UUA News & Events: UUs in the Southeast Rally After Deadly Storms

News 2004

UUs in the Southeast Rally After Deadly Storms

(September 29, 2004) The four hurricanes that slammed into Florida over the past six weeks have also taken a heavy toll on communities further inland. The last two hurricanes, Ivan and Jeanne, brought heavy winds and torrential rains that lasted for days after first making landfall. Unitarian Universalist congregations in the Florida and Mid-South Districts were especially hard-hit.

Eunice Benton, District Executive for the Mid-South District, reported that the Pensacola area was directly in the path of Hurricane Ivan, and several members of the UU Church of Pensacola lost their homes in that storm. UUs in Alabama's Fairhope and Mobile congregations were also severely affected, and in both cases huge fallen trees had to be removed to allow safe access to the church properties. Ivan blasted through Panama City, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, and continued its destruction as it made its way north through Atlanta and beyond.

Eunice Benton

In response to the urgent need across the district, a 'partner church' arrangement was quickly set up to connect the coastal congregations with ones further inland so that the hardest-hit areas could receive much needed support from their partners. Ten days after the establishment of a relief fund, Eunice Benton reports that the District has already received $10,000, which is being applied to the cases of greatest need. Touched by this generosity, Benton commented, “The outpouring of care has reminded us of the healing power of human connection and love. Our Mid-South UU family has truly ministered -- to our own, as well as to our communities."

Contributions may be sent to:

Mid-South/UUA Hurricane Relief Fund
c/o Ann Green, Treasurer
827 Sutton Hill Rd,
Nashville TN 37204
Checks should be made out to Mid-South/UUA and marked for ‘hurricane relief fund.'

Sorrow and Hope at The Mountain

The beautiful property of the Mountain Retreat and Learning Centers lies in the middle of a North Carolina community that was hit hard by the remnants of Ivan. Shelley Jackson Denham, spokesperson for The Mountain, reported that she and her colleagues are mourning the loss of a former co-worker, Sharon McCollum . McCollum was home with her family in a small town about fifteen miles from the center when their house was destroyed by a mudslide. The tragedy also claimed the life of McCollum's young grandson and seriously injured her daughter-in-law, who was also a former staff member at The Mountain. Acknowledging the widespread suffering caused by the series of storms, Denham commented, “Losing our friend Sharon has put a very personal face to the news stories. It's been a sad time in this area, as it has in many others where the losses have been even greater.”

Denham was relieved to report that all those staying at The Mountain itself were spared. “We were very lucky. We are all okay. We did have some property damage, but fortunately we are insured.” The community at The Mountain responded to the crisis by offering their facilities as a shelter in future times of need. They are currently planning significant upgrades to their generator system in order to fulfill this mission. Denham said, “Here at The Mountain we count our blessings and we are even more determined to live our faith and values through supporting our neighbors in whatever way we can.” The community has been touched by the many inquiries from UUs eager to help. Click here for more information about The Mountain .

Finally, it is the communities in Florida that have suffered the most throughout the past six weeks. Contributions continue to be accepted for the disaster relief fund of the Florida District. If you wish to contribute, please send your contribution to:

Florida District-UUA
1901 E. Robinson St. #18
Orlando FL 32803
Please include "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line of the check.

More Information:

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100