Disaster Relief Aid
CWS Hygiene Kits
For the month of February 2025, we will be collecting hygiene products to donate to the families who live in California who were affected by the California Wildfires. Our youth will work on putting together packages to ship to California. All donations may be dropped off in the church auditorium. We are donating through the Church World Service (CWS).
Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts
The following article is provided by the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries:
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as a category 5 storm. With sustained wind speeds more than 175 mph, Melissa is the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica since records began being kept. As of October 30th, most of the island remains without power, telecommunications and other basic utilities. Presently, 13,000 people in Jamaica remain in shelters across the island and 34 fatalities have been reported – a number that is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
After making its way across Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa made a second landfall on Cuba’s southeastern shore as a Category 3 storm and inflicted significant flooding and wind damage across the southeastern part of the country.
In Haiti, heavy sustained winds from Hurricane Melissa’s rain bands and significant storm surge led to severe flooding and landslides. Authorities in Haiti report 25 fatalities, with that number also expected to rise in the coming days.
The United Church of Christ is issuing an appeal to support the immediate and long-term needs of affected communities across the region. The primary needs at this stage of recovery are shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and food. In the coming days and weeks, the focus will shift to debris removal and restoration of access. Long-term support for reconstruction of homes, recovery of livelihoods, and restoration of community services will be essential in the days, months, and years ahead.
Through ACT Alliance’s Rapid Response Fund and our long-standing partnership with Church World Service, the UCC is already working to get resources for those that need them across the region. Through Global Ministries, we are also in contact with our partners in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti and are working quickly to accompany and support their response efforts.
All donations will be forwarded to the UCC and deposited into the International Emergency Fund designated for “Hurricane Melissa Response.” Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery.
Prayer:
God of love and mercy who sustains us in all of life’s moments,
Be with those whose lives are forever altered by nature’s wrath, and those seeking peace amidst chaos.
Compel the kindness of strangers and friends alike as we surround Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas with solidarity and support in this moment of immense need.
We trust that through your community, our accompaniment may be made known.
May we all know your love and support. Amen.
How to Help
Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery.
(1) You can give securely online by clicking on this Hurricane Melissa Relief Aid link.
(2) If you prefer, you may mail a check payable to “First UCC in Hamburg” marked “Hurricane Melissa Relief Aid”, mail to: First UCC; 76 South 3rd Street; Hamburg, PA 19526.
(3) You can place cash or a check in an envelope marked “Hurricane Melissa Relief Aid” and then simply place the envelope in the offering plate during worship.
Thank you for your help and support.
Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
