Wenatchee First United Methodist Church rallied quickly to collect over 100 pounds of hygiene supplies in just a few days after learning that members were traveling to a region hard hit by Hurricane Helene. The congregation’s generosity filled two suitcases packed to their 50-pound limit, and additional supplies will be used to assist wildfire victims in northern Washington.
Before the hurricane was even expected, Rev. Denise McGuiness, a retired deacon, and her husband, Phil, planned to fly into Asheville, North Carolina, to visit family there. Quick thinking and speedy generosity transformed that planned trip into an opportunity to deliver needed resources from the northwest to the southeast.
“We wanted to offer help that was truly needed during this emergency,” said Rev. McGuiness.
In addition to traveling with the supplies, the McGuiness’s brought financial contributions from the church, which allowed them to purchase essential clothing and winter items for local relief efforts. Once on the ground, they worked with three churches with experience from a previous hurricane to distribute aid in an area where FEMA assistance takes time to arrive.
The church’s quick response highlights its commitment to giving and meaningful recovery efforts in times of crisis. Wenatchee First UMC has a longstanding history of disaster relief. It has supported wildfire recovery efforts in Omak and Okanagan and donates regularly to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
“We know that in the immediate aftermath of a storm, dealing with material goods can be challenging for those on the ground,” shared Wenatchee First UMC Pastor Debbie Sperry. “We wanted to be mindful of offering the help that was appropriate and necessary at this time in the emergency response.”
The McGuinesses plan to stay in North Carolina for two weeks, joining local churches and county efforts to support storm recovery. This week, they plan to give blood and assist a Presbyterian church in preparing for a craft fair that was canceled due to the hurricane.
How you can help
While Wenatchee First UMC and the McGuinesses had a preexisting travel opportunity and connection to several local churches to utilize and coordinate with, when those connections aren’t present, sending items to a disaster-impacted region can cause more problems than it solves. Disaster relief groups often refer to the arrival of unneeded things as a ‘second disaster’ as valuable resources are drawn away from the community’s urgent needs toward managing the logistical challenges of receiving assistance that isn’t aligned with those needs. In contrast, financial donations empower relief agencies and community groups on the ground to be more responsive to those needs as they emerge.
Thankfully, United Methodists have a great way to respond when they see heartbreaking devastation in the United States and around the world. Our mission agency, UMCOR, responds to disasters by working with communities and local partners. When a disaster overwhelms a community’s ability to recover on its own, UMCOR provides essential relief supplies and supports long-term rebuilding efforts. While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, it stands ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery until a “new normal” is established after a crisis. “Early in and last out” is a guiding principle of UMCOR.
Currently, UMCOR is providing relief kits to the Conferences affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Your financial gift will put these kits in the hands of survivors and give them hope. Support UMCOR with your contribution at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901440/
Early in 2025, training for Early Response Teams (ERTs) that can work locally or be deployed upon invitation to places like those impacted by recent hurricanes is expected. Keep your eyes open for more information about these opportunities when they are scheduled.
Special thanks to Revs. Denise McGuiness and Debbie Sperry for their assistance with this story.
