, or cleaning up, be sure to stop by St. Matthew Lutheran church for a free yellow volunteer's tee-shirt from Thrivent. 

504 Walnut Street
Mapleton, IA 51034-1123
(712) 881-2243

Talk to Pastor Merrill, he's the Mapleton Circuit Counselor, or Leetha Goslar or Lisa Kuhlman, our local Thrivent delegates for more information.

CENTRAL COORDINATION

If you have any questions about what is needed most and how to help, please call Mapleton City Hall (712) 881-1351. MV/AO School Superintendent Steve Oberg is helping to direct the coordination of relief efforts.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

You can send donations directly to American Red Cross, but their emergency shelter is only temporary.
4200 War Eagle Drive, Sioux City, IA 51109 and note the money is for tornado relief. Donations may also be made online at siouxlandredcross.org.

SUPPORT MV/AO at the Orpheum

According to the Sioux City Journal, the Orpheum Theatre will host a benefit for the Maple Valley - Anthon Oto School District.MV/AO students will perform "Taming the Wild, Wild West in a Dress", which was interrupted by storm sirens Friday April 8.
The event is scheduled for Monday, April 25, at 7 p.m. The MV/AL HS Jazz Choir will also perform.
$10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 3.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the school.
Call Tyson Events Center Box Office, or Ticketmaster at  800-745-3000.

HELP REBUILD

The Des Moines Register reported Thursday that donation coordinators explained that construction materials and volunteer labor are things that will be needed to help rebuild after the tornado disaster in Mapleton last week.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS: Anyone looking to donate construction labor should call Dave Hoaglund, construction foreman, at (712) 880-0112.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Rolls of plastic and tarps to cover homes in case of expected rain
- Garbage bags
- Rain ponchos
- Rubber gloves
- Cleaning buckets
- Battery-powered drills and batteries
- Gift cards to building supply stores
- 2x4s and 8x12s
- Scoop shovels

CHECK WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Iowa District West, LCMS
409 Kenyon Road, Suite B
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

515.576.7666 Phone
515.576.2323 Fax
sue.light@idwlcms.org
www.idwlcms.org