Illinois Conference
United Church of Christ
Disaster Response Ministry

The UCC responds to disasters an average of once every 2.5 days.  Initial support comes from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and is followed by special gifts.

Mission Statement

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Illinois Conference Disaster Response Ministry seeks to bring assistance and relief from suffering to all who experience loss in times of public disaster through the faithful use of material and spiritual resources of our local churches and the Conference Staff.  In addition, through a network of trained response coordinators, enable the churches of the Conference to respond to needs created by disasters in the most efficient and helpful manner.

How can I help?  Volunteer

Coordinate disaster relief efforts in your local church. Contact:

Rev. Robert Tripp, Illinois Conference Disaster Response Co-Director

(H) 815-479-1308

or 

Rev. Ben McNeal, Illinois Conference Disaster Response Co-Director

(H) 708-447-4029

How can I help?  Disaster Response Kits

If your church is looking for a mission project, try putting together Disaster Response Kits. These include Personal Care Kits and Cleaning Kits.

The Disaster Ministry will make available to all organizations creating Clean-up Kits, either boxes or buckets.  Boxes require less in them but need to have a bucket purchased.  Buckets, which are 5 gallons with lids, require more items, but will be close to the same cost as a bucket, will not need to be purchased.

PLEASE!  PLEASE!  PLEASE!  Kits have been getting to sites and some have been 1/2 to 3/4 of the contents.  Please include in every kit all the contents listed below.  Thank you.

For Personal Care Kits:

• A bar of soap
• A wash cloth and hand towel
• A disposable razor
• A small container of shave cream
• Six band-aids
• A tooth brush
• A small tube of tooth paste
• A comb
• A small container of deodorant
• A nail file
• A small package of sanitary napkins
• A personal note

Place all items in a ONE-GALLON ZIP-LOCK BAG.  As long as all items fit in the bags, churches may feel free to add any other items they might see fit.  Place as many of these assembled kits as you can into the box.  Be sure you identify the contents on the outside of the box.  Boxes will be provided upon request.  Please call one of the Conference or Association Disaster Coordinators listed and they will see that boxes are delivered and then picked up when filled.  If at all possible we would appreciate enclosing a check in any amount to help defray the cost of delivery, pick up, boxes, shipping to disaster area, etc.  Make check out to Illinois Conference Disaster Ministry.  Thank you.

The Disaster Readiness Ministry has been busy supplying clean up kits to the Hurricane Katrina area.  In addition we have sent kits to Indiana and Central Illinois for tonado recovery.  Our inventory of cleaning kits is almost exhuasted.  They are needed and very appreciated.

You church can help replenish our supply.  Boxes will be supplied and completed kits will be picked up if you notify Bob Tripp at rjtripp@ameritech.net or by calling, 815-479-1308, or by contancting Ben McNeal at aandbmc@msn.com or by calling, 708-702-5342.  Your Association Coordinators who are listed on this link can als be contacted for further information.

For Kits in Boxes:

• 3-5 Respirator Masks
• A bucket (a common household 2 1/2 gallon size is good)
• A scrub brush (the larger the better)
• A wire brush (the preferred wire brush is one often used for metal cleaning and is frequently supplied with a wood handle - please no small grill cleaning brushes)
• A pair of heavy duty rubber gloves
• A large heavy duty sponge (small sponges will not do); 6" x 10" or larger 
• 10 to 15 plastic trash bags (an entire box is not necessary)
• A gallon bottle of disinfectant cleaner as large as will fit in the bucket (the product, Clorox Cleanup has been found to be very good, but other products such as Pine-Sol or Lysol are okay)
• PLEASE NOTE:  Clorox Cleanup does not denote Clorox Bleach!  Bleach has been found ot not be as acceptable fo cleaning as other items listed.  Be sure it is One Gallon
• A personal note

 A common box size of 12" x 12" x 12" has been established.  This simplifies shipping and storage.  Boxes will be supplied and complted kits will be picked up if you notify any of the Conference or Association Disaster Coordinators.  It is important that all buckets fit this size box.  Common 2 1/2 gallon household buckets usually will.  Please nothing smaller. 

If at all possible we would appreciate enclosing a check in any amount to help defray the cost of delivery, pick-up, boxes, shipping to disaster area, etc.  Make the check pable to Illinois Conference Disaster Ministry.  Thank you.

For Kits in Buckets:

• 3-5 Respirator Masks
• A bucket (5 gallon buckets will be supplied.  Contact your Association Coordinator or Conference Coordinator as listed)
• A scrub brush (the larger the better)
• A wire brush (the preferred wire brush is one often used for metal cleaning and is frequently supplied with a wood handle - please no small grill cleaning brushes)
• A pair of heavy duty rubber gloves
• A large heavy duty sponge (small sponges will not do); 6" x 10" or larger 
• 10 to 15 plastic trash bags (an entire box is not necessary)
• A gallon bottle of disinfectant cleaner as large as will fit in the bucket (the product, Clorox Cleanup has been found to be very good, but other products such as Pine-Sol or Lysol are okay)
• PLEASE NOTE:  Clorox Cleanup does not denote Clorox Bleach!  Bleach has been found ot not be as acceptable fo cleaning as other items listed.  Be sure it is One Gallon
• Clothesline
• Clothespins
• Scouring pads or tteel wool
• A personal note

Five gallon buckets for these kits are avaiable from any of the Conference or Association Coordinators listed below.  Call your coordinator and they will be delivered to you.

If at all possible we would appreciate enclosing a check in any amount to help defray the cost of delivery, pick-up, boxes, shipping to disaster area, etc.  Make the check payable to Illinois Conference Disaster Ministry.  Thank you.